The Christian Resistance: How To Say "No" To Evil

Phillip Krueger Page 1 2/9/2009

THE CHRISTIAN RESISTANCE:

HOW TO SAY NO TO EVIL

Exodus 22:28“You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler “of your people.”

New International Version (NIV)

2-8-09

1. There are times in life that we will be asked to participate in something we

feel to be immoral, unethical, illegal, dishonest or unscriptural.

a) It becomes more complicated when the one asking us to compromise is

an authority over our life.

b) What should a Christian do when we are asked to cooperate with (or

look the other way) on something that we feel to be wrong or even evil?

c) “Someone has said before you say “no” to your boss, take a good look

at both sides—his side and the outside.”

d) The Bible tells us in 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 We live in this world, but we

don’t act like its people or fight our battles with the weapons of this

world. Instead, we use God’s power that can destroy fortresses. We

destroy arguments Contemporary English Version (CEV)

e) We can behave in such a way

that our Christian witness is actually strengthened

that God’s kingdom has a chance to work through us on people’s

hearts.

2. Here is a current example:

a) On November 4th a new president was elected by the American people.

b) He was sworn into office on Tuesday, January 20, 2009.

c) In terms of electoral votes it was a landslide; but the popular vote was

53% to 46%.

d) Many Christians did not vote for this President on scriptural grounds—

believing he supports and promotes many things the Bible forbids.

e) How can Christians stand up for truth in a wise and God-honoring

manner?

3. I found it interesting that President Obama asked Pastor Rick Warren to

give the prayer at his Inauguration.

a) That prayer was a sermon from a conservative Baptist minister.

b) Pastor Rick prayed for almost 5 minutes!

Phillip Krueger Page 2 2/9/2009

c) Evangelist Dwight L. Moody once said, “I’d rather be able to pray than

to be a great preacher; Jesus Christ never taught his disciples how to

preach, but only how to pray.”

d) You should watch it on Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQ3i9Uu1PJg

e) Rick Warren preached the Gospel message as on and on he prayed!

4. Warren ended by praying the Lord’s Prayer.

a) The camera panned the crowds during the Lord’s Prayer.

b) Many were praying the prayer with Pastor Rick and many were not.

c) One, who sat in stony silence and clinched jaw, was President Barack

Obama. He chose not to join in.

d) Chuck Norris commented on this on his website saying, “God’s will is

not always done. … when you pray, ’Thy will be done,’ you’re saying … ’I

accept your plan, and I surrender to God’s control…Reciting the Lord’s

Prayer is pleading with God to erect his kingdom and execute his desires

on earth as they are in heaven. It is calling upon the one true God,

asking for his nature to overrun ours, his wishes to be fulfilled (not ours),

and his rule and reign to be established (not ours)…it is the most

"dangerous" prayer one can pray if one wants to continue to live selfishly,

misuse power and maintain control over others…Why would Warren,

who thoroughly understands the Scriptures, pray that particular prayer at

the transference of new political powers with whom he largely disagrees?

The answer is obvious…Warren was being as "shrewd as a serpent and

innocent as a dove."

e) Chuck Norris was quoting Jesus who said, I am sending you out like

sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent

as doves. Matthew 10:16 New International Version (NIV)

5. Obama took flack for allowing Rick Warren to give the prayer

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syIEoSIJHis&feature=related).

a) A reporter asked Obama: “Good morning sir I have a question about

Pastor Rick Warren. He holds a number of social views that are at odds

with your own views and with those of your very strong supporters. I’m

wondering what went into your decision for choosing him for this

prominent role at a time when you are dotting every “I” and crossing

every “T.” This sends some very important signals. Obama responded,

Phillip Krueger Page 3 2/9/2009

“I think that it is no secret that I am a fierce advocate for equality for gay

and lesbian Americans. It is something that I have been consistent on,

and something I intend to continue to be consistent on during my

presidency. Even though we might have disagreements over certain

social issues, I would note that a couple of years ago, I was invited to

Rick Warren’s Church to speak despite his awareness that I held views

that were entirely contrary to his views on gay and lesbian rights and