Apparently there is a complaint coming from within our own military service. According to an article I just read it seems that our military soldiers who are of Christian faith are being persecuted by other military leaders who don’t share this same faith or any other faith. Those who claim to be Atheists, Agnostics, and Wiccans are complaining about those who want to pray to God. They have said this violates their rights and beliefs. The argument now is that a Christian in the military does not have the right to pray to the Lord before battle. Who’s rights are now being violated? All this fuss seems a bit futile and foolish. Why can’t these people just turn away and allow others to have their rights as well? This argument is taking their full attention off the real war at hand. This is causing a dangerous diversion among our own soldiers, which in turn holds our future in their hands.

We are in the “last days”, however no one knows the exact time or day. Christ told us in His Word found in Matthew 24 to look for the signs. He said there will be many who will lead us astray with false teachings and messages. Wars will break out between nations and kingdoms. This is certainly going on in the world today. But, it’s the kingdom wars that I want to address. It’s no secret that a Christian knows there are spiritual battles going on to claim souls. Either a soul will be won for Christ in the heavenly kingdom, or it will be lost to Satan in his dark kingdom of the underworld. Satan realizes his end is immanent. The time is drawing near that Satan’s reign is racing to a close according to God’s promise. I believe in his futile attempts, he is dividing people by way of waging wars from within apparently by those who are on the same side.

God tells us that the human state of sin from the fall of Adam is what has separated all men. It was this act of disobedience that God said, “The man has now become like one of Us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.” (Gen. 3:22). This is where Adam made the choice to give up his right to eternal life in exchange for the things he thought he wanted, which created a spiritual death. When Adam chose to violate God’s will, he subjected the rest of humanity to the same folly. But, God in His finite wisdom cursed Satan with the promise of His Seed (Christ) Who would one day subdue him into the Lake of Fire. I believe Satan’s time is drawing near and he’s waging war against God by dividing our own military personel one against the other.

God’s Word mentions that a house divided cannot stand. Satan also knows God’s Word and it’s his tactic to divide an army which should be fighting on the same side. Actually it’s a very clever one at that. If the men and women who are supposedly on the same side are pitted one against the other for their religious beliefs, or lack of them, this creates quite a diversion. So, are we really on the same side or not? One weapon that Satan uses to destroy is one of offense. Those who do not believe in God get very offensive at the mention of His name. Honestly, I find this hard to believe. How can one be offended by something they truly don’t believe exists? Why do they care so much if others want to pray? After all, what harm can possibly be done if one chooses to pray? The worst case scenerio is nothing would come of those prayers…if indeed God didn’t exist. So then I have to ask myself, are these people actually offended by prayers that do get answered? Would they have to admit perhaps, just perhaps they might be wrong in their thinking?

Even if I didn’t believe in God, what harm would it do to allow faith filled Christians to pray for their safety and mine for that matter? What if my beliefs were wrong and there really was a God Who held my life in His hands? Would I want to risk the outcome for my own stubbornness? I know I can answer these questions with this fact, “I am human, I make many mistakes. I have been proven wrong before. Everything is worth searching out the truth.” It would make more sense to me to be on God’s good side, just in case He were for real. But how is it that Satan can make such fools out of us? But yet he does. God’s Word mentions the folly of fools. A fool is what God considers to be an unwise person. Here are some things He says about fools.

“The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God,’ they are corrupt, and have committed abominable injustice.” Psalm 53:1a.

God calls anyone who rejects Him a fool. He also considers them to be corrupt. The injustice they commit is highly offensive to God. He says it’s abominable. This word alone is offensive in its meaning. Webster’s Dictionary describes it as repugnantly hatelful; detestable; very bad or unpleasant.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:7

The thing that stands out between an unbeliever and a believer is that an unbeliever may make statements about life and truth, but does not have true or ultimate knowledge until he is in a redemptive relationship of reverential awe with God. Remember that Adam lost this in the Garden when he decided not to have reverential fear of God? He gave up his spiritual relationship for what felt good to his flesh. This is the same curse all people are under unless they repent of their sins. Being offended is one of Satan’s biggest traps. This is pleasing our flesh by believing we are better than others. It’s a matter of pride. It might be humiliting to humble ourselves by admitting we were wrong! It’s the fool who hates the truth.

“Yet the fool multiplies words. No man knows what will happen, and who can tell him what will come after him?” Proverbs 10:14

This says a wise man demonstrates wisdom through a few words and through his works. He knows his words will line up with his works and will need no argument. But a foolish person will just keep talking until it yields an unfavorable outcome. I see this happening over and over again to those who hate wise godly instruction. Their foolishness will be their demise, unless they turn from their evil ways and repent.

God’s Word says even when a man is conscious of His existence, power, and divine nature, his speculations will be futile because his heart will be darkened by his foolishness. Being spiritually dead, he can’t see truth. (Romans 1:21)

“Professing to be wise, they became fools.” Romans 1:22

This passage clearly relates how people will rationalize their own sin and as a result proves their utter foolishness by devising and believing their own philosophies about God, or the non existence of Him, the universe and themself.

“The Lord knows the reasonings of the wise, that they are useless.” 1 Corinthians 3:20

In the end, the fact remains that no matter what anyone has devised in their own minds, this one truth remains. No one can save himself. Aside from Christ we are nothing (Jn. 15:5). We must abide in Him in order to live.

Whose side are you on? If you choose Christ, you are wise. He is ready to enlist you into His army of one today. Tell God you have been foolish by sinning against Him. Ask Him to forgive you, He understands and loves you. He will wash away those sins and seal you for the day of Christ’s return. If you believe Christ’s blood has saved you, then tell God you know His Son took your place on the Cross. And also He now lives to intercede for you. If you have done this with heartfelt sincerity, thank your Heavenly Father now. Keep growing and knowing Christ, Who is your Lord and Savior. He will lead you into all wisdom and truth.

Whatever does not begin with God will end in failure.

New American Standard Bible used for all scripture.