The right to freedom of speech has long been of concern to Americans. It was so important that the very first amendment to our new constitution was to specifically guarantee it. It is such a blessing to live in a country where it is a specific right. However, like everything else that Satan becomes involved with, the right is twisted in such a way as to no longer represent want it was initially intended for. Most recently this is best illustrated by kneeling during the national anthem. I feel quite certain that our founders did not include this in the original intent. The angel of light saw an opportunity here and took advantage of it. He so proposes that protesting or kneeling during the national anthem is free speech and is a legal form of peaceful protest…which is a First Amendment right. But what is the real goal behind this act? Could it be to malign a Christian country that stands for freedom and equal rights? Create chaos, disorder and malign those keeping law and order in society and serving no positive purpose?
As with nearly all political situations the Bible has something to say on this subject. So the Bible says, “Bond-servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do , do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.” [Colossians 3:22-25]. The NFL players that kneeled during the anthem were defying NFL rules. The NFL did not punish the players, thus anarchy was permitted to reign in an organization whose rules were violated. Why is this an important subject to address? There are two basic arguments that support this kneeling. First is that it is a ‘form’ of free speech. Second is that it is a peaceful non-violent protest against a perceived wrong in society. Both arguments are incorrect and simple to disprove, with the same truth. That truth is that free speech and peaceful protests have limits and are not absolute.
Free speech and or peaceful protests are not allowed just anywhere and at any time. I learned early in life that you cannot yell ‘fire’ in a crowded movie theater; you cannot slander people; and you cannot threaten people and call it ‘free speech’. If you think free speech is absolute, go into a bank and say, “this is a stick up” or walk onto a plane and say, “I have a bomb.” Free speech or not, you will be arrested. Or try this: an angry employee for Publix Supermarket cannot yell and curse at a customer. Or, a truck driver for Walmart cannot drive down the road and make obscene gestures out the window while in traffic. Both would be an example of free speech and both would get the individuals fired.
When a company is paying a person to do a job, that person must adhere to rules that the company has in place. One may want to dress differently, respond differently to customers, or act with impunity while representing the company in public. All could be considered ‘free speech’ and all could get you fired. In the case of the NFL, the organization failed to punish/admonish the players who failed in carrying out ‘company policy’ during the playing of the national anthem. That failure did not go unnoticed by the American public. NFL ratings and attendance declined. There are limits to peaceful protests.
You may wonder where is this leading in ‘Politics and the Church’? As Christians we have a set of standards. God’s Word is not a set of ‘pick and choose’ options. While there was no national anthem when the Bible was written, the Bible does say that we are to respect authority. What does the Bible say? The Bible says, Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.” [Titus 3:1-2]. You cannot have workers making the policies or not adhering to established policies or there will be chaos. The Bible says that we are to do what our superiors tell us to do and not just the minimum. We are to do our best. In everything that we do, we are to work from the heart of God, because as Christians it is God who we really serve. The Bible says, Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.” [Colossians 3:22-25]. In our decision making process we must always ask for discernment. We do not want to do anything that is wrong…sin…in the eyes of God. We must be willing to walk away from any such employment…policies…that requires such acts.
In closing we must always remember that the angel of light will always pervert what is meant for good. Liberal policies will always say that they protest to stop some injustice. Unfortunately, almost the entire liberal platform is not Biblical. When they protest, they are protesting what is right in the eyes of God. The only one reason to stand up against authority is when the authority is doing things that are not Godly. The Bible says, “But Peter and the other apostles answered and said:’We ought to obey God rather than men.'” [Acts 5:29]. When the laws established by man conflict with the laws of God, we are to obey God.
When liberals say they are protesting what they believe is right, it is what is right in their own eyes and not what the Bible says. These individuals lack the knowledge of God and are playing into the hands of the angel of light who is ‘practiced’ at twisting the truth. They are rebelling against the Word of God. They protest in support of gay marriage, abortion, open borders, legalization of drugs, etc. They are rebelling with Satan and his demons against God. They are obeying the laws of man rather than the Word of God.
Next week we will start to look at a subject that all would hope their acceptance of Christ would fix but in some cases only means further challenges…tests, trials, and persecution.
– Bob Munsey
“Be the work great or small; do it well or not at all!”
Geezer Politics 