Christian Angst Toward the World
The born again are given eyes to see (1 Cor 2:15). With a view of the world, from God’s perspective, angst develops toward evil doers.
Christians are delivered from the domain of darkness (Col 1:13), by the Spirit of God and the Word of God (Jn 8:32; 16:13; 17:17). Love for sins is turned to hatred for sin. When a sin temporarily visits the Christian, there is a grief and remorse that immediately follows the weak moment of the flesh.
Because the flesh is weak and the whole world lies in the power of the devil (1 Jn 5:9), our adversary delights in the transgressions of God’s adopted children. Humiliated, the situation is only exacerbated by evasive excuses. Christians need to live every moment in amendatory repentance — confessing their sins to one another with expedience. The redeemed are ever praising God, for sending His only begotten Son to save His people from all over the world (Jn 3:16), from their sins (Mt 1:21). Thanksgiving for God’s forgiveness is part of our reasonable service of worship.
The world is orchestrated for the enslavement of people, to the dominion of Satan and sin. It is also a terrorist enterprise against Christians, who must expose its evil, so the people of the world might know (Eph 5:11). When the devil promotes sexual deviance, the Christian must show people the Law of God, so they know what God has deemed to be sin. They must then speak the truth in love, as it is in Jesus Christ (Eph 4:15). Christ alone can deliver His chosen people from captivity to the lies that hold them in sinful rebellion against God. This is a matter of mercy and sovereign grace (Rom 9:16; 11:5; Eph 2:8–9).
“My zeal has consumed me, because my adversaries have forgotten Thy words (Ps 119:139),” is the source of Christian angst toward evil doers. People celebrate sin and rebellion against God, when they suppress the truth in unrighteousness (Rom 1:18). God’s Word is truth (Ps 119:160; Jn 17:17). It is very pure (Ps 119:140).
Christians are wise to make Christ known. They must preach Christ and Him crucified in their homes, in their assemblies, and in the marketplace (1 Cor 2:2). Without God’s Word being proclaimed to all creatures (Mk 16:15), His Word is forgotten. When His Word is forgotten, sin fills the void.
Sin calls good, “evil.” Sin calls evil, “good.” Where sin abounds, there is a need for the washing of the water by the Word (Eph 5:26). Sin thrives in darkness, so the Christian light must shine in the darkness (Mt 5:16). God’s Word is a lamp to Christian feet and a light to the way, on his journey through the valley of the shadow of death (Ps 119:105).
God hates sin (Ps 5:5; 11:5), therefore, the Christian must hate sin, too. This begins with his own sins, but he must hate the sin that also dominates his neighbor in ignorance and addiction. To love one’s neighbor, the Christian must desire liberation for his neighbor. Christ sets the Christian free from slavery to sin (Is 61:1; Jn 8:32; Lk 4:18; Rom 6:6, 16–20), and the saint bears witness to the sinner of the great things God has done on his behalf.
When the sinner rejects the Christian witness and worldview, he is rejecting the Holy Spirit, who always tells the truth (Jn 16:13; 2 Cor 3:17). Seeing his neighbor blinded in his mind, by the devil (2 Cor 4:4), the Christian’s angst increases because of the world’s stronghold.
A beautiful girl prostitutes her character with semi-nude photos on social media. Her own narcissism is unknown to her. She is blind to her self-centered sinfulness, seeking the praise and adoration from others’ lust-filled eyes. The Christian grieves for her, and with attempts to correct, reprove, or rebuke her, he is excoriated by the hatred of fellow sinners who support her “liberty.” What is a Christian to do?
The Word of God is the wisdom of God, and when we are lacking wisdom in a situation, we must prayerfully consult the Bible. It is always wise to ask for guidance in daily matters. The Spirit is our guide, and He is a happy Helper to those who diligently seek Him (Jn14:26; Heb 11:6).
Navigating the oversensitive world of political correctness does not demand an overly crass approach to the wicked ways of the world. Angst is not anger, but a grieved lament and longing for the glory to come with eternal life (Rom 8:18). Simple statements of truth, especially Bible passages and doctrines that address the offender’s offense are sufficient.
Christian, you are in a spiritual warfare (Eph 6:10–20). The war for truth, against the lies of the enemy, require for you to know the truth (Jn 8:32; 2 Pet 3:18), in order for you to speak the truth. The world may hate you (Jn 15:18–25), but with the truth, you have endeavored to love your neighbor, as you should (Lev 19:18; Mt 5:43). As you do, remember your objective is to win souls (Prv 11:30); therefore, be wise as a serpent, but harmless as a dove (Mt 10:16). Then, witness the wonderful works of God that win the day. He has overcome the world…just as He said.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
August 28, 2022
