Post Election Fallout

Whenever you turn on the news, you get multiple assessments of our nation's and world's problems ad nauseam. Depending on which pundits, networks, or politicians you listen to, the explanations of the reasons for all the turmoil go on and on. In my latest book, Lectures from the Gates of Hell, I attempt to give Hell's perspective. Assuming you take seriously what Scripture teaches, this volume should offer some insight into what is happening all around us. Consider a few basic observations.

     First, people are not the enemy. Spiritual forces are at work to destroy humanity. Jesus pointed out that Satan's agenda is to kill, steal, and destroy. Satan's goal specifically is to destroy the work of God, and to create as much misery in the process as he possibly can. Satan's attacks are against people, all of whom are created in the image of God. If you are a living breathing human being, you are a target.

   Second, life is a massive battle-field where Satan is attempting to destroy God's work, God's people, and humanity in general. When you look at the sources of all your troubles, they are all rooted in the spiritual dimension. Consider what is driving the turmoil and misery you observe. Instead of pointing at a person (or a political party) to affix blame, consider the true source.

     Third, the real problem for each person is the presence of sin in the human heart. That is the foot-hold of Satan in each of us. And that is what Jesus came to deliver us from. Until we see this clearly, we will continue to swirl around in the circumstances created by Satan.

     Until we see life from God's perspective, we are simply spinning our wheels as the old saying goes. Learn more in my new book, Lectures from the Gates of Hell. You can get it on sale at DrJerrySutton.com, or your local bookstore.

John Grisham

     I have to confess, ever since my eyes caught sight of THE FIRM displayed at Barnes & Noble years ago, I have been a John Grisham fan. Grisham tells a great story, but what I love about his writing is that he manages to weave a moral insight into most of his books. A TIME TO KILL is a story about justice and those who fight for it at personal risk. GRAY MOUNTAIN is a story about poverty, dishonest big business, and legitimate environmental concerns. ROGUE LAWYER is a series of vignettes about an attorney who defends the indefensible.

     THE CHAMBER affected me more than most of his other writings. It is the story of one case of capital punishment. It was told in such a way, however, that the observer sees the politics involved, and the image and perception issues of politicians who make the decision to execute a convicted felon. It asks the serious question of what is justice. Sub-plots that emerge are discussions of the incredible amounts of money spent on no hope defenses, the sadness of those who cannot afford a credible defense, and the what ifs should a person be proved innocent post-execution. It made me reevaluate how I view the whole issue of capital punishment.

     What I find most intriguing about Grisham's work, is his ability to expose moral issues, wrap them in a story, and facilitate thought on those issues. Psychologists point out that normally the reticular activation system (RAS) inside the brain prohibits the consideration of new facts should they run contrary to our preconceived opinions. When wrapped in a story, however, that RAS can be by-passed and serious issues can be examined. Grisham is a master at this.

     In my newest book, LECTURES FROM THE GATES OF HELL, I examine how humanity is at war with Satan and his minions. I tell it in such a way, hopefully, that people will see past their preconceived notions and realize that spiritual warfare is not fantasy, but cold hard reality. I have learned a thing or two from Grisham and his writing.

The Root Cause

     A lot of tragic things have happened in recent days. Mass shootings by a radical Islamist terrorist, a Christian singer murdered, a little child killed by an alligator. Each of these events is a manifestation of evil in its most brutal form. We live in a day when so many things seem to be spiraling out of control that addressing issues, multiple issues, seems to never end. What do you think is behind all of this? The healing of America and the world will never come as long as the diagnosis for what afflicts us is vague and perpetually undefined. I suggest what many may well perceive as a foolish even simplistic hypothesis: The root cause behind these things is spiritual and demonic. Why would I say something like that?

     First, recognizing the spiritual and demonic presumes a biblical world-view as the unchanging and normative reality. It views God as the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, and Satan and his minions as the rebels attempting to destroy God's handiwork. It sees people as the objects of God's love and Satan's hate. It accepts at face value Jesus' statement, "the thief (Satan) has come to steal, kill, and destroy, but I have come that you might have life and that more abundantly." It also embraces the Apostle John's pronouncement that "The Son of God has appeared that He might destroy the works of the devil."

     Second, recognizing the spiritual and demonic acknowledges their intentional activity as intelligently designed to damage, if not to destroy, the human race. This comes primarily through deception convincing people that good is evil and evil is good. It attacks on a multiplicity of fronts. Satan is an equal opportunity destroyer. If he can distort sexuality, plant greed, create addictions, cultivate pride, foster religions that are destructive to humanity, distort truth, foster racial hatred, or produce power hunger, it all works for him. The goal of his end game is to destroy people and destroy the work of God.

     So, how do we fight and defeat this demonic cancer? First, pray in opposition to what Satan is doing. Prayer is more powerful than anyone imagines. In our world, it is not that prayer has been tried and then failed, rather it has been found difficult and left untried. Let me remind you that Jesus Himself said, “Whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive."

     Second, in your arena of influence, stand up and be counted. Righteousness is something that must be lived out, communicated, and defended. This is true of the home, the classroom, the market place, and the corridors of power. One of the great tragedies of our time is the silence of good people in the face of evil.

     Next, I challenge you to see the powers behind the activities. Our fight is not with people, but rather demonic forces influencing people. Recall James' words, "Submit yourselves therefore unto God, resist the devil, and he will flee." So, let's keep our focus where God instructed us to place it.

     Finally, I challenge you to simply put your trust in God and His power to change the present reality. I remind you of Proverbs which says, "Trust in The Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths."

     If the root cause of the world’s tragedies is spiritual and demonic, then we would be wise to embrace John's words cited earlier, "The Son of God appeared that He might destroy the works of the devil." Let's trust Him to do what only He can accomplish.