The preceding article (Instigator—Part One) shed light on the instigator, the mastermind responsible for unraveling America’s societal fabric. This post delves into this unraveling’s targets, objectives, and aims, designed to mislead citizens and steer them away from reality. Satan has crafted a comprehensive strategy that affects individuals across all religious beliefs, various institutions, and the very bedrock of America: the institutions. Below is a brief overview of the main targets of this strategy.
Individuals
The instigator is intent on nullifying the impact of God’s Word on the hearts of Christians and, secondly, preventing non-believers from understanding the gospel. Satan, the god of this age, is described as blinding the minds of unbelievers, preventing them from seeing the light of the gospel, which displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God (2 Corinthians 4:4 NIV).
Institutions:
Additionally, the instigator targets core American institutions such as family, legal system/law, marketplace, media, science, church, education, and government. Future articles will examine each institution, but this article will briefly overview each.
A recent survey of 1,015 American adults conducted by the Advanced Studies in Culture Foundation and public opinion consultancy Heart + Mind Strategies revealed an interesting trend: while Americans’ trust in the nation’s institutions may be waning, their confidence in themselves is on the rise.
The notion of “rugged individualism” has long been synonymous with America. Historically, the potential downsides of this societal model have been balanced through a shared social contract to promote and protect the common good rooted in strong civic institutions.
The focus on personal identity also extends to how most Americans find their moral compass today. The majority say their ethics and morals come from within, rather than something outside of and larger than themselves: Post-Truth versus Truth-Based ideologies.
Family
Various ideologies, political policies, and worldviews are being used to alter the function and structure of the family to control society. Controlling the family means controlling society.
A family is commonly defined as a group of two or more individuals who are related by birth, marriage, or adoption and live together. In this context, all family members are viewed as a single entity. This unit can be manipulated in various ways, which can have significant consequences for the individual and the family.
Several factors can influence a family’s structure, including economic changes, psychological disruptions within the family, alternative family structures, and the institutional setting that shapes individual decisions and behavior. In a future post, we will explore the factors currently affecting modern families.
Legal System/law – Are We Really a Nation of Laws?
In a 2000 paper, “Political Trust and Trustworthiness,” Margaret Levi and Laura Stoker found that in communities where individuals had a strong level of trust in their leaders, they were more inclined to follow laws and regulations and accept the mandates of authorities as valid, even if those rules seemed to go against their short-term interests. (Levi,M., and L. Stoker, “Political Trust and Trustworthiness.” Annual Review of Political Science 3, 2000, 475-507). More discussion on this institution will be addressed in a future post. The Rule of Law is changing, and accountability and justice for breaking these laws are applied according to who enforces them and who breaks them.
Marketplace
In 2008, bankers and regulators whom Americans trusted assured them that the financial system was secure and their money was safe. However, these promises proved false, and regular people faced the consequences. As a result, many lost their homes and jobs while the government bailed out those responsible for the crisis. Technology companies assured users that their data was secure and that new apps were beneficial despite knowing otherwise. Those involved in this manipulation were likely influenced by the belief that “the end justifies the means”. More examples will be listed in a subsequent post.
Media
Do We Know the Truth?
Manipulation of the news media erodes accountability and undermines democracy. Gerard Baker, the author of American Breakdown, reflects on his observations of cultural changes in America. In it, he states, “This struck me most clearly in journalism, in which I had spent my career. In my lifetime, the news business has gone from being an institution that —for all its many faults—was relied on by most Americans to give them a broadly accurate, fair picture of the news to one that is no longer trusted at all by most people. (Gerard Baker, American Breakdown, Why We No Longer Trust Our Leaders and Institutions and How We Can Rebuild Confidence, Twelve Hachette Book Group, p. xii)
The distrust of news media undermines a fundamental principle of democracy: to hold influential people and institutions accountable through scrutiny and exposure. During the 2016 presidential election, trusted news organizations and commentators falsely claimed that the winning candidate worked with the Russian government to secure his victory. Similarly, during the 2020 election, the incumbent president, who his supporters trusted, claimed that the election was stolen by his opponent and crooked local election officials.
“Geert Hofstede’s theory of the ‘Software of the mind’ says that, like computers, we are “programmed” by culture. Thus, culture shapes cognition.” Knowing this, Satan manipulates the media to shape the post-modern consumer worldview such that it discredits God and His wisdom and replaces them with a self-serving relativism. Although the media reflects and reinforces satanic influences, some argue that consumerism and self-serving relativism have deeper roots in the values of freedom, independence, democracy, capitalism, and notions of U.S.-American superiority.” (Taken from Satanic Influences in the American church in a Post-Modern Consumer Society, a dissertation submitted to the faculty of Portland Seminary in candidacy for the degree of Doctor of Ministry by Jerry F. Ressa Portland, Oregon February 2018) A Future post has more details.
Science
Follow the Science – Where Does It Lead? More specifics are included in a future post.
During the pandemic, public health officials urged Americans to stay home, citing “science” as their justification. However, over the next few years, the information presented regarding lockdowns, masks, and vaccine effectiveness seemed to shift according to officials’ objectives. This inconsistency has led to increased skepticism towards science and medicine, which could hinder Americans’ ability to benefit from advancements in healthcare and ultimately lead to poorer health outcomes. In addition, tampering with technology may hinder Americans from enjoying the benefits of fast-paced advancements in efficiency and productivity. Growing skepticism towards science and medicine could lead to poorer health outcomes for Americans, making it harder for them to take advantage of new discoveries and advancements that could enhance their quality of life. This topic is discussed in Chapter Seven of the book.
Church
The Church is Confused; more detail will be discussed in a future post.
“The Church of Jesus Christ is built “too well” to be demolished. Its pillars are stronger than some people want us to believe. Perhaps the demise of the evangelical church in America is overstated. Although some prognosticators are huffing and puffing about the weakness and lack of influence, the pillars of evangelicalism might be stronger than expected. We are not collapsing or walking away without a fight. The church’s foundation cannot be demolished by attacks that come from pop culture or our critics and the elites who believe they have the right to tell us how we should live.” (Erwin W. Lutzer, The Church In Babylon, Heeding the Call to Be a Light in the Darkness, Moody Publishers, Chicago, 2018, p. 268) Barna agrees. “The historic foundations on which our society was developed are facing severe challenges. It’s not easy to be the kind of Christian that Jesus longs to have as his ambassador in this place, at this time.”11 (George Barna, Futurecast: What Today’s Trends Mean for Tomorrow’s World, Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale, 2012, x.)
Education
What Are Our Kids Taught and Who Is Teaching Them?
As we will learn in a future post, distrust in educational institutions weakens the foundation for a thriving economy and creative culture by hindering human capital development.
Government
Politics and Government Are Important – but They Are Not the Answer
A future post will add more detail, but it’s crucial to acknowledge that the government institution is currently experiencing challenges. This is mainly due to the belief that we must reevaluate and adjust our fundamental principles to suit our present circumstances and needs better. The Founding Fathers of America were knowledgeable about Enlightenment principles and boldly established a government that prioritized freedom, fairness, and justice. The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution reflected these principles as a framework for the future. It is essential to acknowledge that our rights originate from a higher authority, not from the government.
“The Foundations: The Third Target of the Instigator.”
The manipulations/tactics are designed to disconnect us from our country’s foundation, religious beliefs, fundamental principles, and core values.
Foundation
The foundational documents and values of America reflect the principles of God and Scripture, playing a crucial role in its success. The founders deeply respected Scripture and their understanding of the Bible played a significant role in shaping the nation’s decisions, as seen in the Declaration of Independence. Dennis Prager, a conservative commentator, has written and proclaimed that the abandonment of biblical values has resulted in the societal chaos many see happening today. He says, “I have believed all my life that the primary crisis in America and the West is the abandonment of Judeo-Christian values, or as one might say, the dismissal of the Bible.” (Dennis Prager, “My Quest to Help Americans Rediscover the Bible,” Daily Signal.com/2018/01/09/quest-help-Americans-rediscover-bible/)
He continued: Virtually everyone on the left thinks America would be better off as a secular nation. And virtually all conservative intellectuals don’t think it matters . . . And, yet, from the time long before the United States became a country until well into the 1950s, the Bible was not only the most widely read book in America – it was the primary vehicle by which an entire generation passed on morality and wisdom to the next generation.
Religious Beliefs
The founding fathers held a variety of religious beliefs. Some were strong believers in Jesus Christ’s divinity and the biblical account, while others were more doubtful about miracles and Christ’s divine nature but still believed in God. The Enlightenment, which emphasized reason, logic, and skepticism, greatly influenced the founding fathers’ views. Despite common belief, most of them did not neatly fit into the categories of deists or Christians but instead were religious rationalists or Unitarians.
Fundamental Principles
The American Republic was founded on the principle that everyone, regardless of ethnicity, is created equal and entitled to fundamental rights such as freedom of speech, religion, assembly, liberty, and due process of law.
The United States Constitution is the oldest constitution governing the people of a country that is still honored and upheld today. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_religion_in_the_United_States)
The United States of America was founded on crucial principles aimed at protecting the rights and freedoms of its citizens and establishing a sovereign nation. These guiding principles include upholding the rule of law, ensuring fairness and accountability for all under the law, and recognizing that everyone possesses inherent rights that the government cannot strip away. The government’s authority is derived from the agreement and approval of the individuals it governs. The Declaration of Independence outlines fundamental principles, listing natural laws, grievances against Great Britain, and the determination to proclaim independence. These basic principles apply to everyone, regardless of race or physical characteristics, as we are all equal in the eyes of a divine force.
The United States of America was founded on the fundamental principle of freedom, which encompasses several aspects, such as freedom of speech, religion, and press, protected by the Constitution’s First Amendment. The Declaration of Independence also stresses the importance of equal treatment for all, stating that “all men are created equal.” The United States is a democratic nation rooted in the idea of individualism. The American economy operates on the principles of capitalism, resulting in a robust economy.
Core Values
The values that Americans consider necessary have changed over the past two decades. A recent poll revealed that younger Americans emphasize patriotism, religion, and having children less. Hard work is the most valued attribute among all Americans, with 89% of respondents stating it’s a very important quality. Tolerance for others, financial security, and self-fulfillment also ranked high. The importance of religion has declined, with only 48% of people considering it very important, down from 62% in 1998. (https://www.voanews.com/a/usa_all-about-america_american-values-shifting-big-way/6175304.html)
Acclaimed economist and scholar Deirdre McCloskey identifies seven values or virtues that created the social fabric of Western societies as we have inherited it. McCloskey concludes that Christian virtues adopted by a majority in Britain, the United States, and the West resulted in the most significant wealth production in history. McCloskey’s list of virtues is:
– Charity
– Faith
– Hope
– Love
– Justice
– Courage
– Temperance
If McCloskey’s research is correct and these seven values of virtues helped produce the great wealth of this nation, then we can predict the future based on how prominent these are in today’s American culture, or are they being overshadowed by the opposite of each value? If our past economic success was mainly due to the citizens of America incorporating these into their daily lives, then we should be able to predict future success or failure based on how we are integrating these into our daily lives in the 21st century.
So, how are we doing? Has Satan convinced us that applying the opposite of these is more important?
I will make a guess, based on what we see and hear in the media, we are in trouble. Satan has manipulated and influenced us to live opposed to the seven. (Deirdre McCloskey identified seven virtues that are part of the foundation that made America a great and prosperous nation. Quoted by John S. Dickerson, Hope of Nations, p. 134-35)
Remember the following text:
Just because one of the targets is institutions doesn’t mean people don’t attack other groups. Satan provides the motivation, and people react. For example, McCloskey’s list can be combined into four cardinal virtues: prudence, justice, temperance, and fortitude. BLM consistently opposes these in measure.
Alexis De Tocqueville personally experienced how early America’s values shaped our nation. He wrote, “But there is no other country in the whole world in which the Christian religion retains a greater influence over the souls of men than in America; and there can be no greater proof of its utility, and of its conformity to human nature, than that its influence is most powerfully felt over the most enlightened and free nation of the earth. (Tocqueville, Democracy in America, Signet Classics, 282)
The Bible instructs Christians to be mindful of Satan’s schemes: “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8 NIV).
Expected Outcome
Satan understands that he must first change people’s worldviews to control society. Therefore, he has implemented his schemes for centuries, slowly altering culture and society. If I were Satan, I would propagate a lie and make people believe it to be true. I would also develop a propaganda campaign that would infiltrate educational institutions, families, churches, and the media, giving them a new agenda to follow while making it seem like it’s for their own good. Satan’s ultimate goal is to influence people. He already has all the land he needs. This world belongs to him, but only because God allows it. Beware, for Satan is after us, and his tactics may surprise you. There is a spiritual battle happening in America that goes beyond what meets the eye. These and other tactics will be discussed in the next post, “Tactics”.