In the Bible, Joseph was emotionally moved when reuniting with his brothers. Emotions overcame him so much that he had to leave the room to cry (Genesis 43:30). It had been years since he had seen his brothers - he had seen them last when they sold him to slave traders. But, Joseph did not allow his emotions to dictate his actions - Pharaoh had given him boundless authority, and he could have had his brothers executed with a wave of a hand. But instead, he constrained his emotions to the will of God.
Years earlier, his brothers betrayed him, and he was thrown into a pit and considered as dead (Genesis 37:18-20). He was later sold to slave traders, falsely accused of rape, falsely imprisoned, discriminated against by the Egyptians, abandoned and forgotten - and yet, Joseph did not allow his circumstance or environment to make an ungodly choice or decision.
The Christian today is faced head-on with an ungodly culture. Should the believer remain silent or speak out against the culture?
Today, abortion is accepted as “reproductive health care” but denies the unborn child health care and life. In addition, a person is prioritized over another based on the person’s location and age. In our modern American culture - wouldn’t that be considered discrimination?
How is it that Christians are divided on abortion? Christians navigate around abortion based on political or social affiliation rather than the direct guidance of scripture. The Bible clearly states that life begins in the womb and that every person - those in the womb included, has been forethought, planned, designed, and purposed by our Creator. (Psalm 139:13-16, Jeremiah 1:4-8, Galatians 1:14-16)
As sex and sexuality cover the pages of our media platforms and conversations - it now prevails in our school boards, curriculum, and classrooms. Children are being exposed to sexual content, no longer based on biology and science but emotion and feelings. Culture has redefined biological sexes with gender. Merriam-Webster dictionary defines gender as; “behavioral, cultural, or psychological traits.”
Legislators in our country are drafting policies rejecting the science of sexes and affirming gender based on the individual's preference. But, as a society, especially Christians, are we affirming a lie? Are we helping or exacerbating the problem?
Children are innocent, yet they face the most significant threat. Kids are not safe in the womb, and they are not safe in the classroom. Does fear of speaking in truth paralyze the Christian - and would rather speak on emotion to be portrayed as an inclusive Christian?
Joseph had a traumatic childhood. He was not the envy of his brothers, and his brothers had no problem expressing how they felt about him. But, from rags to riches, God would use his trauma for His glory. Eventually, Joseph would be the means of the hope and salvation of Israel, and in doing so, it would save Egypt from famine and death.
Many Christians want to exclude politics from their faith, but they face legislative policies that intrude into the believer's everyday life. As the Christian wallows in emotion and the fear of challenging ungodly politics - children are suffering and dying.
Joseph was not ashamed of His God and announced Him to Pharaoh and Egypt (Genesis 41:16); he did not allow the politics of Egypt to interfere with his faith in God and his decision-making. As a result, Joseph was propelled into politics and became the second leading authority in all of Egypt. His policies would forever change the lives of Israel, Egypt, and the future of humanity.
The Bible says the heart is deceitful above all things (Jeremiah 17:9). Whether you believe the heart is the seat of emotions or not - our emotions can be deceptive.
Like Joseph, the Christian should not allow emotions, which may have been formed by our experiences, political or church affiliation, to dictate our decision-making. Joseph stood firmly on the Word of God and not his emotions - and so should the Christian.
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