Atrocity Velocity

“Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem… And he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, according to the despicable practices of the nations whom the Lord drove out before the people of Israel.  He rebuilt the high places that Hezekiah his father had destroyed, and he erected altars for Baal and made an Asherah,.. and worshiped all the host of heaven and served them. He built altars in the house of the Lord, of which the Lord had said, ‘In Jerusalem will I put my name.’  He built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the Lord.  He burned his son as an offering and used fortune-telling and omens and dealt with mediums and with necromancers. He did much evil in the sight of the Lord, provoking him to anger… 

“Moreover, Manasseh shed very much innocent blood, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another, besides the sin that he made Judah to sin so that they did what was evil in the sight of the Lord.” 2 Kings 21:1-7a,16

“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” Matthew 18:6

“Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.” “Decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.” Romans 1:32; 14:13

“Take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.” 1 Corinthians 8:9

Multiplication and velocity are great positive powers when in tandem with good, but connected to sin, they are insidious, destructive, and devastating to whole populations. To grow in grace, bear spiritual fruit, and spur one another on to love and good deeds are Spirit-inspired callings, but to act wickedly and infect others to do the same opens a sucking spiral downward that brings contagious destruction. As a leader, so goes his people. (Hebrews 10:24; 2 Peter 3:18)

While we know an upward trajectory in life is set by God’s grace, we make daily choices about whom we serve. With anyone but God on the throne, all of life is askew, increasingly littered with idols that delude and destroy. Personal behavior becomes public disorder as sin spreads its ugly poison. Colleagues, communities, even subsequent generations are adversely affected. (2 Kings 21:18-22; Ephesians 2:8-10; Philippians 2:13)

Do we recognize the far-reaching nature of poor choices? Are we so quick to react or quip or push ahead that we don’t consider the consequences of our actions on those around us? If we seek and submit to ongoing sanctification, God trains in wisdom and self-control.

We may be appalled at brash immorality, rudeness, and violence, and rush to blame and criticize others. But where can we stem the flow of disrespectful conversation, cutting corners, temper? Would we ask God to search us and remove the sin we harbor and display, so that we cause others to look to Him and fall not away, but on their knees in worship? (Psalm 139:23-24; Matthew 5:16)

Lord, may my life and loves be a velocity only for good and Your glory. Psalm 141:3-4,8