Dear Editor:

The world has always been like it was in Noah’s day right before the flood. In Noah’s day it was full of wicked people, whose thoughts would be constantly and fully evil. And the world was full of corruption, violence and depravity everywhere.

In the U.S. today, our politicians are corrupt and a lot of them don’t believe in God, but they act as if they’re gods. Politicians have made laws that go against God, like gay marriage. In some states, a person could be arrested for calling a transgender person by their correct biological pronoun. So the law tries to scare us into turning the truth into a lie. Man’s laws are still being used to persecute those who speak the truth.

So much of the media is manipulative and dishonest, using name calling, exaggeration, “what-if’s,” and fear to turn people against each other. The news media drives people to get violent with each other over politics, religion, gender, gay marriage, race, nationality, immigrants, money, the coronavirus, a statue or a flag. It’s limitless the amount of crazy reasons the media will use to get people to attack each other. I’m so grateful to the Tribune here in Powell. Agree with me or not, they uphold my freedom of speech and print my letters.

There are two types of spirits, the evil spirit of this world who is now at work in those who are disobedient. This spirit is a deceiver; it’s wicked, corrupt, violent, hateful, angry and immoral. It only steals, kills and destroys. The other spirit is the Holy Spirit — the third person in the holy trinity that is God. This spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control in God’s obedient believers. When a person believes by faith in Christ’s justifying death and resurrection, repents of sin and is baptized they receive new birth and the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Christianity is the most persecuted belief in the world. There are Christians in some parts of the world who are laying down their lives for their faith in Christ as martyrs on this very day. Even in America Christians are persecuted for not going along with the world, like abortion, gay marriage and genders. It’s going to get worse, because Jesus also said that the whole world will hate you because you believe and follow him. They will persecute you, arrest you, torture you and kill you.

Jesus commanded us to love our enemies, do good to those who hate us, bless those who curse us, and pray for those who abuse us. Trust in Jesus and no matter what this world throws at us, we will be able to sing and dance and be full of peace and joy.

Remember John 16:33, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

Tim Waters

Powell