The World and the Word

                                       Freedom versus Tyranny

Many people exist who feel the need to control others, some on a small scale, such as a domineering parent, and others on a grand scale such as an oppressive and cruel ruler of a nation. Their motive for this desire is the same one that caused Lucifer to rebel against God; that is, excessive pride. Many people learn at an early age that they are just one small person within a vast sea of humanity. This realization scares them because they feel that their individuality will become crushed by anonymity. To counter this fear, they begin to acquire the idea that they are really much smarter and wiser than the average person. This idea prompts them to try to gain control over others so that they can rise above the stupid crowd and become an important person in the world. When such persons are actually very intelligent, they can learn to use very subtle methods to gain control over others.

This argument does not mean to convey the idea that certain controls are not necessary in a free society. Employers must exert limited controls over their employees while they are on the job in order to effect an efficient operation. But they agree on these controls, and if an employee does not like the controls, he can resign. Parents must have control over their children but not abuse them. Most people in a free society agree that a very strictly controlled military happens to be necessary for the defense of the nation. A free society also compels all citizens to obey the law if that law allows the citizens to exercise the freedoms that God has given them. But most people in a free society also agree that all forms of forced or abusive controls should be illegal.

Contrary to that which most people think, God does not forcibly control anyone. In fact, God gives freedom to every human whom He creates. God allows every human to be completely free to live however they desire. But God warns all humans in His Word that if they choose a sinful or evil lifestyle, then they will come under the strict controls of the Devil. The Bible (KJB) admits that there can be "pleasures of sin for a season," but eventually addiction sets in with powerful controls that can destroy a person's life. Hebrews 11:25. God creates humans to be free to exercise positive pleasures; that is, to properly love and to be able to create systems that are healthful, joyful, peaceful, beautiful, and pure. Any invented systems that lie outside of these parameters can only bring humans under the destructive and cruel controls of the Devil. John 8:44-45.

Jesus demonstrated that He dealt with every person as a free individual. Jesus allowed them all to choose for themselves whether or not they would put their faith in Him. Jesus did not try to exert controls over the rich, young ruler who rejected Him. Jesus allowed him to go his own way. Matthew 19:16-22. Jesus stood with the oppressed people of His day against the tyrannical controls of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Matthew 23:1-36.