Year of Realization - Day 41: Evil demands total compliance.

“Haman was a happy man as he left the banquet! But when he saw Mordecai sitting at the palace gate, not standing up or trembling nervously before him, Haman became furious.”

‭‭Esther‬ ‭5‬:‭9‬ ‭NLT

Some people say that they don’t want to be involved in a church or a body of believers because they don’t want to be forced into some mold, that they are free thinkers, they don’t want any way of being and doing “foisted” on them.

Ironically, truth be told, evil forces are much more restrictive (in terms of forced compliance) than the forces of good.

In fact, evil demands lockstep compliance. If you don’t believe the way they believe, think the way they think, or do what they do, you are labeled as a rebel, a “hater,” or even a terrorist!

I saw a news story the other day about a Catholic priest who was arrested in the United Kingdom for SILENTLY praying near an abortion clinic. As the story goes, the arresting officers even asked him WHAT he was praying about! Now, if that doesn’t send off all kinds of bells and alarms in your heart and mind, then you have grown insensitive to what’s going on around you.

You know, we used to jokingly talk about the “thought police”: people who wanted to dictate how/what you think. We had no idea that “thought police” would become a thing, that police would ask exactly what you’re thinking, exactly what you’re praying, to determine if it’s “inappropriate” or even illegal!

As an aside here: as children of God, as followers of Christ, we must not operate with the same attitude as that of evil. In other words, when you interact with people who think very differently than you, don’t let that steal your peace or interrupt your work for the Lord. The Lord doesn’t force anyone to think a certain way, and neither should we. Now, obviously, this does not extend into the area of us not caring what laws are passed, etc. I’m talking about our interactions with people on all levels. We should feel free to express our beliefs, and even be patient to hear out those who don’t approach with belligerence. But we must also keep our eyes and hearts fixed on Jesus, doing what He sent us to do. We must not become sidetracked, trying to force anyone to believe any certain way. Additionally, we must not allow those who think differently than us, cause angst or bring agitation.

The spirit of the Lord calls, invites, woos, and yes, even warns, but never coerces.

Alternatively, evil demands, accuses, threatens, punishes, and abuses those who will not conform to its way of being and doing. And that brings us to where we are in the story of Esther.

In our opening scripture we see that Haman—having just left a banquet with Esther and the king—should be on top of the world. But instead—even though he knows that a plan is in place to destroy Mordecai—he just can’t shake his disdain for that one “belligerent” Jew.

Don’t be surprised when evil tries to coerce you to conform; but don’t let people operating in evil tactics cause you to change your way of being and doing. Of course we should not be turned away from our Christian walk, but as well, we should not allow their methods to take our peace or tempt us to employ their same tactics.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

#yearofrealization