{"id":8950,"date":"2018-08-22T06:57:11","date_gmt":"2018-08-22T10:57:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/intramuralist.com\/?p=8950"},"modified":"2018-08-22T06:59:16","modified_gmt":"2018-08-22T10:59:16","slug":"warring-witches","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/intramuralist.com\/?p=8950","title":{"rendered":"warring witches"},"content":{"rendered":"

[Intramuralist Note: Today features Guest Writer #6 in our annual summer series; the opinions expressed may or may not be held by me, but I value the writer\u2019s expression and their commitment to respect…]<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Warring Witches \u2014 casting curses on enemies. Will this be our demise?<\/p>\n

I was talking with a friend about about conflicting political stances (\u2026 do we mention an example? \u2026 the lesbian group against the trans activists\u2026 freedom of religion vs. a person wanting service in a manner that infringes on the business owner\u2019s values).\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

If we desire a loving response, is that not grace and mercy on both sides? How do we honor both the choice and convictions, for instance, of the Muslim and Christian bakers, the\u00a0Brazilian wax shops, and those who desire services which are in conflict with the server\u2019s conscience? (A Muslim business woman who religiously cannot touch a man and a trans person demanding service.)\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

On my mind are the historic Bible\/Torah stories where the enemy troops would fall into confusion and end up routed, which always sounds so miraculous reading it \u2014 maybe it was! <\/i>But I’m wondering now: could there be another reason?<\/p>\n

Were they bumbling idiots, those confounded military strategists?<\/p>\n

Even the smartest humans \u2014 as much as we think we\u2019re working for any noble cause \u2014 we labor, limited by our own motives and understanding of what\u2019s best. Our desires, even in our closest of social groups \u2014 such as even a marriage or family \u2014 inevitably come into conflict with others.\u00a0So what is the standard?<\/p>\n

We each want to be treated with love and mercy \u2014 yes? And we become offended when we see actions or attitudes contrary to our measure of love. So we want that to change!<\/i> When others have an offense against another, is it right for the offended person to hate the perceived hater?<\/p>\n

How much does that solve? How\u2019s that working for us?! Hate against hate!<\/i><\/p>\n

But what if there was a God that set a standard\u2026 of loving… even enemies?\u00a0What would that look like?<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve heard the age-old question of \u201cwho is my neighbor\u201d in response to the call to \u201clove our neighbor.\u201d But if we are to also \u201clove our enemies,\u201d have we asked the question, \u201cWho is my enemy?\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

And\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2026 what does it look like to love them?\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

If we see that we are each other\u2019s enemy, what is the standard that keeps us from fighting to the death? What do we do instead?<\/p>\n

Friends, if our hearts are not submitted and surrendered to the Higher Source of truth and love, we might be working for a cause for a certain segment of society, but how do we labor in love and peace and hope and joy and self-control and gentleness to all?<\/p>\n

Oh, so many questions!\u00a0And more\u2026 where does mercy play in? \u2026 what is the standard for that? \u2026 if there is a Creator who generously offers love and mercy for all, how do we practice that in the midst of our disagreements? \u2026 are we listening for his instructions, or fighting amongst ourselves? \u2026 and\u2026 does that make us his people, or just prove we\u2019re one of the enemy troops, confounded in fighting each other?<\/i><\/p>\n

Oh, the profound words of Samuel from long ago: \u201cFor rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

What?!\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Rebellion means using our power, created and given by God, for some purpose outside his intent.<\/p>\n

What is His intent?\u00a0How good are we at loving our enemies? Have we ever needed God\u2019s mercy? And am I displaying that mercy to my enemies? (Again, who are my enemies?)<\/i><\/p>\n

Or do we instead fall into that bunch of warring witches\u2026 wishing evil and casting curses upon others?<\/p>\n

Respectfully\u2026<\/p>\n

RH<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[Intramuralist Note: Today features Guest Writer #6 in our annual summer series; the opinions expressed may or may not be held by me, but I value the writer\u2019s expression and their commitment to respect…]   Warring Witches \u2014 casting curses on enemies. Will this be our demise? I was talking with a friend about about … <\/p>\n

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