As Orthodox Christians, our highest calling is to evince God’s will, to love as He taught, to humbly ask the Holy Spirit to guide our every decision.
In all matters it is the spiritual, holiness, which must be our highest priority.
Confusion on any matter or decision need not plague us, if we courageously make His will our will.
In the US, we live in a society that is antithetical to the will of God… a wicked society which honors and celebrates depravity, perversity, and abominations. Murder, unjustified killing, is glorified be it through abortion, euthanasia, and the military in its unjustified use worldwide (directly and indirectly with weapons, financial aid, intelligence and sometimes troops for US hegemony – not defense). All manner of sexual aberrations are now promoted in the name of tolerance. Sadly, the US is the source from which most of the evil worldwide emanates.
As an Orthodox Christian, nothing should take priority above righteousness. No fear of what could happen should lead us to compromise with evil to any degree. All aspects of life should be given to God.
We betray our faith if we begin to let fear lead us to join with the Satanically-controlled society. Its temptations take many forms: To begin to think our well-being or the fate of humanity is dependent upon our participation in the faithless activities around us is a Satanic deception. To engage in such behavior is to fall for the temptation of the humanistic lie that it is up to you – your mind – your participation – to ensure what is best. Never think for one moment that your fallible mind is to be trusted when it suggests you can choose a “little” evil and escape the spiritual laws which come with that willful disobedience. (For no willful decision to sin is “little.”)
Whether, for example, in the political arena and its politicians, the activities we allow our children to participate in, or the entertainment we partake in (just a few examples), each of us should ask ourselves if we are rationalizing our actions to fit in with those around us rather than endeavoring to put the truth of our faith first in every decision we make.
You are an Orthodox Christian; you will be different from those around you. The martyrs died rather than betray their faith, you are most likely facing much less repercussion for not choosing conformity and staying true to your faith in all matters.
Moral relativism is a tool of Satan – meant to weaken even those professing faith in God. Compromise with evil, to any degree, brings one onto the slippery slope which ends in destruction. One must not underestimate the power of evil, for once even a “little” is accepted, Satan can use that foothold to destroy.
If holiness is your focus, you will say, as Jesus said to Satan when presented with temptations, “ Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” (Matthew 4:10, KJV).
As Orthodox Christians we must strive to never align ourselves, we must never support, anyone or anything which we know is or promotes evil for some perceived benefit. There is no gray area when it comes to evil.
It is not only our actions, but the actions of those we support for which we are also morally accountable.
I have read that St. John Chrysostom stated, “Not only those who do evil, but also those who approve of them, are subject to the same or even more severe punishment.” As of yet, I’ve been unable to verify its attribution in an original text, but its truth is certainly consistent with Romans 1:32, “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. (Romans 1:32, KJV)
It should be obvious to any faithful Orthodox Christian that we must not knowingly engage in or support evil-doing or its perpetrators. To knowingly validate an evildoer is to become morally culpable for the evil they commit. – be it murder, perversity, or any number of sins.
God has not told us to weigh some lives as more important than others.
We cannot, for example, give our support to someone we know is advocating for the murder of anyone (be it babies in the womb or the mass murder/genocide in Gaza and Lebanon). Or, if in our daily lives, we cannot minimize our participation in ungodly activities, as if a “little” sin is acceptable to God. To know beforehand something or someone is evil and proceed anyway is to defy God’s laws and His will for your life.
If any decision must be made, personal for yourself and family or in regard to society, to do or not to do something, and if there is a serious doubt existing in your mind, abstain. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you. But do not, out of fear of social disapproval or any other fear men have placed into your mind, proceed with it.
You should be in perfect peace whenever you make a decision, and if not, you are not within God’s will – it is a clear warning when one experiences such internal conflict.
To knowingly engage in or to knowingly support any evil or evildoer is the difference between living in faith as an Orthodox Christian or being an Orthodox Christian in name only.
A few Scriptures to ponder:
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2, KJV).
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6, KJV).
“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Colossians 3:1-2 KJV).
But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. (Matthew 24:13, KJV).
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