預備時候－之29
於2010-07-29發佈
魔鬼誘惑人類的首要策略，就是使我們的第一代父母懷疑神的話─『神豈是真那樣說？』一旦牠使人們懷疑神所說的，很快就會使他們懷疑神對他們的意圖。牠的陰謀是要使他們覺得被神拒絕了，因為祂對他們隱瞞一些事情。跌倒的基督徒常常經歷此相同的模式。
有趣的是，我們的憲法也以同樣的方式受到攻擊與侵蝕。首先，我們被鼓勵質疑憲法所說的，若行不通，就質疑寫憲法之建國父老的意圖。若仍沒有用，我們被鼓勵相信憲法不過是原始農業社會的產物，不屬於現代社會，因此不再切題。事實上，憲法是以簡單明瞭的英文所寫成，以致於對那些覺得讀它很麻煩的人也清楚易懂。此外，它與農業社會或現代社會毫無關係，不過是讓人性得著權力時的腐敗傾向受到制衡。他們的智慧是根據真理，而此真理已被每一個時代的人證實，因為它不倚靠人所在的環境，乃是倚靠人裡頭在特定環境所彰顯的神。
要繼續成為強壯的基督徒，與神和祂對世界與時事的觀點結盟，我們必須致力於持續研讀聖經，神給予我們聖經正為著此目的。要站立，我們需要將自己穩固地建造在神的話語，明白並持守健全的教義，我們也需要認出並駁斥仇敵的狡猾。
我們也必須知道，分別善惡樹的『善』的一邊和『惡』的一邊一樣致命─它們兩者有著相同的根源與果子─死亡。人的良善，若不是以神救贖的目的為基礎，就會成為人最大的絆腳石。我們可能看著我們所做的『善工』，對它們感到歡喜，但若做善工成為彌補與償還我們悖逆的一種方式，它們就是對十字架的一種污辱，而我們的善工將會成為使我們遠離十字架的主要事物。
為著人所做的善工歡喜，並感恩別人因此得著幫助是合宜的，即使那不是出於最佳動機，就好像使徒保羅為福音傳開而歡喜，甚至是被那些沒有純正動機的人所傳開的。共產黨員曾經為其他國家做了許多善工，試圖誘使他們加入共產黨。美國也用相同的方式幫助許多國家，為了尋求與他們聯盟而不單是想要幫助有需要的。即便如此，美國人確實有心協助那些需要或在危機中的人，可能是歷史上前所未有的，為此感恩是合宜的。
要讓智慧支配外交政策，我們需要評估我們是如何與他國結盟的，因為有一些國家已經成為卑劣的獨裁者，正無情地對待他們自己的百姓，另一些則成為我們最糟的敵人，例如賓拉登。有時不好的動機會帶來好的結果，有時好的動機則可能帶來不好的結果，但我們不應該停止做好事，只因為它可能會變成不好的結果。
我個人為人們對彼此做的任何好事而歡喜；然而，我確實會留意那些想要給我好處卻動機不明的人。要分辨此很容易，這和分辨出於真心關懷所做的一些好事，還是只是為了服事神的百姓一樣容易。
同樣地，我們的事工從一開始就很大的投入卡翠納風災，儘管我從沒懷疑我們政府工作人員與聯邦應急管理局在那裡救災的心願，但他們的無能遠超過令人灰心─實在令人害怕。不是所有怪罪在聯邦應急管理局的問題都是他們的錯，他們也確實做了一些好事。直到今天，我很感恩能生活在一個至少想要也嘗試協助人民的政府之下，儘管麻煩的是有時無能所造成的損害遠超過好處。
然而，最近政府為人民所做許多好事的意圖似乎比以前來得狡猾。當我們搜尋一些議案時也證實了此，我們發現一些暗中損害我們基本權利的定時炸彈，真的與我們的憲法衝突。這是邪惡的新層級。
我們可以確定，當一份二千七百頁的議案送到國會，完全沒給任何人時間讀它，更不要說研究它了，議案包含了一些他們不想讓我們看見或知道的事情。很令人鼓舞的是，美國人正從中醒悟過來，不再繼續接受那些甜言蜜語說他們心中只有最好的意圖。事實是，人只要擁有百分之二好的意圖，就可以使用其來證明邪惡才是他們真正的動機。人可能擁有百分之九十八好的意圖，但只要有百分之二是邪惡的，仍可以殺人。老鼠藥裡面百分之九十八是好的食物，只有百分之二的毒藥；是好的食物吸引了受害者上當。塞進國會裡的一些議案是好的，只是裡面所暗藏的，對我們自由的非常根基構成嚴重威脅。
分辨力是我們此時最迫切需要的聖靈恩賜之一。我們上面所談論的事目前正在政府裡面發生，也遍及整體社會中。我們要如何擁有分辨力呢？首先我們為著分辨力來禱告，然後來認識神的話。若連是神的話的耶穌，都會站立在『經上記著話』，我們豈不更應該這樣做嗎？
(摘自 喬納 word for the week, Week 29, 2010)
预备时候－之29 (雷克乔纳)
魔鬼诱惑人类的首要策略，就是使我们的第一代父母怀疑神的话─『神岂是真那样说？』一旦牠使人们怀疑神所说的，很快就会使他们怀疑神对他们的意图。牠的阴谋是要使他们觉得被神拒绝了，因为祂对他们隐瞒一些事情。跌倒的基督徒常常经历此相同的模式。
有趣的是，我们的宪法也以同样的方式受到攻击与侵蚀。首先，我们被鼓励质疑宪法所说的，若行不通，就质疑写宪法之建国父老的意图。若仍没有用，我们被鼓励相信宪法不过是原始农业社会的产物，不属于现代社会，因此不再切题。事实上，宪法是以简单明了的英文所写成，以致于对那些觉得读它很麻烦的人也清楚易懂。此外，它与农业社会或现代社会毫无关系，不过是让人性得着权力时的腐败倾向受到制衡。他们的智慧是根据真理，而此真理已被每一个时代的人证实，因为它不倚靠人所在的环境，乃是倚靠人里头在特定环境所彰显的神。
要继续成为强壮的基督徒，与神和祂对世界与时事的观点结盟，我们必须致力于持续研读圣经，神给予我们圣经正为着此目的。要站立，我们需要将自己稳固地建造在神的话语，明白并持守健全的教义，我们也需要认出并驳斥仇敌的狡猾。
我们也必须知道，分别善恶树的『善』的一边和『恶』的一边一样致命─它们两者有着相同的根源与果子─死亡。人的良善，若不是以神救赎的目的为基础，就会成为人最大的绊脚石。我们可能看着我们所做的『善工』，对它们感到欢喜，但若做善工成为弥补与偿还我们悖逆的一种方式，它们就是对十字架的一种污辱，而我们的善工将会成为使我们远离十字架的主要事物。
为着人所做的善工欢喜，并感恩别人因此得着帮助是合宜的，即使那不是出于最佳动机，就好像使徒保罗为福音传开而欢喜，甚至是被那些没有纯正动机的人所传开的。共产党员曾经为其它国家做了许多善工，试图诱使他们加入共产党。美国也用相同的方式帮助许多国家，为了寻求与他们联盟而不单是想要帮助有需要的。即便如此，美国人确实有心协助那些需要或在危机中的人，可能是历史上前所未有的，为此感恩是合宜的。
要让智慧支配外交政策，我们需要评估我们是如何与他国结盟的，因为有一些国家已经成为卑劣的独裁者，正无情地对待他们自己的百姓，另一些则成为我们最糟的敌人，例如宾拉登。有时不好的动机会带来好的结果，有时好的动机则可能带来不好的结果，但我们不应该停止做好事，只因为它可能会变成不好的结果。
我个人为人们对彼此做的任何好事而欢喜；然而，我确实会留意那些想要给我好处却动机不明的人。要分辨此很容易，这和分辨出于真心关怀所做的一些好事，还是只是为了服事神的百姓一样容易。
同样地，我们的事工从一开始就很大的投入卡翠纳风灾，尽管我从没怀疑我们政府工作人员与联邦应急管理局在那里救灾的心愿，但他们的无能远超过令人灰心─实在令人害怕。不是所有怪罪在联邦应急管理局的问题都是他们的错，他们也确实做了一些好事。直到今天，我很感恩能生活在一个至少想要也尝试协助人民的政府之下，尽管麻烦的是有时无能所造成的损害远超过好处。
然而，最近政府为人民所做许多好事的意图似乎比以前来得狡猾。当我们搜寻一些议案时也证实了此，我们发现一些暗中损害我们基本权利的定时炸弹，真的与我们的宪法冲突。这是邪恶的新层级。
我们可以确定，当一份二千七百页的议案送到国会，完全没给任何人时间读它，更不要说研究它了，议案包含了一些他们不想让我们看见或知道的事情。很令人鼓舞的是，美国人正从中醒悟过来，不再继续接受那些甜言蜜语说他们心中只有最好的意图。事实是，人只要拥有百分之二好的意图，就可以使用其来证明邪恶才是他们真正的动机。人可能拥有百分之九十八好的意图，但只要有百分之二是邪恶的，仍可以杀人。老鼠药里面百分之九十八是好的食物，只有百分之二的毒药；是好的食物吸引了受害者上当。塞进国会里的一些议案是好的，只是里面所暗藏的，对我们自由的非常根基构成严重威胁。
分辨力是我们此时最迫切需要的圣灵恩赐之一。我们上面所谈论的事目前正在政府里面发生，也遍及整体社会中。我们要如何拥有分辨力呢？首先我们为着分辨力来祷告，然后来认识神的话。若连是神的话的耶稣，都会站立在『经上记着话』，我们岂不更应该这样做吗？
(摘自 乔纳 word for the week, Week 29, 2010)
Prepared for the Times, Part 29
Week 29, 2010
The first strategy of the devil to seduce mankind was to get our first parents to doubt the Word of God—“Did God really say that?” Once he got them to doubt what He had said, it was just a short step to getting them to doubt God’s intentions for them. From there, his ploy was to get them to feel rejected by God because He was holding something back from them. Christians who have been caused to stumble often go through this same pattern.
It is interesting that this is the same way our Constitution has been attacked and eroded. First, we have been encouraged to question what it really says, and then if that does not work, to question the intentions of the Founders who wrote it. If that does not work, we’re encouraged to believe that it was a document written for a primitive agrarian society, not the modern world, and it is therefore no longer relevant. Actually, it was written in plain English so that it is would be clear to those who would bother to read it. It also had nothing to do with agrarian or modern societies, but rather the fundamental corruptibility of men when given power and how to keep this corruption in check. Their wisdom has been based on truths that have been proven in every age of men because it is not dependent on the circumstances men are in, but rather what is in men that will manifest in certain circumstances.
To remain strong Christians who are aligned with God and His perspective of the world and current events, we must be devoted to a constant study of the Scriptures, which were given to us for this purpose. To stand, we need to establish ourselves solidly in the Word of God, knowing and holding to sound doctrine, and we need to recognize and refute the craftiness of our enemy.
We must also understand that the “good” side of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil is just as deadly as the “evil” side of that tree—they both have the same root and the same fruit—death. Human goodness, which is not based on the redemptive purposes of God, will always be one of the biggest stumbling blocks to men. We can look at “good works” and be pleased at them, but if they are being done as a way to compensate and pay for our rebellion, then they are an affront to the cross, and our own good works can be one of the primary things that keep us from the cross.
Just as the Apostle Paul rejoiced in the gospel being preached even by those who did not have good motives, it is fine to rejoice in the good works that men do and be thankful that others are being helped, even if it is not being done with the best motives. The communists used to do many good works for other nations to try to seduce them with communism, and America has done much of the same with its aid, seeking allies rather than just trying to help the needy. Even so, Americans do have a heart for helping the needy or those who are in crisis that may be unprecedented in history, and it is right to be thankful for this.
Wisdom would dictate that as a foreign policy, we need to evaluate how we make our allies because some have turned out to be despicable dictators who have ruthlessly treated their own people, and some turned into our own worst enemies, such as Osama bin Laden. Bad intentions can sometimes result in good, and good intentions can sometimes result in bad, but we shouldn’t stop doing good because it might turn out bad.
I personally rejoice at any good that people do for one another. However, I do watch out for those I sense want to do me favors but have ulterior motives. It is quite easy to discern this, as well as it is to discern those who truly want to do some good out of genuine care or as just serving one of God’s people.
Likewise, we were very much involved in the Hurricane Katrina disaster from the beginning, and though I never doubted the desire of our government workers there with FEMA, the incompetence was more than discouraging—it was scary. Not all of the problems that were blamed on FEMA was their fault, and they did do some good. To this day, I am very thankful to live under a government that at least wants and tries to help its people, even if it has become so cumbersome that its incompetence sometimes causes more harm than good.
However, lately the government’s intentions to do many good things for its citizens seem far more crafty than ever before. This is confirmed when we dig through some of the bills and find the time bombs that undermine our basic rights, which really are in conflict with the Constitution. This is a new level of evil.
We can be sure that when a 2,700 page bill is sent through Congress without giving anyone time to even read it, much less study it, it includes things they do not want us to see or know about. Americans are waking up to this, and very encouragingly, are not continuing to accept the sweet talk from those who say they only have our best intentions in mind. In truth, men can have 2 percent good intentions and use that to justify the evil that is their true motive. They can have 98 percent good intentions, but that 2 percent, which is evil, can kill. Rat poison is 98 percent good food and just 2 percent poison. It is the good food that draws the victims. Some of the bills being rammed through Congress have good in them, but it is what is hidden that is becoming a serious threat to the very foundation of our liberty.
Discernment is one of the most desperately needed gifts of the Spirit that we need at this time. What we are discussing above, and is now happening in the government, is also permeating society in general. How do we get this discernment? We pray for discernment, and then we get to know God’s Word. If Jesus, who was the Word of God, would take His stand on “It is written…” how much more should we?
有趣的是，我們的憲法也以同樣的方式受到攻擊與侵蝕。首先，我們被鼓勵質疑憲法所說的，若行不通，就質疑寫憲法之建國父老的意圖。若仍沒有用，我們被鼓勵相信憲法不過是原始農業社會的產物，不屬於現代社會，因此不再切題。事實上，憲法是以簡單明瞭的英文所寫成，以致於對那些覺得讀它很麻煩的人也清楚易懂。此外，它與農業社會或現代社會毫無關係，不過是讓人性得著權力時的腐敗傾向受到制衡。他們的智慧是根據真理，而此真理已被每一個時代的人證實，因為它不倚靠人所在的環境，乃是倚靠人裡頭在特定環境所彰顯的神。
要繼續成為強壯的基督徒，與神和祂對世界與時事的觀點結盟，我們必須致力於持續研讀聖經，神給予我們聖經正為著此目的。要站立，我們需要將自己穩固地建造在神的話語，明白並持守健全的教義，我們也需要認出並駁斥仇敵的狡猾。
我們也必須知道，分別善惡樹的『善』的一邊和『惡』的一邊一樣致命─它們兩者有著相同的根源與果子─死亡。人的良善，若不是以神救贖的目的為基礎，就會成為人最大的絆腳石。我們可能看著我們所做的『善工』，對它們感到歡喜，但若做善工成為彌補與償還我們悖逆的一種方式，它們就是對十字架的一種污辱，而我們的善工將會成為使我們遠離十字架的主要事物。
為著人所做的善工歡喜，並感恩別人因此得著幫助是合宜的，即使那不是出於最佳動機，就好像使徒保羅為福音傳開而歡喜，甚至是被那些沒有純正動機的人所傳開的。共產黨員曾經為其他國家做了許多善工，試圖誘使他們加入共產黨。美國也用相同的方式幫助許多國家，為了尋求與他們聯盟而不單是想要幫助有需要的。即便如此，美國人確實有心協助那些需要或在危機中的人，可能是歷史上前所未有的，為此感恩是合宜的。
要讓智慧支配外交政策，我們需要評估我們是如何與他國結盟的，因為有一些國家已經成為卑劣的獨裁者，正無情地對待他們自己的百姓，另一些則成為我們最糟的敵人，例如賓拉登。有時不好的動機會帶來好的結果，有時好的動機則可能帶來不好的結果，但我們不應該停止做好事，只因為它可能會變成不好的結果。
我個人為人們對彼此做的任何好事而歡喜；然而，我確實會留意那些想要給我好處卻動機不明的人。要分辨此很容易，這和分辨出於真心關懷所做的一些好事，還是只是為了服事神的百姓一樣容易。
同樣地，我們的事工從一開始就很大的投入卡翠納風災，儘管我從沒懷疑我們政府工作人員與聯邦應急管理局在那裡救災的心願，但他們的無能遠超過令人灰心─實在令人害怕。不是所有怪罪在聯邦應急管理局的問題都是他們的錯，他們也確實做了一些好事。直到今天，我很感恩能生活在一個至少想要也嘗試協助人民的政府之下，儘管麻煩的是有時無能所造成的損害遠超過好處。
然而，最近政府為人民所做許多好事的意圖似乎比以前來得狡猾。當我們搜尋一些議案時也證實了此，我們發現一些暗中損害我們基本權利的定時炸彈，真的與我們的憲法衝突。這是邪惡的新層級。
我們可以確定，當一份二千七百頁的議案送到國會，完全沒給任何人時間讀它，更不要說研究它了，議案包含了一些他們不想讓我們看見或知道的事情。很令人鼓舞的是，美國人正從中醒悟過來，不再繼續接受那些甜言蜜語說他們心中只有最好的意圖。事實是，人只要擁有百分之二好的意圖，就可以使用其來證明邪惡才是他們真正的動機。人可能擁有百分之九十八好的意圖，但只要有百分之二是邪惡的，仍可以殺人。老鼠藥裡面百分之九十八是好的食物，只有百分之二的毒藥；是好的食物吸引了受害者上當。塞進國會裡的一些議案是好的，只是裡面所暗藏的，對我們自由的非常根基構成嚴重威脅。
分辨力是我們此時最迫切需要的聖靈恩賜之一。我們上面所談論的事目前正在政府裡面發生，也遍及整體社會中。我們要如何擁有分辨力呢？首先我們為著分辨力來禱告，然後來認識神的話。若連是神的話的耶穌，都會站立在『經上記著話』，我們豈不更應該這樣做嗎？
(摘自 喬納 word for the week, Week 29, 2010)
预备时候－之29 (雷克乔纳)
魔鬼诱惑人类的首要策略，就是使我们的第一代父母怀疑神的话─『神岂是真那样说？』一旦牠使人们怀疑神所说的，很快就会使他们怀疑神对他们的意图。牠的阴谋是要使他们觉得被神拒绝了，因为祂对他们隐瞒一些事情。跌倒的基督徒常常经历此相同的模式。
有趣的是，我们的宪法也以同样的方式受到攻击与侵蚀。首先，我们被鼓励质疑宪法所说的，若行不通，就质疑写宪法之建国父老的意图。若仍没有用，我们被鼓励相信宪法不过是原始农业社会的产物，不属于现代社会，因此不再切题。事实上，宪法是以简单明了的英文所写成，以致于对那些觉得读它很麻烦的人也清楚易懂。此外，它与农业社会或现代社会毫无关系，不过是让人性得着权力时的腐败倾向受到制衡。他们的智慧是根据真理，而此真理已被每一个时代的人证实，因为它不倚靠人所在的环境，乃是倚靠人里头在特定环境所彰显的神。
要继续成为强壮的基督徒，与神和祂对世界与时事的观点结盟，我们必须致力于持续研读圣经，神给予我们圣经正为着此目的。要站立，我们需要将自己稳固地建造在神的话语，明白并持守健全的教义，我们也需要认出并驳斥仇敌的狡猾。
我们也必须知道，分别善恶树的『善』的一边和『恶』的一边一样致命─它们两者有着相同的根源与果子─死亡。人的良善，若不是以神救赎的目的为基础，就会成为人最大的绊脚石。我们可能看着我们所做的『善工』，对它们感到欢喜，但若做善工成为弥补与偿还我们悖逆的一种方式，它们就是对十字架的一种污辱，而我们的善工将会成为使我们远离十字架的主要事物。
为着人所做的善工欢喜，并感恩别人因此得着帮助是合宜的，即使那不是出于最佳动机，就好像使徒保罗为福音传开而欢喜，甚至是被那些没有纯正动机的人所传开的。共产党员曾经为其它国家做了许多善工，试图诱使他们加入共产党。美国也用相同的方式帮助许多国家，为了寻求与他们联盟而不单是想要帮助有需要的。即便如此，美国人确实有心协助那些需要或在危机中的人，可能是历史上前所未有的，为此感恩是合宜的。
要让智慧支配外交政策，我们需要评估我们是如何与他国结盟的，因为有一些国家已经成为卑劣的独裁者，正无情地对待他们自己的百姓，另一些则成为我们最糟的敌人，例如宾拉登。有时不好的动机会带来好的结果，有时好的动机则可能带来不好的结果，但我们不应该停止做好事，只因为它可能会变成不好的结果。
我个人为人们对彼此做的任何好事而欢喜；然而，我确实会留意那些想要给我好处却动机不明的人。要分辨此很容易，这和分辨出于真心关怀所做的一些好事，还是只是为了服事神的百姓一样容易。
同样地，我们的事工从一开始就很大的投入卡翠纳风灾，尽管我从没怀疑我们政府工作人员与联邦应急管理局在那里救灾的心愿，但他们的无能远超过令人灰心─实在令人害怕。不是所有怪罪在联邦应急管理局的问题都是他们的错，他们也确实做了一些好事。直到今天，我很感恩能生活在一个至少想要也尝试协助人民的政府之下，尽管麻烦的是有时无能所造成的损害远超过好处。
然而，最近政府为人民所做许多好事的意图似乎比以前来得狡猾。当我们搜寻一些议案时也证实了此，我们发现一些暗中损害我们基本权利的定时炸弹，真的与我们的宪法冲突。这是邪恶的新层级。
我们可以确定，当一份二千七百页的议案送到国会，完全没给任何人时间读它，更不要说研究它了，议案包含了一些他们不想让我们看见或知道的事情。很令人鼓舞的是，美国人正从中醒悟过来，不再继续接受那些甜言蜜语说他们心中只有最好的意图。事实是，人只要拥有百分之二好的意图，就可以使用其来证明邪恶才是他们真正的动机。人可能拥有百分之九十八好的意图，但只要有百分之二是邪恶的，仍可以杀人。老鼠药里面百分之九十八是好的食物，只有百分之二的毒药；是好的食物吸引了受害者上当。塞进国会里的一些议案是好的，只是里面所暗藏的，对我们自由的非常根基构成严重威胁。
分辨力是我们此时最迫切需要的圣灵恩赐之一。我们上面所谈论的事目前正在政府里面发生，也遍及整体社会中。我们要如何拥有分辨力呢？首先我们为着分辨力来祷告，然后来认识神的话。若连是神的话的耶稣，都会站立在『经上记着话』，我们岂不更应该这样做吗？
(摘自 乔纳 word for the week, Week 29, 2010)
Prepared for the Times, Part 29
Week 29, 2010
The first strategy of the devil to seduce mankind was to get our first parents to doubt the Word of God—“Did God really say that?” Once he got them to doubt what He had said, it was just a short step to getting them to doubt God’s intentions for them. From there, his ploy was to get them to feel rejected by God because He was holding something back from them. Christians who have been caused to stumble often go through this same pattern.
It is interesting that this is the same way our Constitution has been attacked and eroded. First, we have been encouraged to question what it really says, and then if that does not work, to question the intentions of the Founders who wrote it. If that does not work, we’re encouraged to believe that it was a document written for a primitive agrarian society, not the modern world, and it is therefore no longer relevant. Actually, it was written in plain English so that it is would be clear to those who would bother to read it. It also had nothing to do with agrarian or modern societies, but rather the fundamental corruptibility of men when given power and how to keep this corruption in check. Their wisdom has been based on truths that have been proven in every age of men because it is not dependent on the circumstances men are in, but rather what is in men that will manifest in certain circumstances.
To remain strong Christians who are aligned with God and His perspective of the world and current events, we must be devoted to a constant study of the Scriptures, which were given to us for this purpose. To stand, we need to establish ourselves solidly in the Word of God, knowing and holding to sound doctrine, and we need to recognize and refute the craftiness of our enemy.
We must also understand that the “good” side of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil is just as deadly as the “evil” side of that tree—they both have the same root and the same fruit—death. Human goodness, which is not based on the redemptive purposes of God, will always be one of the biggest stumbling blocks to men. We can look at “good works” and be pleased at them, but if they are being done as a way to compensate and pay for our rebellion, then they are an affront to the cross, and our own good works can be one of the primary things that keep us from the cross.
Just as the Apostle Paul rejoiced in the gospel being preached even by those who did not have good motives, it is fine to rejoice in the good works that men do and be thankful that others are being helped, even if it is not being done with the best motives. The communists used to do many good works for other nations to try to seduce them with communism, and America has done much of the same with its aid, seeking allies rather than just trying to help the needy. Even so, Americans do have a heart for helping the needy or those who are in crisis that may be unprecedented in history, and it is right to be thankful for this.
Wisdom would dictate that as a foreign policy, we need to evaluate how we make our allies because some have turned out to be despicable dictators who have ruthlessly treated their own people, and some turned into our own worst enemies, such as Osama bin Laden. Bad intentions can sometimes result in good, and good intentions can sometimes result in bad, but we shouldn’t stop doing good because it might turn out bad.
I personally rejoice at any good that people do for one another. However, I do watch out for those I sense want to do me favors but have ulterior motives. It is quite easy to discern this, as well as it is to discern those who truly want to do some good out of genuine care or as just serving one of God’s people.
Likewise, we were very much involved in the Hurricane Katrina disaster from the beginning, and though I never doubted the desire of our government workers there with FEMA, the incompetence was more than discouraging—it was scary. Not all of the problems that were blamed on FEMA was their fault, and they did do some good. To this day, I am very thankful to live under a government that at least wants and tries to help its people, even if it has become so cumbersome that its incompetence sometimes causes more harm than good.
However, lately the government’s intentions to do many good things for its citizens seem far more crafty than ever before. This is confirmed when we dig through some of the bills and find the time bombs that undermine our basic rights, which really are in conflict with the Constitution. This is a new level of evil.
We can be sure that when a 2,700 page bill is sent through Congress without giving anyone time to even read it, much less study it, it includes things they do not want us to see or know about. Americans are waking up to this, and very encouragingly, are not continuing to accept the sweet talk from those who say they only have our best intentions in mind. In truth, men can have 2 percent good intentions and use that to justify the evil that is their true motive. They can have 98 percent good intentions, but that 2 percent, which is evil, can kill. Rat poison is 98 percent good food and just 2 percent poison. It is the good food that draws the victims. Some of the bills being rammed through Congress have good in them, but it is what is hidden that is becoming a serious threat to the very foundation of our liberty.
Discernment is one of the most desperately needed gifts of the Spirit that we need at this time. What we are discussing above, and is now happening in the government, is also permeating society in general. How do we get this discernment? We pray for discernment, and then we get to know God’s Word. If Jesus, who was the Word of God, would take His stand on “It is written…” how much more should we?