“Have we gone stark raving nuts?” Senator Ted Cruz asked that rhetorical question last week in response to a statement made by Donald Trump, Republican presidential front-runner. Trump said that transgender people should, “use the bathroom that they feel is appropriate.” He added that North Carolina’s so-called “bathroom law” which directs transgender people to use the restroom that matches the gender on their birth certificates, has caused unnecessary strife.
What in the world is happening to us? While pursuing tolerance and compassion have we lost all common sense? Some suggest that not only transgenders should be given permission to use the bathroom of their choice, but anyone who questions their gender should have the same freedom. A number of liberal politicians, Hollywood entertainers and corporate CEO’s have jumped on the bandwagon, threatening to boycott any business or state that disagrees.
I think the answer to Senator Cruz’s question is ‘yes’ – a good portion of our society has gone stark raving nuts. If you think it’s a good idea for people to have the freedom to use whatever facility they desire, chances are you don’t have a teenage daughter. If you think coed restrooms is a sign of progress and won’t lead to complex problems you either are “nuts” or you have been brainwashed by what Dr. Ben Carson called “politically correct nonsense”.
What’s happening to us? Following are six scriptures that provide some insight into the moral freefall that is taking place in our culture.
Judges 17:6 “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.”
When there was no recognized authority in Israel every person was free to determine right and wrong on their own. What followed was chaos; idol worship, intense conflict, gross immorality and brutal violence. (Read Judges 17-19.)
The same downward spiral toward anarchy is occurring in America. When people reject God’s authority and disregard their own constitution, the result is the kind of confusion and civil unrest we’re witnessing today. When a train leaves the track the result is not freedom and adventure but chaos and pain.
Romans 1:22 “…their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools…”
A godless culture initially prides itself in intellectual superiority. But without divinely revealed wisdom even the most intelligent become irrational. A seventeen-year old male, who identifies as female, wears skirts, makeup and a long wig to high school in Hillsboro, Missouri. He is permitted to use the girls’ locker room to change for gym class. Since he has male anatomy many students and parents are very uncomfortable with the situation. But the school’s administration refuses to stop extending locker room privileges to this confused teenager lest they be viewed as intolerant. Really? How bizarre!
THE MESSAGE paraphrases Romans 1:22: “… they have trivialized themselves into silliness.”
Isaiah 5:20 “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness…”
The carnal nature of man is such that when morality is determined individually, it’s not long before moral values are inverted; what was formerly good becomes evil and vice versa. Those who stand for traditional Biblical values are now labeled as hateful and judgmental, while those who champion same-sex marriage, cohabitation and transgendering are applauded for their compassion and tolerance.
Hazen G. Werner said: “There is no more startling phenomenon in our day than the respectablization of evil.”
Hosea 9:7 “Because your sins are so many and your hostility so great, the prophet is considered a fool, the inspired person a maniac.”
Any preacher who dares stand for Biblical truth and warn of God’s impending judgment is mocked as an irrelevant fool and a bigoted madman in today’s upside down culture. Courageous Christian leaders like Franklin Graham, Ravi Zacharias and Dr. Albert Mohler are lampooned in the mainstream press and social media as haters and bigots.
2 Corinthians 4:4 “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel…”
Satan is the god of this age. Scripture identifies him as the “prince of this world.” He tempted Jesus by showing Him all the kingdoms of the world and claiming, “I can give them to you if you just bow down and worship me.” Temporarily, until Christ returns in power, Satan rules most of the world’s kingdoms.
Why would the NFL, with all its internal problems, threaten to pull the Superbowl out of Atlanta because the Georgia state legislature passed a religious liberty bill? Why would Dow Chemical, Pay Pal, Target and other major corporations threaten to boycott the State of North Carolina if they don’t approve of gender-neutral restrooms?
It’s because the god of this age is in control and he has cleverly blinded unbelievers to the truth. Corporate executives are so focused on making money, so intimidated by the bullying tactics of the LGBT lobby, so fearful of unfavorable press and so desirous of approval by liberal-minded peers that they are easily swayed by Satan’s lies. The god of this age has blinded them to truth and common sense.
Revelation 12:12 “But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury because he knows that his time is short”.
Followers of Christ are stunned at how rapidly spiritual values have been abandoned. Just fifty years ago stores were closed on Sunday. Only twenty-five years ago sodomy was illegal. Less than ten years ago Barak Obama declared that marriage should be between a man and a woman only. Five years ago a socialist had no credibility in America. How could we lose so much ground in such a brief period of time?
I think it’s because Satan knows his time is short and is filled with fury knowing he is destined for a fiery pit. A football team becomes more intense in the final minute of a close game, especially if the stakes are high. Satan is aware he is nearing the end and is intensifying his efforts to kill, steal and destroy.
The stakes are high for those of us who are believers also. There is a heaven, there is a hell and there is a hurry. Indications are we are drawing near to our “blessed hope,” the triumphant return of Jesus Christ to earth. The late Adrian Rogers used to say, “The world is getting gloriously dark.”
This is no time for lukewarm or cowardly Christianity. This is a time for spiritual intensity and boldness.
“Be very careful then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” (Ephesians 5:15-17)
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