Our Defense
Our Defense
Taking advantage of a few quiet days before our family arrives from Australia, I want to write, out loud, my thoughts about a question that keeps arising; what does “defend myself” look like?
When we did our first US Capitols tour in 2008, the theme was Jeremiah, chapters 50 and 51. In these two chapters we identified 7 calls to leave Babylon or the world system. The 6th call, we strongly believed, was about psychological manipulation of the masses. The following few paragraphs describe the current psychological conditioning by Professor Mattias Desmet author of The Psychology of Totalitarianism
(Analysis by Dr. Joseph Mercola) What we are seeing at play in society are the effects of a large-scale process of mass formation, because the most salient characteristic of this psychological trend is that it makes people radically blind to everything that goes against the narrative they believe in. They basically become incapable of distancing themselves from their beliefs, and therefore cannot take in or evaluate new data.
(Professor Desmet) “Another very specific characteristic is that this process of mass formation makes people willing to radically sacrifice everything that is important to them — even their health, their wealth, the health of their children, the future of their children.
“When someone is in the grip of a process of mass formation, he becomes radically willing to sacrifice all his individual interest. A third characteristic, to name only a few, is that once people are in the grip of a process of mass formation, they typically show a tendency of cruelty towards people who do not buy into the narrative, or do not go along with the narrative. They typically do so as if it is an ethical duty.
“In the end, they are typically inclined, first, to stigmatize, and then, to eliminate, to destroy, the people who do not go along with the masses.”
So, what separates man from beast as both were created by YAHWEH ELOHIM on the 6th day of creation? Is it when “man” reaches the point of mindlessness and can only kill and destroy, that he becomes a beast?
Taking a look at Galatians chapter 5 the apostle Paul differentiates between living for the devil and living for Yeshua. One leads to death and the other to life.
“Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” (Gal 5:19-25)
I have often wondered why YHVH was adamant about certain people groups being utterly wiped out; men, women, children and even animals. Could it be they had become beasts in their very nature?
From Deuteronomy chapter 7 we read, “And you shall consume all the peoples that the LORD your God will give over to you. Your eye shall not pity them, neither shall you serve their gods, for that would be a snare to you.
“No one shall be able to stand against you until you have destroyed them.” (Deut 7:16-24)
Yeshua told His disciples in Luke chapter 22, “And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.”
“He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.”
“And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough.” (Luke 22:35-38)
And a lesson from the actions of King Jehoshaphat, 2Chron 20:17, “You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the LORD will be with you.” 2Ch 20:21, “And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the LORD and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say, “Give thanks to the LORD, for his steadfast love endures forever.”
As I see it, if you or your family are being attacked by a wild beast subdue that beast with either or both of the two ‘w’s’; weaponry and/or worship. Behind the worshipers of King Jehoshaphat were his army; among the disciples sent out to take the gospel message to the world were two swords. Weaponry and worship seem to go together, but it takes a relationship with YAHWEH YESHUA to discern the what, when, where, why and how of their use.