“The wicked strut about, and evil is praised throughout the land” (Ps. 12:8, NLT).
Almost a year ago, I wrote an article with a similar title when the so-called Reproductive Health Act passed in New York with thunderous applause in the state Senate chamber. I could not believe what I was reading: People actually applauded the slaughtering of children. Was I having a dream … a nightmare? Was this real?
Today, the final results of the Georgia election and the presidency are still up in the air. Regardless of your political views, we should all be heartbroken at the state of our nation today. For example, by supporting certain candidates, many are cheering that healthy nine-month-old babies can be removed limb-by-limb.
You may say, “But I’m not cheering abortion.” If you support those who support it, yes, you are.
You’re also cheering that children can be influenced by transgenderism and be encouraged to change their sex (which is not possible, by the way). Cheering that Congress will attempt to remove all male pronouns. The list of insanity you’re supporting is endless.
Granted, these issues have been in America for years, but there is a huge difference between a politician who encourages perversion and murder and one who fights against it.
And, I’m getting very frustrated at those who say, “But the Republicans haven’t done much to stop abortion either.” Adversaries in the House and Senate have fought for abortion rights. The enemy of our soul has done a great job preventing the shutting down of abortion mills and silencing churches via silent pastors. The view that Republicans haven’t done much is just an excuse, a straw-man argument.
I’m not writing this from a political party standpoint, but from a God-fearing standpoint. When human life is devalued, atrocities such as the Holocaust, slavery, sex-trafficking and abortion occur. God help us when we ignore our calling to confront evil. How did we get here and what can we do?
The Church Must Be Revived
As I said in my recent sermon and article, both titled, “The Great Reset of the Church,” In the same way that Jesus warned the lukewarm church in Laodicea, He warns us today: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot … So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spit you out of My mouth” (Rev. 3:15-16).
The church in America resembles the Laodicean church more than at any other time in history. Sadly, conviction is replaced with complacency, and God’s glory is often replaced with gimmicks and marketing ploys.
Just look at the top sermons viewed on social media today. The preachers are motivational speakers, not voices “crying in the wilderness.” It’s about being bigger and better instead of holier and humble.
Like many today, the Laodiceans thought they were in the center of God’s will. They were large, wealthy and involved in the community. They looked at numbers, but Jesus looked at the heart and said that they were “wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked” (Rev. 3:17b).
His strong words were meant to convict and challenge, not coddle and comfort. In order to confront the massive cultural shift mentioned above, the church must be revived: “Wilt You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?” (Ps. 85:6)?
Two Primary Areas of Ungodly Influence
How did we get here? A deathlike, deep slumber, has overtaken the church, and God has allowed the complete breakdown of society. The beacon of light has faded, the salt has lost its savor and the message of the cross has been edited out of most sermons.
We have lost our fervor for the truth. Consider the following and how they may have played a role in where we are today—applauding murder and perversion:
The media is influencing the church. The politically correct police are on high alert. You can mention God as long as you don’t mention His absolute truth. You can mention Jesus as long as He was just a good teacher. And you can embrace religion as long as it’s all-inclusive.
Pastors are required to be politically correct rather than biblically correct to be accepted. The trend in churches is to be welcoming, but primarily affirming. Sermons are designed to tickle the ear but not convict the heart. God help us.
Additionally, many Christians enjoy programs about the occult, vampires, witches, zombies, illicit sex and other perversions of the truth. A Christian should not be entertained by darkness.
If we are, our heart needs spiritual resuscitation. “Letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace” (Rom. 8:6, NLT).
The church cannot be political—unless it’s “politically correct.” I’m often reminded of God’s words to Jeremiah: “I have not sent these pastors but they ran. I have not spoken to them but they spoke. But had they truly stood in My counsel, they would have turned the people from their evil ways” (Jer. 23:21, author’s paraphrase).
I agree with Leonard Ravenhill here: “We need more prophets in our pulpits and less puppets.” God uses true prophetic voices to confront and convict.
I make no apologies for being controversial. When we fail to confront, we confirm. To state the obvious, we become part of the problem. We cannot change what we will not confront.
As I often say, This battle is for the very soul of our nation. It’s our choice—stand or fall. Watch the video on defending the faith here.
Shane Idleman is the founder and lead pastor of Westside Christian Fellowship in Southern California. More can be found at ShaneIdleman.com, and free downloads of his books are available at WCFAV.org. Visit him on Facebook and subscribe to his new podcast.
