Outward Peace does not Mean there’s not an Inward War
I’ve been in the book of Ecclesiastes this week, and there’s nothing like reading the words of King Solomon to remind myself of how very inept I am in thought by comparison. I have tried not to read scripture just for the sake of getting through the Bible one more time, but to spend the time in genuine study and consideration of how God wants every word applied to my life and how I live it. Solomon’s words in both Proverbs and Ecclesiastes are solid advice from a man that had far more on his plate than I have on mine. Even though Solomon lived in a time of peace, it didn’t mean there wasn’t a war inside of his life. How could such a wise man think it was a good idea to have 700 wives and 300 concubines. One thousand women married to one man would have surely been considered a time of war. Although there’s no mention of wife and concubine spats, common sense tells you there had to have been. And then there’s a verses like that of
Ecclesiastes 3:16-20 KJV
[16] And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place righteousness, that iniquity was there. [17] I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work. [18] I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts. [19] For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity. [20] All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.
As I said previously, an outward time of peace doesn’t mean there’s not an inward war.
The War Within Me
It’s real. I battle things I’d be ashamed to tell. Thoughts about people and desires that are nothing but the flesh wanting what it wants. It sometimes devours any good that I attempt. There are times my mind goes to a dark place and I try to cast my conscience aside and wish that just for a minute I would not care about people as deeply as I do. Other’s must do it, else they could not do the things they do and behave the way they do and go to sleep at night.
Solomon looked around him and he seen the depravity that was in every man. My own failures have proven that true. While I don’t want to sin or fail my Lord I do just that and just as the Apostle Paul said in Romans 7:14-21 KJV
[14] For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. [15] For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. [16] If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. [17] Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. [18] For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. [19] For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. [20] Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. [21] I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
One of the most profound tongue twisters in scripture!
The War Without
The Holy Spirit that is within me convicts me every time my mind goes dark and brings it to the light of Jesus Christ. While it’s not my task to judge another person, it is one of the fleshly battles I face. Not that I judge their sin, for I have my own. But I judge their salvation by their outward behaviors. I am hard pressed to sit in church each Sunday and not think of those I have encountered throughout the week who have cussed, cursed and did that which is blatantly evil without regard for the welfare or heart of others. I don’t ever wish a soul to Hell. Not even my greatest enemies. I’d much rather they be serving Christ and fighting the war with the spiritual wickedness of the world with me.
The war without is not with other humans. My spirit knows that.
Ephesians 6:12 KJV
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.
But there are human vessels for which the spirit world works through that comes down in to the low places of the earth and I am face to face with a spiritual war in the flesh, both them and me. And I am forced to reckon myself with God as to how I’m going to handle the matter. I can’t just let it go. I’ve tried the past few weeks. I’ve tried to walk away from the evil I see happening and God keeps bringing it back to mind, causing me to sit on the side of my bed at 11 p.m. at night and pen this blog.
How can men and women consciously make decisions that destroy another person without concern for the effects on their physical and spiritual life, and that they will answer at God’s judgement seat. I’m not talking about a physical altercation; I speak of a war with words or actions of anger, greed or resentment. It can be political, familial or community. How does Washington DC not fall into a pit with as much scum that sits on that swamp. How does Charleston, West Virginia or any other Capital City across our nation founded on Jesus Christ not decay to the point that they too dissolve into a wasteland. I don’t understand how Government leaders can stand and pledge Allegiance to the flag, offer prayer in the name of Jesus Christ and then tuck millions of dollars into the pockets of evil men.
This is where God has brought me tonight. To Ecclesiastes 9.
Ecclesiastes 9:10-11 KJV
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. [11] I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.
You and I have not been assigned to the pew of the Church only. But we’ve been assigned to sit among the world filled with evil and defend God’s people and serve His purpose. With that thought I’m going to try and lay my head down upon the pillow tonight….
