Understanding The Root Of The Problem

“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries” – Galatians 5:19

Reuters quoted Pope Francis on Sunday (Dec 19, 2021) saying that acts of violence against women are "almost satanic" during a conversation with a woman who fled her abusive husband.

It is not too much of a stretch to believe that domestic violence against women, men or children are wrong – perhaps explainable as to why a person resorts to violence but nonetheless, inexcusable.  I would disagree with the Pope by saying it is not “almost” satanic – it is satanic. Satan is at the root of sin.  Domestic violence is sinful and therefore finds its source with the god of this world – Satan.

The original sin has its roots in Satan tempting Adam and Eve to believe a lie – to go against God. 

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” – Galatians 5:22-23

Someone guilty of domestic abuse will not consistently demonstrate the fruit of the spirit. It is just too hard, impossible in fact, for someone living apart from God to exhibit spiritual fruit. Oh, they may feign it for a time – even deceive others making them think that all is well and they are a wonderful person, husband, father, but some trigger will cause them to shed their sheep’s clothing and reveal their true nature. And the abuse continues.

“Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.” – James 3:11-12

I am not suggesting that this is the sin reserved for the unsaved. That a Christian is not capable of doing bad things to others. It happens all of the time.  Christians struggle with sin. Some might say that a person is not a Christian if they sin – that of course is not necessarily true. But, a Christian who sins habitually has spiritual problems and most likely is in need of counselling from a pastor, elder, or Christian counselor. Someone with spiritual wisdom and discernment. But more than that, the person must be ready and willing to repent – else the sinful pattern will continue.

“For men [people] will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” – 2 Timothy 3:2-7

Or perhaps the person is not a Christian at all, just religious. It is hard to distinguish between religious people and saved people.  At least in the sort term.  I have found that if you will but observe and listen, their hearts and actions will expose their spiritual condition. Religious people have never had a new nature – but are merely acting like Christians to gain favor. It is equally difficult to distinguish between the unsaved and Christians who have yielded to sin. Those Christians are merely letting their old nature rule.

This world is dark and needs light. The darker the night the brighter the light.  I may have shared this with you before. It is about when I flew helicopters in the Army, specifically in West Texas in the high desert at night. When I would turn north, away from the lights of El Paso, it was so dark that you could not see where the ground met the sky on the horizon. The soldiers on the ground practiced light discipline which meant that there were no lights shining at the encampments.  I would radio someone and tell them I was flying to their location. They would go outside and "break" a “chem stick” which glowed with a pale green or red light. As small and dim as it was, I could see that light from a long distance away and could safely navigate to their location. The darker the night the brighter the light! That is where I came up with that saying – a saying with spiritual application.  Your light may be small and it may be dim in your estimation, but it will likely be enough to guide someone to a safe place when it is fueled by the Spirit of God.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone