This country is in a crisis, and the crisis is by design–by the craftiness of the devil. The Bible informs us that God originally created all things for His glory (Revelation 4:11). To demonstrate this glory He set up three human institutions: marriage (Genesis 2; Ephesians 5); human government (Genesis 9; Romans 13); and the local church (Romans 1:7; I Corinthians 1:2). The devil has been working hard through people to ruthlessly and viciously attack these three hated “foundations of the faith” with every ounce of his depraved nature.

Satan flings his fiery spears at the institution of marriage, advocates easy divorce laws and supports abortion freedoms, encourages the most detailed sex instruction courses for tiny school children, and beguiles women by promising the same foolish and false freedoms he used so effectively against Eve in a garden long ago. He has blinded many women with “choices”, “false empowerment”, and a disdain for men just because they are men. “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” (2 Cor. 4:4)

He has worked to change the cry of “we shall overcome” to that of “we shall overthrow.” He has encouraged students to burn everything on their campuses except the midnight oil, he has reduced grown men to common street stompers who rant and chant their four-letter filth while destroying other’s property. He has changed the view of many to an undisguised contempt all cops, courts, customs and constitutions; flags have become handkerchiefs to be worn or scorned, but never honored. This directly attacks God’s Word: “Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.” (Rom. 13:1)

He attacks the church–the body of Christ–from the outside but concentrates the bulk of his evil efforts from within. He has set many false teachers in prominent churches to keep people from finding the one true way to the Father. And he has done his utmost to convince professing Christians that the local church is finished. Not weak, not ineffective; but dead and decaying, in order to keep many from meeting with the brethren. How many people do you know that purposely don’t attend a church because they know better than the one preaching? I know quite a few, and have previously been one of them. But if we don’t meet together, then we can’t be encouraged or encourage others; the devil is convincing too many that it’s just fine to be isolated from the church. “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Heb. 10:24-25)

So the devil has been hard at work causing divisions within our families, country, and the church, and so many are eagerly following him to destruction. So what does God’s Word tell us instead of following the devil’s craftiness? We are to unite in harmony for the Lord’s glory! And we must understand that we are to follow His will, not our own. For if we do, that is pride and idolatry. “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. For even Christ did not please Himself but, as it is written: ‘The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.’ For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” (Romans 15:1-7)