Fear in the church: Too many of God’s people afraid to fight

[1LoverofGod]

**This is a pitiful yet accurate assessment of where many churches have gone in fulfilment of the scriptures about where many in the church would go as one of the signs of the last days and of the coming of our Lord Jesus....
Yes, pitiful, yet a time to rejoice that as these things begin to happen, we Know that our Redemption draws near Luke 21:28


"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils"
1 Timothy 4:1


"The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe."
Proverbs 29:25

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Sixty-nine percent of Protestant pastors in a Lifeway Research survey said they see a “growing sense of fear” among their congregants, and another 63%, that their pews are also filled with people who feel “dread” about the “future of Christianity” in America and around the world

This is not from God. That’s Satan.


That’s a show of the success of Satan to infect the churches with feelings and outlooks that are decidedly unbiblical, ungodly and moreover, weak. No wonder America’s taken such a sharp turn down the path of socialism, secularism and immorality in recent times. Christians have been afraid to fight.

The good news is these numbers represent a downturn from 2010, when 76% of Protestant pastors said to this same Lifeway Research firm they saw a growing fear among their flocks about the future of the nation and the world. The bad news is: significant numbers are still fear-filled. Today’s churches are still filled with nail-biting, anxious, fearful Christians.

“Compared to a decade ago,” said Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research, “a few more churches today are avoiding the impulse to fear changes and adversity around them. But a large majority of pastors see their congregations moving toward fear rather than away from it.”

Fear is not of God.

Faith cannot coexist with fear.

And the biggest problem with a fear-filled batch of church-goers is they don’t fight. They don’t fight for the culture; they don’t fight for the political system; they don’t fight for education. They don’t fight for American Exceptionalism, the concept that says rights come from God and governments are put in place only to protect those God-given rights. How to have a nation of God-given liberty if God is removed? Impossible. Government steps into the void and fulfills the role of provider — of savior — of God. Satan and his minions step into the void and pretend to fulfill the role of provider — of savior — of God.

The battle of principalities wages.
*(Ephesians 6:12-20)

Absent from the battle field are those who are supposed to be best-equipped to fight on the side of God. ‘We live in this world, not of this world’ — the fearful Christian tells himself, so as to avoid responsibility for fleeing the battlefield.

But thing is, when the churches cede the battleground; when the churches grow quiet; when church-goers grow weak and fear-filled and complacent — the churches themselves eventually become just as rotted and rotten as the rest of the world.

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Fear in the church: Too many of God’s people afraid to fight

Sixty-nine percent of Protestant pastors in a Lifeway Research survey said they see a “growing sense of fear” among their congregants, and another 63%, that their pews are also filled with people who feel “dread” about the “future of Christianity” in America and around the world. That explains a...

www.washingtontimes.com

 

[Ronnie]

The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion. Proverbs 28:1

 

[Zephyr]

When the ability to support their families by holding a job is threatened, it is no surprise that people feel afraid and threatened. I really can't blame them. A huge problem is that we don't have very many political representatives or corporate leaders who are willing to stand up for Christians.

The hysterical Leftists make a lot of noise and a lot of threats. I am afraid threats work where peaceful protests don't and Christians are not inclined to use hostility and violence to make our point. I think this is a big part of the why of God's wrath during the Trib. I think that Matthew 16:12-20 probably still applies today; after all, this is how Jesus Christ instructed His Apostles back in His time...

12 As you enter the home, give it your greeting. 13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. 14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. 15 Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.


16 “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 17 Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

 

[1LoverofGod]

Christians are not called to acts of violence and the worldly view of protest.
We take a stand by The Word of God and it's Truths.

We are to submit to authorities but when in conflict with God's laws, we obey God rather than men. Acts 5:9

We don't conform to the ways of the world, in contrary to The Word of God.

Christians must bear in mind that God's judgement begins in "the house of God", and when the church steps outside of God's Word and His laws, there will be repercussions.

"For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?"
1 Peter 4:17

We stand only by God's Authority in His Word and do not change with the modern culture of men.

"Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle."
2 Thessalonians 2:15


We are being watched by the world and satan uses whatever means in the world to demean and subvert God's Word and His Authority, so we must stand by our faith because what we do reflects on The Lord and God's Honor.

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."
Matthew 5:16

We are to defend the faith but in the proper fashion, always dignified for Christ's namesake.

"But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. 24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will."
2 Timothy 2:23-26

"Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow"
Isaiah 1:17

"Deliver the poor and needy;
Free them from the hand of the wicked"
Psalm 82:4

We are to Never compromise our faith, and most certainly not be in fear of doing so, but Always use God's Word as our Authority and take a stand not only in word but on deed

How We represent ourselves is a witness for our faith in itself.


"But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect"
1 Peter 3:15

"Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel"
Philippians 1:27

Using God's Word has more Power behind it than taking part in conflict by protest in a worldly sense.

"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart"
Hebrews 4:12

I think too many Christians choose to be silent as God's Word is being subverted and perverted for the sake of conforming to the world when Scripture warns us to be careful not to go on that path and fear of repercussion by the world for standing our ground on God's Truth, but will not end well for anyone who has more fear of man than fear of the Lord

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."
Romans 12:2

"And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell"
Matthew 10:28

The church who fears the world is likely to not stand under persecution and will compromise.

To compromise our faith is a betrayal of Jesus great suffering for us.

Much to think about....

These letters to the Church are from the Revelation of Jesus Christ......

Letter to the persecuted church:

“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write,

‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: 9“I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

11“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”
Revelation 2:8-11

Letter to the Compromising Church....

And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write,

‘These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword: 13“I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. 15Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 16Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.

17“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.”
Revelation 2:12-17

The Lukewarm Church

14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,

‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

22 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Praying for the Church to place complete Trust in The Lord and denounce fear

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

One of the churches I attend was officially called a "renegade church" during wuhan virus

During wuhan virus, using legal system/mechanism available to anyone/everyone here, the LCMS and Catholics stood up to the Minnesota Governor when churches were going to be treated less favorably than other places open to the public, AND WON BEFORE the discriminatory edict went into effect. Ultimately, houses of worship were treated better/more liberally by the State government here than other facilities.



JESUS!!!

 

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[Ghoti Ichthus]

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Is there a blizzard there today?

 

[Tall Timbers]

Is there a blizzard there today?

Apparently so. A complete white-out.

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

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[Ghoti Ichthus]

@Sojourner414

I like your new avatar. It reminds me of Moses walking into glory

Much better than the blizzard-looking one