| Modern society is so plagued with problems that | | | | It should not be difficult for any believer to see that |
| people from all walks of life are attempting to solve | | | | child abuse figures among the practically endless list |
| as many of them as they can. Many Christians | | | | of the works of the Enemy. While it's a good thing |
| profess belief in the Bible as God's answer and | | | | to desire its eradication, it's not a good thing to |
| solution to every problem that society can and does | | | | accept a solution from the same source that gave |
| face. However, numerous believers are embracing | | | | the problem. Many people, Christian and non-Christian, |
| the solutions that are offered by those who don't | | | | have embraced the "solution" of forbidding parents to |
| consider the Bible as God's word and; consequently, | | | | physically discipline their children. Nevertheless, the |
| ignore its counsel, guidance, instruction, and warnings. | | | | abuse of children has not declined. What is more is |
| If someone truly believes the Bible to be the inspired | | | | that a new problem has arisen--wrongful jailing of |
| word of God in which the answer to all ills is found, | | | | parents and caretakers who have disciplined, but not |
| that individual must accept the Bible's declarations. It | | | | abused their children while abusive parents continue |
| clearly declares the existence of an intelligent entity | | | | to escape the "protective" system. Notice that |
| of various names in scripture but commonly known | | | | solutions from the kingdom of darkness will always |
| as "Satan". Several biblical passages warn of the | | | | contradict the word of God. |
| craftiness of this evil being as well as his mastery of | | | | Proverbs 13:24 says, "he that spareth his rod hateth |
| the art of deception. 2 Corinthians 11:14 says, "and no | | | | his son, but he that loveth him chasteneth him |
| marvel, for Satan himself is transformed into an angel | | | | betimes." To "spare the rod" is to refuse to physically |
| of light." "Transformed" refers to putting on a most | | | | discipline. The words "hateth" and "loveth" simply |
| clever disguise as an angel of light. | | | | refer to the making of choices. One may chose to |
| Revelation 12:9 reveals that the reason for the | | | | refrain from physical discipline because he accepts |
| disguise is to deceive as many as possible, believer or | | | | man's advice over God's, or because he fears man's |
| not. The passage reads, "and the great dragon was | | | | law over God's, or because he sees it as cruel |
| cast out. That old serpent, called the Devil, and | | | | regardless of how God sees it. Decisions such as |
| Satan, which deceiveth the whole world; he was cast | | | | these amount to "hating" the child in that the child's |
| out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with | | | | learning to submit to proper authority and the |
| him." | | | | importance of obedience to the saving of his life, are |
| What does this have to do with the solving of | | | | of less importance. The word "betimes" refers to the |
| society's problems? Everything. All of the evils that | | | | use of physical punishment from an early age. |
| plague man are the works of Satan and have their | | | | Proverbs 22:15 again reminds that, "foolishness is |
| origin in him since the beginning. This is precisely why | | | | bound in the heart of a child, but the rod of |
| the Son of God came to earth. 1 John 3:8 teaches | | | | correction shall drive it far from him." |
| that, "...the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this | | | | It is understandable that those who are not believers |
| purpose the Son of God was manifested that he | | | | will support anti-biblical solutions to society's problems. |
| might destroy the works of the devil." | | | | However, believers claim to be enlightened in spiritual |
| One of the most important truths the believer can | | | | matters. Why then do they embrace the same |
| keep in mind is the need to beware of embracing | | | | problem-causing "solutions" as those who claim no |
| "solutions" to problems that are from the same | | | | special enlightenment? |
| source as the problem itself--the Enemy of God | | | | The example regarding child abuse is only one in |
| masquerading as an angel of light. There are | | | | many that prove that the Enemy's "solutions" never |
| numerous real life examples of this type of deception | | | | has and never will solve the problems that he |
| on top of deception which only stacks problems upon | | | | created in the first place. |
| more problems. | | | | |