When our Youth Pastor arrived at Church, he said “I don’t want to hear what is wrong in the world, but what JESUS is doing.” I agree with the sentiment, but see the problems of this world as confirmation that GOD’s WORD is true. When we are talking about the world falling apart, I ask our Senior Pastor “Did you check the Bible to see if it changed?” He will laugh and say “No way Brother, it’s “settled in Heaven” (Psa 119:89 KJV). The Bible warns “evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived” (2 Tim 3:13 KJV) and “ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass…For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places” (Mat 24:6-7 KJV). We are seeing this come to pass right before our eyes.
I also believe we need to know what is going on in our world and actively engage the enemy in the spirit realm “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Eph 6:12 KJV). In years past, the Church passively allowed abortion to become law and stood by as GOD was expelled from public schools in our country. Those early defeats set the stage for much of the degeneration we are seeing today. The HOLY SPIRIT gives us power to bind and loose (Mat 18:18) and we need to turn back the tide. In addition, we who have the freedom to vote must pray for wisdom and vote for Godly representatives. We may even be called to enter into the political arena and serve ourselves. It’s not to change the ending of the world, but to change the ending of souls. The world needs to hear about JESUS!
I also see problems as opportunities to pray for people and change hearts and lives. While reaching out to hurting people, we can show GOD’s love and mercy. We may need to listen to what they are going through to get to what GOD wants to do for them. JESUS said “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 KJV). That is a comforting message in this troubled world.
Be aware that “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Prov 18:21 KJV). When we discuss problems, we should also speak what GOD says about it, much like our Youth Pastor said. Use it as an opportunity to tell what GOD has done, is doing or wants to do in the situation. Resist the temptation to condemn people and quote a scripture to back up your attack. Redirect the conversation to how much GOD loves them and what JESUS did at Calvary. Salvation is the priority in these discussions, but they won’t be open to that if they don’t see GOD’s love. They don’t need religion; they need a relationship with a loving FATHER who has the answers they are desperate for. They need the Good News!
Wayne Lance (2020)