By Karen Y. Stevens

Have you ever noticed while watching movies, you’re hoping the bad guy comes out on top?

I watched a series the other day that had nine bank robbers. The series showcased the robber’s lives, more so than the good guys.

It did showcase one good Detective, but in the end, she crossed over to the other side of the law with the bad guys.

No wonder our children and young adults are so confused about right and wrong. Hollywood is slowly brainwashing us. Hello!

One of the 10 Commandments is “thou shalt not steal”. Yet I watched this series, loving all the bank robbers, (and the crossover detective), and applauding their cause.

Revelation 2:6 talks about the Nicolaitans, that God hates their practice. (Note the word hate that God used. Strong word!)

He applauds the Church of Ephesus for hating their practice as well. When He is speaking to the Church of Pergamum, He states He holds it against them, that they allow Nicolaitans in their church. Nicolaitans held to the practice of religious compromise, including the practice of occult paganism.

What would you think if I told you the original Disciples picked a bad guy to serve in the church, and this is the one God is saying He hates?

History tells us that Nicolaitans were the spiritual descendants of Nicolas of Antioch who had been ordained as a deacon in Acts 6:5.

History also tells us that he was originally a pagan immersed in the occult. When he had converted to Christianity, it was at least the second time he had converted from one religion to another.

This should set an example to us to watch out for those who are flighty, or constantly changing their minds.

As I stated earlier, the original Disciples picked this guy, laid hands on him, and prayed him in as a Deacon.

Yet in Revelations 2 it shows he is pulling down the church of Pergamum, and God doesn’t like it. Goes to show you, don’t look at the leaders in the church, but keep your eyes on Jesus and read your Bible.

Yet there are many Leaders in our churches that are doing the same. They are committing adultery, stealing, abuse of power, practicing compromise, etc. If you want to be a Leader in your church, plan on using a lot of discipline.

My church asked that you refrain from various things when you host a small group. They aren’t taking a stand that it will send you to hell on these things, but that it might mislead or offend a new, or old Christian, which is what 1 Corinthians 8:13 teaches.

Matthew 18:6 (paraphrasing) states you’re better off drowning to your death than misleading a Christian.

Pretty strong words as well. So many things can drag us away from our relationship with God. I found if you stick to upholding the 10 commandments, all the other stuff usually falls into place. (Note: I said usually!) So, when Hollywood, or other untruths come our way, we will have enough of standing strong, that we won’t root for the bad guys.

 

Karen Y. Stevens is founder of Orange County Christian Writers Guild