This week, there has been shocking news about conservative sports commentator Mark Sanchez that has shocked people in the conservative journalism community. The former football player turned Fox and ESPN sports host was injured in what was thought to be an unprovoked attack.
It was later revealed that Mr. Sanchez may have been intoxicated when he broke the law and assaulted a 69-year-old truck driver over a parking space of all things. The conservative community originally played and other political blame game against the left.
The controversy continued as the facts and more evidence about what really happened was revealed. God’s people should not be shocked, because even God’s people aren’t perfect, because they too are fallen beings (Romans 3:23):
- Deceptive
- Prideful
- Violent
Despite what many false teachers proudly believe and teach, God’s people are not without sin or faults; that is why even we need the grace of God (Isaiah 64:6-7, Romans 3:10). When we come to Jesus, He cleanses and sanctifies us over time (Hebrews 10:14).
We still have a sinful nature and must fight daily against it (Psalm 51:5, Matthew 26: 41). We each still have corrupt hearts of flesh (Jeremiah 17:9, Mark 7:21). God’s people are called to fight their flesh and every evil inclination within them (Matthew 16:24, Galatians 5:25).
What Are Inclinations
Inclinations toward things we often think much about, because they are natural or instinctive. Inclinations can be good or bad, and we all have them within us, and if we aren’t careful, they can cause us to make mistakes. An inclination is defined as, “A tendency to a particular aspect, state, character, or action: a natural disposition.”
Inclinations aren’t thought out too much and are often momentary decisions with a specific purpose. Some we must allow, but most we must fight against because of our fallen natures. The Bible warns us to choose wisely before we act (Proverbs 3:5-6, Ephesians 5:15-17).
As God’s people, we are called to be different from this corrupt kingdom (Deuteronomy 7:6, 1 Peter 2:9). We do not get to listen to our fallen natural inclination of our sinful hearts and minds (Romans 8 6-8; 12:2-4, 2 Timothy 2:22). Even the Apostle Paul kept doing what is wrong although he knew what was right (Romans 7:14-20).
We must discern between good and evil and obey God instead of our flesh (Galatians 5:16-17, Ephesians 6:10-18, 1 Peter 5:8). The apostles remembered their Jewish education about their inner spirits in the inclinations of the human heart.
Yēṣer
The Torah tells us how God created everything and called it good (Genesis 1:1-31). God created man in His own image and breathed life into him, then planted him in the garden to do God’s will (Genesis 3:26-30).
Everything was good until Satan deceived mankind, and death and sin entered the world and corrupted the hearts of man (Genesis 3:1-6; 6:5). The spiritual warfare between good and evil has raged on inside of every human being since then.
Humans have been cursed with a sinful nature that inclines us to do what is wrong. The natural man is inclined to do evil (Genesis 6:5). The Hebrew word in the Old Testament for inclination is yēṣer, and it can also mean “Imagination, frame, mind, or purpose,” depending on the context it is used in.
God set His people apart from this wicked world to represent Himself and to serve His purposes (Exodus 19:5-6, Leviticus 20:26, Deuteronomy 14:2). God’s people don’t get to listen to their selfish hearts and flesh like this corrupt world does.
Judaism teaches and warns God’s people about the two natures at war inside every human being (Genesis 6:5):
- Yetzer Tov
- Yetzer HaRa
Jesus addressed the evil nature of the human heart (Mark 7:20-23). He emphasized that His followers must deny themselves and their evil hearts daily (Matthew 16:24-26). Our Lord taught His followers to follow His example of selfless giving (Matthew 6:19-24, 33-39; 22:37, John 15:5, 12; 3:30).
He emphasized the need for God’s people to do what is good and not evil (Matthew 5:48; 6:33, John 1:5; 3:10). As God’s people, we do not do good works to be saved, but because we are saved and are reflecting the image of God (Genesis 1:27, Matthew 22:15-24).
Greta Thunberg
In other big news this week, activist Greta Thunberg was deported from Israel with 70 other activists who had been arrested for trying to get supplies and aid into Gaza to people who were in need and suffering.
The activists had been held captive by the IDF since they seized the flotilla and the supplies and route to Gaza last week. The flotilla was trying to get aid into the war-ravaged Gaza Strip to help children, women, and wounded people get supplies.
While Greta was practicing her Christian faith, Israel and the IDF were acting more like this fallen kingdom than their Heavenly Father. The irony is Israel is supposed to be God’s people, and they are destroying their neighbors in the pursuit of revenge against their enemies.
Many of God’s people have forgotten to be the light and how only the light can overcome darkness (Psalm 119:105, Daniel 12:3, Matthew 5:14-16, John 1:5). God’s people cannot live and act like this fallen kingdom:
- Divided
- Violent
- Uncompassionate
- Vengeful
- Prideful
God’s people are commanded to do good and hate all evil because we are set apart from this fallen kingdom (Psalm 37:3, Micah 6:8, Matthew 5:16; 7:21-23). Jesus reminded His followers of the basic teachings of our Jewish forefathers.
We must love our neighbors and God above all (Mark 12:30-31). We must take care of the least of these in the world (Matthew 25:40). Care for the foreigners amongst us (Matthew 25:35).
The Apostle Paul warned us that God’s people would turn away from sound teaching in the last days and pursue earthly greatness and temporary happiness because they choose to listen to their evil yēṣer (2 Thessalonians 2:3, 1 Timothy 4:3-4, Jude 1:18-19)!
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