I was recently reading in Acts 3, specifically where Peter and John were called before the high priests.  Verse 18 states, “Then they called them (Peter and John) back in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.”  Peter and John responded to this command in verses 19-20: “But Peter and John replied, ‘Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God.  For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

I was so impressed at this statement, and immediately imagined the “flood” of living water building up inside them, creating an immense pressure that would be impossible to dam up.  I thought about myself.  Have I ever truly felt that I would burst if I did not speak of God’s love and greatness?  I prayed that I, like Peter and John, would be so filled with the Holy Spirit that I, too, would not be able to help speaking out! 

There are many reasons why we don’t “speak out” when it comes to the Gospel of Jesus Christ: fear of people’s reactions and ridicule, alienation of friends and family, job endangerment, man’s laws which forbid it, etc.  In other countries, there may also be the threat of imprisonment, torture and death.  I am rather ashamed when I think of the former reasons when I see what Christians in other countries are going through to share the gospel.  For me, it is the fear of rejection and alienation from family and friends with opposing views that often silences me.  I pictured Peter and John before the very people who murdered Jesus, not only refusing to do as commanded, but stating that they couldn’t help themselves but to speak about what they had seen and heard!  Even the fear of death could not stop them!

Yes, I prayed that the Holy Spirit would fill me up until I overflowed.  As the day wore on, I kept returning to a single thought.  I recently read an article from an evangelical minister which spoke of wickedness in our political leaders, specifically the president.  This article had angered many of my family and friends, who had voted for this president and were outraged at his being called “wicked”.  Although I agreed with the principles of the article, that many of the issues that this president supports and has voted for in the past are against God and thus can be termed “wicked”, I remained silent.  I was not sure what to say, and did not want to anger them further with my agreement.

I began to explore this statement of “wicked”.  I began by looking up definitions in the dictionary (it always helps to fully understand exact meanings of words, and often helps me clarify my thoughts). 

“1. Morally very bad.  Evil. Vile. Vicious.  2. Causing or likely to cause harm, distress, or trouble. (this definition impressed me to further thought).  3. Falling short of a standard.  4. Not conforming to a high moral standard; morally unacceptable. 

I also like to look at words which have a very similar meaning- synonyms- and those that mean nearly the opposite- antonyms- for further refinement of the term I am reviewing, in this case, “wicked”.

SYNONYMS:  deficient, inferior, rotten, substandard, unacceptable, UNGODLY, unsatisfactory, wretched, lesser, low grade, reprehensible, unspeakable, useless, valueless, worthless, insufficient, villainous, black, evil, immoral, iniquitous, nefarious, sinful, unethical, UNRIGHTEOUS, base, contemptible, despicable, evil-minded, ignoble, atrocious, cruel, corrupt, debased, debauched, depraved, perverted, reprobate, CONDEMNED, unclean, fallen, unprincipled, unscrupulous, INCORRECT

ANTONYMS:  excellent, exceptional, superior, ADEQUATE, SUFFICIENT, high-minded, honest, honorable, law-abiding, legitimate, principled, reputable, right-minded, GODLY, straight, upright, approved, clean, correct, decent, exemplary, proper, BLAMELESS, guiltless, chaste, perfect, pure, spotless, good, ethical, moral, RIGHTEOUS, virtuous.

(I capitalized the ones that seemed to stand out to me.)

First and foremost, I believe that we are all sinners, thus “wicked”, until we allow ourselves to be cleansed by the blood of Jesus.  Even then, we continue to sin throughout our earthly lives, though we strive to become more like Christ through prayer, study of God’s word, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and discipline.  I also believe that my sin is no less or no greater than others in the eyes of God, as all sin accuses us and separates us from Him. (for further information and corresponding Bible verses, go back to the website and click on “Salvation”)

All of the definitions were what had immediately come to my mind, with the exception of #2-“Causing or likely to cause harm, distress, or trouble.”  This definition tugged at my heart, and I remembered reading the new president’s agenda at Whitehouse.gov, specifically sections referring to gay rights (under civil rights), abortion and sexual issues (under women).  The following issues are taken from this agenda, not from any articles or opinion pieces:

-“expand access to contraception, health information, preventative services”

-“increase funding for family planning, comprehensive sex education that teaches both abstinence and SAFE SEX methods” (there are none)

-“empower women to prevent HIV/AIDS through the use of a microbicide that they can apply to themselves” (sex without consequences)

-full support for full abortion rights without regulations

Earlier, during the campaign, I had heard Obama speak about “mandatory”, age appropriate sex education to decrease the rate of unwanted pregnancy and abortion by teaching about contraception.  My first thought was that we have had education like this for at least 30 years now, and yet unwanted pregnancy, out of wedlock births, and abortion rates have sky-rocketed instead of decreasing!  Other than teaching God’s views on this issue, what is left to teach?  And would abstinence be a desirable quality and a viable option in the absence of God’s teaching, which of course is not allowed in our schools?

I began to think about our children, sitting in the classroom and learning about “safe sex”.  The Holy Spirit called this verse to my mind:

“But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”  Matthew 18:6 (NIV)

This, my friends, seems to fit our definition of “wicked”, “causing or likely to cause harm, distress, or trouble”!  We have seen the results of the “sexual revolution”:  increases in unwed and unwanted pregnancy, skyrocketing abortion rates, skyrocketing incidences of sexually transmitted diseases, infertility, increased cervical cancer rates among young women, increased rates of breast cancer in women who have had abortions, etc.  The lies about contraception and “safe sex” are killing our children and destroying our families!  Not only do we have this occurring in the classroom, but we have Planned Parenthood clinics teaching and distributing these lies to our children, who need our consent to take an aspirin but can obtain birth control and abortions without our knowledge!  This, I believe, is “WICKED”!

Other issues that lead our children astray are related to rights of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered) community.  Again, I drew the following directly from whitehhouse.gov, agenda tab, towards the end of civil rights:

-Support full federal rights for civil unions for LGBT couples.

-Repeal the Defense of Marriage Act.

-As a US senator, Obama voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment of 2006, which would have defined marriage as between 1 man and 1 woman.

-Ensure full adoption rights for LGBT couples.

I believe that children deserve, and do best, in a traditional, 2 parent household.  ANYTHING that threatens this arrangement, ordained by God, is a danger to our children.  Being raised in a gay household and being taught that this is a valid lifestyle, and even a God ordained lifestyle is detrimental to children’s well-being, as it clearly goes against God’s teaching on homosexuality.  I believe that misleading a child in this direction, or even leading them into the LGTB lifestyle themselves, is a wicked practice, as it is teaching them that God’s laws are wrong, and encouraging them to turn away from God.

I believe that life begins before conception!  Listen to what the Bible tells us:

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you…”  Jeremiah 1:5

I believe that all life comes from God, and that God loves and values us equally:

“For you created my inmost being, You knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”  Psalm 139:13-14

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?  Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father.  And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”  Matthew 10:29-31

Can you imagine counting the number of hairs on anyone’s head?  That is how valuable each and every life is to God.  If He is the one who formed us, if He knew us before we were formed in the womb, if He loves us enough to know the number of hairs on our head, then how do you think He feels about abortion?  This is the very God who gave His only Son to die for the sins of every person (John 3:16).  If God tells us that it is better to be drowned with a millstone around our necks than to lead a little one astray, imagine how He feels about murdering a child?  Our current president is very pro-abortion.  He states so in his agenda, and his voting record on this subject is horrifying to those who fear the Lord.  He has consistently voted prochoice, and has a 100% rating from Planned Parenthood because of his record, both on the State and Federal Level.  He voted for every bill extending abortion rights, against every bill restricting abortion rights, or voted “present”.  He voted against restrictions for partial birth abortion, and even voted against a bill which would require providing medical care to an infant born alive from an abortion attempt, because it would present an undue burden to the mother and further confuse the situation.  Obama even stated that he would not want his daughters to be “punished” with a baby if they made a mistake and became pregnant!

So, if we are teaching children in our schools things that are against God’s commands for our lives, can we say that this is a wicked thing?  Is it wicked to lead our children astray?  What about the child who is in difficult circumstances, who finds him or herself being pressured into a sexual relationship, who is pregnant and scared, or who is confused about feelings towards his or her gender or sexual orientation? Is it wicked to take advantage of their vulnerable state and lead them away from God’s standards? 

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

Not only are we not teaching this generation about the Lord and the great things He has done, we are actually teaching them to go against the standards He has set for us!  How have we come to this point in our country, that is supposedly a Christian nation?

“The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men” Psalm 12:8

“The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.  For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities- His eternal power and divine nature- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.  For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.  Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another.  They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator- who is forever praised. Amen.  Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts.  Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones.  In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another.  Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.  Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, He gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.  They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity.  They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice.  They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless.  Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things, but also approve of those who practice them.” Romans 1:18-32

“Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.”  Matthew 24:12

And again:

“But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”  Matthew 18:6

I highlighted sections of the passages above, because they illustrate how wickedness grows and spreads when those who know better approve, either blatantly under the label of tolerance, or tacitly by remaining silent.  Listen to these words from Ezekiel:

“When I say to a wicked man, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood.  But if you do warn the wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness or from his evil ways, he will die from his sin; but you will have saved yourselves.”  Ezekiel 3:18-19

 I have a daughter who is in college, working on a degree in elementary education.  I am scared for her.  Although she is intending to teach lower grades, according to the agenda, sex education will be at all levels.  What if she is required to teach children that which goes against the will of God?  For instance, what if she is required to read books such as “Heather Has Two Mommies” to her students?  Will she go along to keep her job and turn her back on the things of God, and thus lead His little ones astray, or will she have courage to risk her job and stand up for what is right?  I call on teachers to take a stand on this issue!  Refuse to teach that which is against God!  I am so sorry that you are being placed in this position, and Christian teachers are in my prayers for guidance and protection.  Like Esther, who knows but what you have come to your position for such a time as this?

Parents, we must not allow our children to be led astray!  We can’t sit idly by and allow them to be taught things that go against God.  In doing so, we are also leading them astray! It is not enough to try and counter false teaching with correct teaching at home.  Unless they are strong in faith, it is confusing to hear teachers whom they trust and respect to hear things that go against their parent’s teaching.  This is also a time when they are confused, and pressure from their peers is a strong influence as well.  They tend to elevate teachers they like, and adopt their beliefs.  I encourage parents to attend school board meetings and demand to see the textbooks and curriculum that are being used in your children’s schools.  Stand up and demand that they remove those things that go against God.  Remove your children from classes such as sex education, science if evolution is taught, etc.  If necessary, remove your child from public school and find an alternative way of education, such as a Christian school or homeschooling.  Prayerfully consider your children’s spiritual level, and ask God to reveal His plans for your child.  It may be that God will desire that children who are strong in their faith to remain in the classroom and stand up for what is right as a witness to others.  Christians, we need to be willing and ready to support parents who take this stand.  They may need our help in homeschooling, in purchasing supplies, for guidance in subjects they are not strong in or for financial support to put their children in Christian schools.  They may need help with little ones, help with household tasks, etc.  Let’s be like the early church of Acts and pull together!

I believe that we, as Christians, have a duty to decry this wickedness that is overcoming our nation.  We of course need to extend the love of Jesus and the forgiveness of sins to all, as we are all sinners undeserving of the grace and love so freely offered to us.  However, this does not mean that we are to accept that which goes against God.   I also believe that we need to go directly to those who are promoting wickedness, namely our leaders.  We need to tell them that what they are doing is wicked, and we need to tell those who don’t understand why it is wicked.  If you are unsure how your elected officials are voting, go to the internet.  You will be able to find the voting record of any legislator, on any subject. Call their offices, email their websites, and write letters to the editors of all the papers you can.  Let’s stand up to these people who are leading our children astray!  Make a loud voice!  For a good reference, reread the story of Nathan and King David.   Let’s point the finger at our corrupt leaders and say, “You are the man!”  Be bold, like Peter and John, and stand strong for Jesus.  As this list of Christians grows, we can use it to show to our leaders.  They will know that we are strong and determined.  The Holy Spirit will give us words to say.  Please, I am calling all of us to this task, so that we can save this generation!