The Bible tells us from the pen of Paul that evil exists and its agent is the devil. Many who call themselves Christians try to ignore the existence of evil, but Paul wrote in Ephesians 6:10-13 to his fellow believers: 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  The battle is religious and moral with a fight against the ungodly ideas of humans who refuse to follow God’s teachings. As Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:27: Neither give place to the devil. It is proper to say that the devil has agents in the war against God and the agents are his rulers abiding in spiritual darkness, and who are the adherents of wickedness.

Peter wrote: 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. (1 Peter 5:8-9) The devil comes in many forms and appears in all types of places. A judge in Massachusetts said regarding the issue of parents objecting to items in the curriculum:  "the rights of religious freedom and parental control over the upbringing of children … would undermine teaching and learning…" That is an example of darkness and of spiritual wickedness in high places and the devil prowling to devour the minds of children.

The ruling is counter to what Paul said: And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4) The judge went on to say that the “gay” agenda must be taught to Christians since they need such teaching to be "engaged and productive citizens." How does such instruction make productive citizens? In like manner, a court in Germany said that “the parental "wish" to have their children grow up in a home without such influences "could not take priority over compulsory school attendance." The decision also said the parents do not have an "exclusive" right to lead their children's education.” Those rulings are from the darkness of sin, and are the spiritual wickedness of which Paul wrote and the work of the devil addressed by Peter.

A judge in New Jersey equated homeschooling with child abuse and laid down rules that are counter to New Jersey law. The judge threw a fit and made the new rules because he doesn’t like it that the law doesn’t allow the state to dictate to parents who homeschool their children. (See URL for the judge’s tantrum

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=54624) What’s the issue here? The issue isn’t that homeschooling doesn’t work. The issue is that home schooling diminishes the power of the state and its agenda to control the minds of children. The agent’s of the devil know well that the only way to prevail is to capture the minds of the children.

What course of action can Christians and others who believe in liberty take?  Read Ephesians 6:10-13 again. Arm yourselves with the knowledge of the gospel which will give you power to counter the wickedness of the devil’s agents. We live in a land of liberty and certain laws are available to counter the wickedness of rulings that are against the religious freedom for which the founders fought. Believers must fight for the right to teach their children in the ways of God.

In Sorting It Out, it is plainly evident that evil is afoot in our nation. We must counter it with God’s power and his righteousness and insist that no matter what happens you will follow Ephesians 6:4.

03-16-2007 DEC

   http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=5442 Massachusetts               http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=54463  Germany