Do We Understand?

Those who forsake instruction praise the wicked, but those who heed it resist them. Evildoers do not understand what is right, but those who seek the LORD understand it fully. Better the poor whose walk is blameless than the rich whose ways are perverse. A discerning son heeds instruction, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father. Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor. If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction, even their prayers are detestable. Proverbs 28:4-9 NIV

When we are given specific, implicit instructions as to how to live to please God and ignore them, we're opening the door for Satan to walk in and rule. And we see this on a regular basis.

To backtrack our history for just a moment, within the educational systems, across the nation, we see the result of taking prayer out of the schools. When this country allowed a demented woman to convince lawmakers that "prayer in schools" was a violation of the constitutional rights of others, Satan and all his imps--stood on the sidelines--cheering, and turning somersaults, salivating at the opportunity for destroying the minds of the young. Gone--respect of teachers or anyone in authority; teens who feel like misfits deciding to take the lives of innocent people, and many school buildings are more like--airports--with metal detectors at the doors and security personnel searching back packs. Can we see them?

When sociologists decided that "corporal discipline" was child abuse, lawmakers once again (blinded by Satan's plans) told parents their kids couldn't be spanked. As a result, we have a society in which kids rule because parents are afraid to discipline them and when parents have no control over kids, neither does anyone else. When we take away authority of parents--we set our society up for failure. Do we see it?

Then, with the outcries of another few demented people, it became unconstitutional for prayers to be said at government facilities, and school events, and other public events and don't dare mention the name--God--that apparently has the enemy so shaken that he trembles every time the name is mentioned. Even with the celebration of Christmas--the Christians' celebration of Christ's birthday, has almost been forsaken--because of the commercial aspect pervaded by all those seeking wealth. Can we see it?

And now, the group that openly and reverently honors the enemy--that master of deception--Satan--is allowed to influence young minds further, by promulgating "the nonsense of religious beliefs" as after school clubs. Parents--who were duped into believing that prayer violates constitutional rights from their earlier era, are probably the ones who will allow their children to attend, "Satan's clubs."Are we paying attention?

There is a profound difference between people being religious--ardently acting upon one's beliefs--and being a follower of Christ. Satan's followers are religious--they ardently act upon what they believe. Some Christians--ardently act upon what they say they believe--based upon the denominational doctrine. Believers in Jesus Christ--simply live according to The Word--not denominational banners. Why? Within The Word--there is life--and instructions for living life--that pleases God. So, if we're not living according to The Word, not heeding instructions, we are praising the wicked (figuratively and literally), and the prayers being offered are detestable to God.

Do we understand, yet?