The Root Of Bitterness And Radical Feminism

Strengthen the hands that are week and the knees that are feeble, and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb that is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.

Pursue peace with all men and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.

See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up makes trouble, and by it many be defiled;

that there be no immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal. For you know that even afterwards, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears.  (Hebrews 12: 12-17)

Jackie and I attended a large independent Charismatic church in Grand Rapids for about 7 years. The worship was consistently good as was the preaching, which always offered sound biblical teaching, laying a foundation for everything from finances to living a Spirit-filled life.

The pastor, apart from being spiritually gifted, was also a great communicator. We enjoyed our time there and I personally gained a lot from his teaching. However he did seem to cover what he thought important to share over a three year period. In our 4th year I realized that we had gone over this stuff before. Year 7 started round three and, although we left because one of our son-in-laws obtained a ministry position at a church back in Holland and we wanted to support him, 3 times hearing the same sermon is sometimes one too many.

One of the sermons Pastor Duane preached was on the root of bitterness. He had a favorite saying about being bitter and unforgiving and, whether it originated from him or someone else, it provides a wonderful and truth filled picture of their effects. I have used it a number of times myself to offer advice to people I have conducted driving tests for after hearing their sad stories.

"Being bitter or unforgiving is like drinking poison - and then expecting the other person to die".

All of us have been or have felt like we've been wronged or abused in some way by another. It might be as simple as a harsh word, an unloving comment or an actual or perceived snub, or it might be something much worse like having been sexually abused, injured or rejected by one we love. These things may happen to ourselves or to someone we love. Our natural human reaction is not to forgive and let it go but rather to hold on to it and to try to figure out someway that the other person can know or experience how much they have hurt us.

Thus bitterness establishes itself inside us and it will remain and grow and attract other bad spiritual feelings that go with it unless it and them are dealt with. One sad thing is that rarely does the offender realize how much pain they have inflicted on us. Our bitterness does not hurt them one iota.

A second sad thing is that although our bitterness does not hurt them it surely hurts us. Bitterness and unforgiveness are underlying causes of many physical as well as mental illnesses (read again the opening Scripture). And it is a prime entryway for attacks from evil spirits. Bitterness in fact is considered to be a spiritual principality that attracts other evil spirits. Consulars say that if you find one you will almost always find the others.

There is a progression of these spiritual strongholds, each one more serious than the other, that arise from the root of bitterness. Henry Wright in his book - A More Excellent Way - identifies seven evil spirits that are under and answer to the spirit of bitterness.

The first is Unforgivness and it produces a record of wrongs. Without forgiving we are diligent to hold onto this record.

The second is Resentment. This is when we keep going over and meditate upon the record of wrongs. Interestingly the byproduct of Bitterness, Unforgiveness and Resentment is Fear. It may manifest itself right away or much later but fears such as fear of man, fear of failure, fear of rejection and fear of abandonment often cause in us the desire to withdraw.

The third is Retaliation, which is finding ways to get back at the person who has wronged us. We want them to pay and by doing so then we can get even.

The fourth stronghold is Anger. Here let me say that I've seen the progression described by a women writer as follows: Bitterness leads to anger, anger leads to demands, then comes slander, then in an effort to justify our feelings we try to get others to agree with us, and finally that leads to the desire to harm our offender.

The fifth stronghold is Hatred. Hatred leads to the feeling that there is not room enough for both of us.

Hatred will then lead to Violence, which is the thought that the other person needs to experience the pain that we've felt and needs to know that they are hated.

This finally leads to Murder. Murder does not necessarily mean killing the other. It can also mean the attempt to destroy the other by verbal abuse or character assignation.

Just to repeat one point here. If we find in someone strong feelings of hatred, revenge, slander, violence, resentment and anger we almost certainly find bitterness and unforgiveness at the core.

The solution then is forgiveness. It says in Ephesians 4: 31-32

Let all bitterness and wrath (violence) and anger and clamor (making demands) and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other just as God in Christ Jesus has forgiven you.

Neil Anderson, who created the Freedom In Christ seminars through which many thousands have experienced relief from spiritual bondage, says that forgiveness is not merely forgetting the offense we have experienced. Forgiveness is a choice, a decision of our will.

This goes against our sense of what is right and wrong because we want revenge for the things that we have experienced. But God in Romans 12:19 tells that that we are never to take our own revenge. Never take your own revenge my beloved but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay" says the Lord. And he describes it like this. If we never let the other person off the hook then we will always be "hooked" to that person. Until we let go of our anger and hatred the other person will still be hurting us. To be free we need to forgive the other person from our heart.

Anderson also says that forgiveness is agreeing to live with the consequences of another's sin. Since we are going to have to live with the consequences anyway our only choice is whether we will do so in the bondage of bitterness or in the freedom of forgiveness. "No one truly forgives without accepting and suffering the pain of another person's sin."  

We think this is unfair and wonder where is the justice. But here is the wonderful news. This is exactly what Jesus has done for us on the cross. Unlike the sins of others against us, our own sins have eternal consequences. Yet without desiring for us to suffer for them, to hold these always against us, He took them upon Himself and bore the suffering and shame for us.

Anderson says that we can't wait until we feel like forgiving or we will never get there. Anderson says that forgiveness comes from the heart and that we need to ask God to bring the hurts and the pains out to the surface to be confessed or else our emotions will never be healed. And lastly Anderson says that forgiveness is choosing not to hold someone's sin against them anymore, to let go of the past and to put away any desires for revenge.

Forgiveness does not mean that we need to put up with future sin or the abuse of others We need to learn how to take a stand against sin while continuing to exercise grace and forgiveness toward those who are hurting us.

The second part of this post relates to the first in that I am constantly seeing outward expressions of bitterness, anger, hatred, resentment, unforgiveness and to listen to Madonna, the desire for violence, expressed throughout radical feminism. I say radical feminism because there are major areas that most of society will agree are universal. Those being equal opportunities for education, advancement, equal pay for equal work, dignity and respect.

Radical feminism however as an offshoot of Marxism carries with it in it's desire for "equality" a classless economic system as well as a sexually classless social system.

Marxism sought for the elimination of private property and to do that there needed to be a revolt of the underclasses to overthrow the oppressive classes at the top. The state then would control all means of production and distribute to all based, not on their merit, but on their need.

Radical feminism decided that society was also patriarchal in that men considered women and children to be property. To achieve a non-patriarchal society the state needed to make these things happen:

- Make divorce easy.
- All women should work outside the home.
- The state should provide free 24 hour day care.
- The state should provide free contraception.
- Births outside of marriage should be socially acceptable.
- Eliminate religion because religion promotes the family.
- Eliminate sexual classes and sexual differences.
- Seize control of reproduction.
- Women should be in control of their own bodies (a child in womb is not a real person, only part
   of a woman's body).

These goals (and some much more radical) were established by the founders of radical feminism over 50 years ago and we all know how far they have advanced.

The root problem here spiritually is radical feminism's rejection of the Fatherhood of God. And here is where I see the conflict that many women are having who harbor bitterness and unforgiveness because they had fathers or husbands or boyfriends who did not properly love or support them, or they were abused sexually or emotionally, or were denied rights or treated unfairly because of their sex, or experienced rejection because of their looks or personalities, on and on and on.

The lie of the evil one is that he projects upon the Father and thus blames the Father for the hurts that others have done against us.

Here is a list that Anderson provides of the lies of the evil one and although they apply to all they also seem to speak directly to the hurts that most women have. He suggests to go over each one and then renounce those lies. Here is his list, each with a Scriptural reference that counters the lie.

I renounce that the Father is . . .

distant and disinterested  (Psalm 139: 1-18)
insensitive and uncaring  (Psalm 103: 8-14)
stern and demanding  (Romans 15:7; Zephaniah 3:17)
passive and cold  (Isaiah 40:11; Hosea 11: 3-4)
absent or too busy for me (Hebrews 13:5; Jeremiah 31:20)
never satisfied with what i do, impatient or angry (2 Peter 3:9; Exodus 34:6)
mean, cruel or abusive  (Jeremiah 31:3, Psalm 18:2)
trying to take all the fun out of life (John 10:10; Romans 12: 1-2)
controlling or manipulative  (Hebrews 4:15,16; Luke 15: 11-16
condemning or unforgiving  (Psalm 130:1-4; Luke 15: 17-24)
nit-picking, exacting or perfectionistic  (Romans 8: 28-29; Hebrews 12: 5-11)

God is His love and wisdom has a plan for each of our lives. Part of that plan is to provide forgiveness to us through what Jesus already did on the cross. Part of that plan is for us to freely worship and love the Father because He is good, and holy and worthy to be praised. Part of that plan is for us to live an overcoming life where we can be freed of the hurts and pains and the accusations that come from the world and the evil one. And part of that plan is for us to constantly seek Him, trust Him and to live our our lives in the order that he has established for us.

Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, what are immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing and things like these.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5: 19-25)







 

The Prophetic Importance of 2017

In October of 2014 I wrote a post about the good possibility that something very major will happen in relation to the nation of Israel and the city of Jerusalem (and by association to the Christian Church) in the year 2017. Check it out HERE. Critical dates for Israel in the past include 70 AD, 1517 (500 years ago), 1897 (120 years ago, 1917 (100 years ago, 1947 (70 years ago) and 1967 (50 years ago).

Just to briefly touch on the 1967 date - It was in June of that year during the Six Day War that Israel gained control over the entire city of Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Golan Heights. At that point God had given complete control over the entire city of Jerusalem, including the ancient site of the Temple Mount, back to Israel. However, not trusting God and worried about Muslim and Arab reactions Israel returned control over certain parts of Jerusalem including the Temple Mount to them.

Early in January of this year, 2017, the United Nations passed article 2334 which basically states that Israel has no rights to any parts of the West Bank and Golan Heights and no historic claim to Jerusalem. The United States in the past has always vetoed similar resolutions but this year was different. There were indications that the outgoing Obama administration was actually involved behind the scenes to create the resolution. When it was time to vote the United States abstained, thus allowing for the first time one of these resolutions to pass.

Last week 70 nations (there is that number again) meet in Paris for a "Peace Summit" in the attempt to force Israel to return to it's pre-1967 borders, borders that were not then or now defensible. Or in other words, without anything in return including security concerns they were trying to figure out a way to force Israel to give up the West Bank, the Golan and control over Jerusalem.

Just before the meeting began President Elect Trump voiced his displeasure with the gathering. Taking a clue from this The United Kingdom refused to participate. Many of the other main players then realized (despite the attendance of outgoing Secretary of State Kerry) that the one country (The USA) most able to enforce any agreement was not going to do so. The summit basically fizzled out.

Apart from the concurrence of dates listed above there are many other reasons to get excited for what may happen prophetically this year. If you have the time it would be well worth it to check out Daniel Matson's web site http://watchfortheday.org/ . There are many great articles there but especially check out the ones that talk about the The Sign Of The Woman.

In Revelation 12: 1-2 it says:

A great sign appeared in heaven: A woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown with twelve stars: and she was with child, and she cried out, being in labor and in pain to give birth.

The chapter then goes on to talk about a second sign in the heavens about a great red dragon which waits to devour the child.

The sign that appears in Revelation is symbolic of Joseph's dream found in Genesis and that lets us know that the identity of the women is Israel. But what is really interesting is that this sign also refers to an actual arraignment of stars or constellation that the ancient world was well aware of.

The constellations all seem to move during the seasons in relation to our position on Earth and into and through these star formations move planets, comets and meteor showers. Each constellation has a certain meaning assigned to it as does each planet. The position of the constellations and planets both past and future are all on computer. Thus someone can study the star charts back in 2 BC or look ahead in time to this September.

On September 23rd, 2017 there will be an alignment in Virgo which has not happened for at least the last 3000 years. Virgo (the virgin) which has a crown of 9 stars will have three planets (which appear as stars) also in her crown (12 stars, which represent the 12 sons of Jacob, thus the 12 tribes of Israel, thus the nation of Israel). The moon will appear under her feet, the rising sun will also be in the constellation (which will actually make it difficult then to actually see the stars). The planet Jupiter (the King planet) will be present in the virgin's womb. I could go on but hopefully you are getting the picture. To see the actual charts check Matson's site, again listed HERE.

We are now in the Jewish year 5777. At sundown on September 20 begins the Jewish Feast of Rosh Hashanah, also known as the Feast of Trumpets, also known as The Jewish New Year (starting 5778).

On sundown September 22, 2017, Jewish year 5778, which then includes all of the day until sundown of September 23, is the Jewish feast of Shabbat Shuva. What is that?

Shabbat is of course Friday evening through Saturday evening, the Jewish day of worship.The Shabbat Shuva celebrates the one Shabbat that occurs between the Jewish feasts of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur and is celebrated by the blowing of the shofar. According to Jewish tradition, Shabbat is taken from a verse in Hosea which literally means "return".

So we will have a Jewish feast day on September 23, 2017,which features the blowing of a Jewish trumpet signifying return, the same day that there will be for the first time we know about a sign in the heavens of the woman mentioned in Revelation 12, clothed with the sun, standing on the moon, with a crown of 12 stars, and pregnant with a kingly man child.

I am not making any predictions of the rapture or anything else, but it will be very interesting to see what will take place this year.  Keep watching!

One January

When the snows of January come I am reminded of another January not that long ago when we heard that our nephew Matt Johnson was missing in Japan. Matt was there on business but no one knew what other plans he had.

His snow covered rental car was found in a parking lot not far from a building that serviced visitors who wanted to view or even climb Mt. Fuji. There are marked trails that lead to the summit.

We found out a week or two later that Matt had stopped there on the morning of his solo climb to purchase two post cards. He wrote that the weather was cold but the air was clear and it was a great day for a climb.

Matt did make it to the summit, the starting point for this poem.

One January

Sacred ground, lofty, rocky
and upon it he placed his Nikon,
facing East behind the setting sun,
and there he stood, arms resting
on hips, against the wide, wide
early evening deep blue sky
that said - forever

She dreamed that two angels
lifted him off a boulder and placed
him just so, then carried him away

Snows melted, Spring came,
men who are charged to do these
types of things followed the valleys
and found the frame that climbed
on high, and rode so long
and danced to it's own tune

But him they did not find

Listening

I conduct driving tests, mostly for adults. Without much prompting I might hear a person's life story. Sometimes I offer a little advice. At the end of our drive I may ask if I can pray for them. Mostly, I just listen.

can I display

his love today

or will it simply be

a wondering

or pondering

at one

or two

or three

yet here I am

deep in this plan

deciding

which is best

to share a bit

of divine wit

from heaven's

open hand

now one may question

what is best

for those

who have no joy

they're deep in thought

of what

life brought

and cannot redeploy

yet here

I stand

to hold

a hand

and feel a beating heart

to say

I know

let's take it 

slow

you get another start

and so

it was

only because

I took the time to care

they told

the pain

direct and plain

then came my turn to share

of love for me

eternity

the joy

deep in my soul

and love

for you

all fresh and new

if only

you let go

there comes a time

we think

is fine

to sing of his great plan

with chorus loud

in a great crowd

eyes closed

with upraised hand

but sometimes

we

are also free

to mourn

with those who groan

and share

a moment

quietly

we grieve

but not 

alone

Diary Of A Charismatic: Essays On The Spirit-Filled Life

Announcing the publication of my third book!  (although - so sad - no more books in sight)

Diary Of A Charismatic is something I am so pleased to share because it represents for me the main reason I started blogging many years ago. Yes, I love to tell funny stories and to write poems and to sometimes opine on political subjects. However the core of who I am, how I see life, what motivates me day to day and hour to hour, is my relationship with God the Father, through Jesus His Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit.

I started writng because I wanted to be able to share in at least some little part how God has moved in my life, what I have seen and heard, spiritual insights that I've been given, and more than anything else, how we can never go wrong by trusting in the Lord who knows us, loves us and always desires the best for us.

The book has about 50 essays, edited and taken from past blog posts, that cover subjects like faith, grace, trust, spiritual gifts and much more.

The Amazon listing is here