LEARNING DAILY

 

Genesis 1:27, So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

 

By now you realize I try to write about something that impacted me during the weekend’s sermon. In his series on issues that are “Trending”, Dr. Ed Newton spoke on the topic of “Woke-ism”. I must preface this page of the blog with I have had a difficult time understanding fully what “woke-ism” is all about.  There was so much information given about this topic that I would suggest you listen to it yourself at OnlineChurch.com, if you are interested. I am going to summarize just a portion of the message as best and as clearly as I can and then give some thoughts.

 

The term “woke” was “first used in 1923 from African American Vernacular English (AAVE) towards racial prejudice and discrimination” (from the Listener Guide Notes given at Community Bible Church).  The Listener Guide Notes continue to say that definition has been modified today to define “Woke-ism as the all-encompassing word for all things considered politically liberal or progressive in belief or practice”. What began as a term to emphasize everything wrong with discrimination and prejudices associated with what was happening in the 1920s, and continues today, has been changed to redefine “historical, social, political, ideological forces” (listener Guide) in our society. This philosophy has invaded our government, educational system, the economy, and religion.

 

What does all this mean? Consider what is happening in our country since the redefining of the term woke. With the addition of the “ism” God has been removed or the attempt to remove God has become a prevalent force.  This is not a new concept as the attempt by groups to remove God have been happening from as long as I can remember. But, with this new push of “woke-ism” the attempt to remove God from significance and replace it with another system of beliefs has grown significantly. There is certainly a greater acceptance that “all things can be true”. Perhaps not a brand-new thought but a greater acceptance of the thought that all beliefs are right (pluralism) has happened with “woke-ism”. Pastor Newton stated that if the “isms” replace God, then anybody determines who or what is right or wrong. Those pushing the agenda of “woke-ism” refuse to accept God’s plan for right and wrong, moral and immoral, and what is true and not true; they push the belief that people would be happier without God.

 

 I would like to continue this in the next page of the blog. Let me finish with Ephesians 5:14, “Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”

We need to wake up to what we are being told to think, what are our kids being told in the public-school systems. Sin is sin! As Believers and walking on the narrow way into His kingdom, we must have a Bible-based, Bible-centered worldview. Not all things that are said or taught are true. Not everything can be true. The truth that we must know and walk in is found in God’s Word. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness”. In the last days there will be all sorts of schemes and false teaching that try to tempt even those walking on the narrow way to get off it and follow an agenda that only leads away from God. Does that sound like or describe the agenda we see in ‘woke-ism” today? That is why it is so important to stay centered in God’s Word – so that we are able to know when something is not right. The target statement on the Listener Guide was a quote from Charles Spurgeon.  “Discernment is not just knowing right from wrong. It is knowing right from almost wrong.” Consider that as you encounter how “woke-ism” has infiltrated every aspect, every segment of society. It is time to stand up for the standards God has established and the lifestyles He has created in His Word!