Definition of appall: To fill with horror and amazement; dismay greatly.
Also note the synonyms of appall/appalling:
abhorrent, abominable, offensive, awful, disgusting, distasteful, dreadful, evil, foul, fulsome, gross, hideous, horrendous, horrible, horrid, loathsome, nasty, nauseating, nauseous, noisome, noxious, obnoxious, obscene, odious, rancid, repellent (also repellant), repugnant, repulsive, revolting, scandalous, shocking, sickening, ugly
I present to you some of the things in this world that fit into these definitions and why many of us need to examine or re-examine our spiritual condition.
1) Pets are no longer considered pets but family members; they now have equal rights with humans; in fact, animals have more rights to life than humans, and many are protected species. Billions of dollars are spent on non-essential products for animals, while hunger and homelessness abound. SHOULDN’T WE BE APPALLED?
2) Abortion is now an acceptable form of contraception; Pro-choice is a death sentence and, correct me if I’m wrong, has taken more lives than the Holocaust. Why isn’t there a law to protect the lives of unborn children….if there were such a law, then perhaps men and women would take better steps toward preventing unwanted pregnancy….better yet, stop having unmarried sex. SHOULDN’T WE BE APPALLED?
3) Today’s entertainment glorifies all that dishonors God….pornography, fornication, drug and alcohol abuse, violence and murder, lust & greed, child abuse…. the list goes on; TV, film and the music industry promotes whores and whoremongers of every kind; by the way….whoremonger is someone who “peddles” whores….like pimps; which is what most of the entertainment industry is. SHOULDN’T WE BE APPALLED?
4) Followers of Jesus Christ are being persecuted and killed in numerous countries around the world; The church in America is under consistent sustained attack in an attempt to destroy our beliefs, values and the moral fabric of our society. SHOULDN’T WE BE APPALLED?
These are just a few examples of what we all face every moment of every day and sadly, many of God’s own children have grown accustomed to and comfortable with these things. It seems as though we’re overwhelmed to the point of helplessness!
We say Christ abides in us and we abide in Him; we say that power and authority was given us to overcome the world and cast out demons; we say that we walk and live in the Spirit of God! Yet so many of my dear brothers & sisters in Christ stand idly by shaking their heads and bemoaning the things going on around them, and never taking an authoritative stance against any of it; just “waiting for Jesus to come rapture them away”.
But the truth is, many of us have our favorite shows don’t we?….mine were “The Voice” and “Project Runway” which may seem pretty tame, yet everything about the shows I watched and you watch are against God.
Even the news reporting is filled with stories and reports that regularly attack God, Jesus and Christian values while promoting sympathy and acceptance for every vile and evil thought and action; examples: Beyonce, Miley Cyrus, Madonna, Nikki Minaj, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Marilyn Manson, Elton John, Bill Cosby!
SHOULDN’T WE BE APPALLED? Could it be that we’re not appalled because we’re not righteous?
Yes, I know that most, if not all of us pray for the world yet we see very little of our prayers answered….why? I think the answer lies in James 5:16 Therefore, openly acknowledge your sins to one another, and pray for each other, so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
Proverbs 15:29 NLT
The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayers of the righteous.
Could it be that our prayers aren’t heard because we aren’t righteous? Surely we have moments of righteousness because we’ve all seen God answer some of our prayers and petitions; but do we eagerly seek after righteousness daily?
You can’t love the things of the world and God….there’s no middle ground…..you must choose.
Colossians 3:2 KJV
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
My brothers and sisters we cannot allow ourselves to be lulled into silent acceptance of worldly wickedness. As Paul waited in Athens for Silas and Timothy (Acts 17:16-17), the text says: his spirit within him was disturbed at the sight of the city full of idols. 17 So he began holding discussions in the synagogue with the Jews and the “God-fearers,” and in the market square every day with the people who happened to be there.
We, like Paul, must be disturbed (appalled) because we are surrounded by idolatry and rebellion (which is as the sin of witchcraft) to the point of taking action. Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, live in the Spirit of God and use the authority given us by the Lord Yeshua/Jesus Christ to overcome the world.
BE APPALLED AND FIGHT: Ephesians 6:10-12 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places
Your Sister In Messiah Yeshua,
Minister Glenda