viewoutsidethepew

During my days of doctoral study and research I focussed some effort on Micah, translating it and examining the use of Hebrew words. Micah 2:1 struck me then and every time I read it. Just now I read it again, and I admit extreme emotion burst from within at the horror it describes.

“How horrible it will be for those who invent trouble and work out plans for disaster while in bed. When the morning dawns, they carry out their plans because they are able to” (Micah 2:1 God’s Word).

Not only does this magnify the worst of what people do, but exposes human disregard for the True Power, eternity and the lack of love for our neighbours.

I had to stand and pace. What a denunciation of our kind. What a travesty of simple justice. What a soul-numbing revelation.

Plans to harm others made even before getting out of bed, even before falling asleep at night, or while lounging about while the victims work hard to make a living.

Without any compassion the motivation resides in power, the exercise of power, the lust for power, the worship of power – over others.

Thoughts of revenge fall into this category, since the Bible makes it clear that judgment belongs to God (Romans 12:17-19).

Gossip, slander, libel, innuendo, public and private differences of opinion outside of respectful debate, regurgitation of past wrongs and mistakes also belong to the category of power over.

Contempt, open or secret disrespect, abusive language, bullying and discounting the ideas or values of others sit on the same shelf with other demonstrations of illegitimate power and control over another.

Why?

B e c a u s e   y o u   c a n.

Yet you can also choose to love like Jesus. You can choose compassion over contempt. You can practice goodwill instead of gossip.

You can die to self and live to Christ (Galatians 2:20).

Resist human nature that finds pleasure in power – over…

Nurture the new nature that flows from Paraclete within you, which shows love to, rather than power over, your neighbour.

Just because you win doesn’t make you (or your viewpoint) right. If you win by power everyone loses. If you win over through heavenly love everyone wins.

“You mortals, the Lord has told you what is good. This is what the Lord requires from you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to live humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8 God’s Word).