Good men can’t stay passive…
Are you among the growing number who think it’s time to resist lawlessness?
But are you unsure what to do?
Lawlessness must be resisted.
It’s the rejection of God’s authority. And lawlessness is dangerous…
It spreads, hardens hearts, destroys order, and invites judgment.
Good men must resist lawlessness because governing and protecting are fundamental to what God made men to do.
But how do we biblically resist lawlessness?
Here are five things an ordinary person can do:
1. Govern yourself well.
Resistance begins with habitual obedience, not outrage.
Jesus says “If you love me, you will keep my commandments (Jn. 14:15).
So begin resisting lawlessness by putting to death what is earthly in you (Col. 3:5).
2. Seek truth and discernment.
Lawlessness is fueled by lies.
That’s why men must learn to think biblically.
“Test everything; hold fast to what is good” (1 Thess. 5:21).
3. Pursue love that is not permissive.
Biblical love is not unlimited tolerance.
It addresses what needs to be addressed for the sake of restoration.
“Love does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth” (1 Cor. 13:6).
4. Expect legitimate authorities to restrain evil.
God established civil government to restrain evil (Rom. 13:1-4).
Lawlessness increases when this authority is neglected, inverted, or corrupted.
So respectfully—and firmly— insist civil authorities fulfill their God-given role.
5. Persevere in faith and hope.
Resistance to lawlessness cannot be reactionary.
It is part of faithful, long-term obedience–among those seeking to build and not destroy,
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom. 12:21).
Finally, do not forget the basics…
Be prayerful.
Walk in the Spirit.
Conform your life to God’s Word.
… And develop the habit of speaking up and acting on behalf of what’s right.
God is a God of order. And He’s ordained laws for our good.
These laws restrain evil and show us how to please Him and love our neighbor.
So lawlessness must be confronted.
And faithful men should have no hesitancy in doing so.
It goes hand-in-hand with ruling well what God has entrusted to you.