Note: Alan who normally writes these blog articles is experiencing some computer problems this week. As a result, this week's article is written by Jeff Cox, another member of the Holly Street congregation.
Introduction. "I want a cookie NOW!" The relative quiet of the grocery store is pierced by a shrill little voice. Heads turn to see a cute little four-year-old girl and her harried looking mom. "But Suzie, I said it is almost lunch time and that will spoil your appetite." Cute little Suzie demands "I WANT A COOKIE NOW!!!" and throws herself onto the tiled floor in a temper tantrum. Fast-forward six years and not-as-little Suzie is mouthing off to her schoolteacher and refusing to follow directions. Time flies and young Susan at 17 is starting to get involved in illegal under-age drinking and pot smoking. By the time she is 20, Ms. Susan is routinely speeding, ignoring traffic signs, and cussing out any patrolman that dares to stop her. A self-proclaimed atheist and budding political activist, her protests against the government soon take a very dark turn when she falls under the influence of a radical Islamic terrorist cell. Later, she is identified as the female suicide bomber responsible for killing a number Christians at a Sunday worship service.
Rebellion. We see examples around us all the time – open rebellion toward those in a legitimate position of authority, including parents, school officials, the police, employers, the government, and so on. As decent, law-abiding, and religious people, we are shocked by such behavior. But are we as quick to recognize the seeds of rebellion in our own lives? Do we try to detect them early and "nip them in the bud"? Or do we allow them to take root, grow, and bear evil fruit?
Introduction. "I want a cookie NOW!" The relative quiet of the grocery store is pierced by a shrill little voice. Heads turn to see a cute little four-year-old girl and her harried looking mom. "But Suzie, I said it is almost lunch time and that will spoil your appetite." Cute little Suzie demands "I WANT A COOKIE NOW!!!" and throws herself onto the tiled floor in a temper tantrum. Fast-forward six years and not-as-little Suzie is mouthing off to her schoolteacher and refusing to follow directions. Time flies and young Susan at 17 is starting to get involved in illegal under-age drinking and pot smoking. By the time she is 20, Ms. Susan is routinely speeding, ignoring traffic signs, and cussing out any patrolman that dares to stop her. A self-proclaimed atheist and budding political activist, her protests against the government soon take a very dark turn when she falls under the influence of a radical Islamic terrorist cell. Later, she is identified as the female suicide bomber responsible for killing a number Christians at a Sunday worship service.
Rebellion. We see examples around us all the time – open rebellion toward those in a legitimate position of authority, including parents, school officials, the police, employers, the government, and so on. As decent, law-abiding, and religious people, we are shocked by such behavior. But are we as quick to recognize the seeds of rebellion in our own lives? Do we try to detect them early and "nip them in the bud"? Or do we allow them to take root, grow, and bear evil fruit?
Biblically Speaking. Depending on your translation, you will find many scriptures containing words like "rebellion", "rebellious", "rebels", "stubborn", "stiff-necked", and/or "revolt". And as you might suspect, they definitely aren't complementary! Here is a sampling:
Pride. "I just want to have fun." "I don't need anybody telling me what to do." "I already know what the Bible says." "I'm not religious, but I'm deeply spiritual." Call it being self-centered, selfish, or just plain spoiled. But whatever you call it, pride is often associated with being spiritually rebellious. Do we get angry or have our feelings hurt if someone tries to correct us? Do we think we already know everything there is to know about the Bible? Are we satisfied following in our parent's religious footsteps out of family pride? Watch out! Consider:
Emotions. "I know that is what the Bible says, but I feel …" "Doesn't God want me to be happy?" "I don't feel there is anything wrong with it." How often do we let our "hearts" lead us instead of what God says in His Word?
Disrespect. "My parents are so stupid." "My husband is a jerk." "All cops are racist." "All politicians are corrupt." Do you put down others, especially those in positions of authority? Whether you say it or only think it, watch out - you could be nurturing a seed of rebellion.
Minimizing Sin. "Let's live and let live." "Don’t rock the boat." "I don't belong to a church, but I'm still a decent person." "It is just a white lie – what's the big deal?" "Hasn't Jesus already forgiven me for all my future sins?" Watch out! Developing a casual attitude about obeying God (or failing to obey Him) is nurturing rebellion against God.
Conclusion. It is easy to detect rebellion in others at the supermarket, on the interstate, or on the TV news. But it is often harder to detect it in ourselves, especially in its more subtle forms and/or initial stages. May we always have an attitude of humility and reliance on God's Word like that expressed in the Psalms:
- Deut. 21:18-21 "If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who will not obey the voice of his father or the voice of his mother, . . . then his father and his mother shall take hold of him and bring him out to the elders of his city, to the gate of his city. . . . Then all the men of his city shall stone him to death with stones; so you shall put away the evil from among you, and all Israel shall hear and fear." (A capital offense under the Law of Moses)
- 1 Sam. 15:23 "For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry."
- Isa. 65:2 "I have stretched out My hands all day long to a rebellious people, Who walk in a way that is not good, according to their own thoughts;"
- Heb. 3:8 "Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, in the day of trial in the wilderness," (A warning to Christians based on what happened to the children of Israel after leaving Egypt)
Pride. "I just want to have fun." "I don't need anybody telling me what to do." "I already know what the Bible says." "I'm not religious, but I'm deeply spiritual." Call it being self-centered, selfish, or just plain spoiled. But whatever you call it, pride is often associated with being spiritually rebellious. Do we get angry or have our feelings hurt if someone tries to correct us? Do we think we already know everything there is to know about the Bible? Are we satisfied following in our parent's religious footsteps out of family pride? Watch out! Consider:
- Prov. 8:13 "The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverted mouth, I hate."
- Prov. 16:18 "Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling."
- Prov. 29:23 "A man's pride will bring him low, But a humble spirit will obtain honor."
- 2 Tim. 3:2 "For men will be lovers of self, . . . boastful, arrogant, . . ."
Emotions. "I know that is what the Bible says, but I feel …" "Doesn't God want me to be happy?" "I don't feel there is anything wrong with it." How often do we let our "hearts" lead us instead of what God says in His Word?
- Prov. 16:25 "There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death."
- Prov. 21:2 "Every man's way is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts."
- Eph. 4:21 "to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires,"
Disrespect. "My parents are so stupid." "My husband is a jerk." "All cops are racist." "All politicians are corrupt." Do you put down others, especially those in positions of authority? Whether you say it or only think it, watch out - you could be nurturing a seed of rebellion.
- Rom. 13:7 "Pay to all what is owed to them: . . . respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed."
- Eph 6:2 "“Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise),"
- 1 Pet. 2:17 "Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king."
Minimizing Sin. "Let's live and let live." "Don’t rock the boat." "I don't belong to a church, but I'm still a decent person." "It is just a white lie – what's the big deal?" "Hasn't Jesus already forgiven me for all my future sins?" Watch out! Developing a casual attitude about obeying God (or failing to obey Him) is nurturing rebellion against God.
- Isa. 59:2 "But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear."
- Acts 3:19 "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out,"
- Rom. 6:1-2 "What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?"
Conclusion. It is easy to detect rebellion in others at the supermarket, on the interstate, or on the TV news. But it is often harder to detect it in ourselves, especially in its more subtle forms and/or initial stages. May we always have an attitude of humility and reliance on God's Word like that expressed in the Psalms:
- Psm. 51:17 "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise."
- Psm. 86:11 "Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name."
- Psm. 119:169 "Let my cry come before You, O LORD; Give me understanding according to Your word."