A VICTORY won! But the battle is not over …

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.   1 Corinthians 15:57 niv

Words from antiquity, yet they resonate truth even today.  Thankfully, His power enables us to fight and be victorious!

It is unimaginable to expect a defenseless person, completely out matched and out right hunted by predators, to be on display whether in our real physical world or merely in “entertainment.” Yet just such “entertainment” has been produced!  Mason Beasler examines the movie’s message of conditioning in his article:  Respectable Murder (see link below):

And Fox News released a special report concerning its reprehensible content:

In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises. Psalm 10:2 niv

Across our country there is an outcry for unity, yet individualism is championed.  We would be wise to reflect on a time when individual preference and pursuits were celebrated as paramount.  Such a time occurred in Israel’s history as recorded in Judges (see chapters 19-21).  This was a time when everyone did as they saw fit in their own eyes.  None had concern for others nearby.  None had concern for the good of their neighbor.  None had concern for the innocent and vulnerable, even they were left to fend for themselves.  (sound familiar?)  In the end, an entire tribe of Israel was almost annihilated after civil war broke out.  In our country, we might equate that with an entire state almost being removed from the map.  Yet, sadly, have we reached the pinnacle of modern civilization?  Are we now reverting to similar savagery and perilous times?  And if not physically, what might the seeds of such entertainment messaging produce in the next season.  What would be our harvest? 

The faithful have been swept from the land; not one upright person remains. Everyone lies in wait to shed blood; they hunt each other … Micah 7:2 niv

Let us not passively sit by, folding our hands and reasoning there is little we can do! 

 A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches (https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/indifference. Retrieved:  2019-08-09)

It is time to take up our armor and fight! 

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. ¹⁹ Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel ²⁰ … Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.   Ephesians 6:10-20 niv

What is first manifested in the spirit, will eventually be manifested in the physical. 

Thankfully, One Million Moms reported in an email yesterday that many have made an outcry against such deplorable entertainment.  And as a result, release of ‘The Hunt’ was canceled. 

A VICTORY has been won!  But the battle is not over … let us be ever vigilant! That which has reared its ugly head once will likely try again.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.   1 Peter 5:8 niv