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Have you ever been confused by “scientific discoveries” that are reported to, in some way, refute the Bible? For instance, science has discovered genetic predispositions to alcoholism.
When this genetic weakness was first discovered, some argued that the Bible needed to be tossed, that science had discovered the real roots of mankind’s woes to be our genes and soon science would discover our cure. But the Bible, millennia ago, revealed mankind to be genetically defective and science is just now catching up.
In Psalms 51, David states he was “born in sin and conceived in iniquity.” He was born biologically defective. 1John tells us that our biological predispositions include pride, sensual and physical lusts and greed. God revealed the law of genetics right in the heart of the 10 Commandments when He, who created us, who designed us the way we are, said that iniquity would be passed down to the third and fourth generations. Yes, we all have biological weaknesses. We all have genetic vulnerabilities. We all have inherited propensities toward evil – this is no great scientific breakthrough, this is science confirming what the Bible has been telling us all along.
Yet, the scientific community would like us to believe that we, through science, apart from our Creator, can find “scientific” solutions to heal humanity’s root problems. Thus they reject the Bible and God’s solution found therein. But why would intelligent people want to reject the religion of the Bible?
In 2005, Greg Paul, an independent researcher from Baltimore, Maryland, published a study that attempted to quantify negative effects of religion (Journal of Religion and Society, vol 7, p 1). He compared levels of religiosity with various indicators of social dysfunction in 18 developed nations. He concluded that countries with higher rates of belief and worship had higher rates of homicide, death among children and young adults, sexually transmitted diseases, teen pregnancy and abortion. Paul now believes that morality does not stem from religion, and that religion arises from insecurity within society. “Mass belief in gods is primarily a fear and anxiety-based response to insufficiently secure financial circumstances, and does not have a deep neurobiological, genetic or other basis,” he says (quoted from What Good is God New Scientist September 1, 2007).
What Greg Paul concluded is no news flash either. The Bible has taught all along that mankind’s “religious observations” have no power to transform the heart, heal the mind or change the character. No one will be transformed, recreated or become “moral” by observing religious rituals, ordinances or ceremonies (Romans 3:20). In fact, the Bible predicted this very end time situation in which we live and even the results of the study above:
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God — having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them. 2Timothy 3:1-5
These religious people have a form of godliness but deny the life changing, heart-healing, character transforming power thereof – and what is that power? The apostle Paul said that the gospel is “the power of God for the salvation (healing) of everyone who trusts.” (Romans 1:16).
What, then, is the gospel? Good news, but what good news? The good news about God Himself – that God is just like Jesus revealed Him to be, that God is love and He would rather die Himself than use His power to harm you! It is this truth which has been so perverted, so twisted, so misrepresented by religions the world over that to many God is seen as a stern dictator who takes pleasure in torturing His children. And religion, when filled with lies about God, not only cannot heal but actually damages the mind, warps the character and destroys the soul. When lies about God are retained, the Bible says the mind becomes darkened, foolish and depraved. We cannot be healed as long as we retain lies about God in our minds.
God is love. God is just like Jesus revealed Him to be – a God who does not need appeasement to love us, a God who does not need His Son to plead with Him to be forgiving, but a God who loved us so much He gave everything He had to save and heal us. If you want to see the truth about this God, look at the only genuine, clear, un-perverted revelation, look to Jesus who said, “If you have seen me, you have seen the Father, for the Father and I are one.” John 14:9.
Accepting the truth about God, as revealed in Jesus, is the first step toward healing, for the truth wins us back to trust. And in trust, we take the second step and invite God into our hearts and minds. The Holy Spirit is then poured out which infuses us with divine energy, recreative energy which heals, transforms and regenerates us to be like Christ. Our thoughts are brought into harmony with His, our desires our changed to be like His, our dreams, aspirations and longings are purified and our minds and characters are healed. So no matter what our weaknesses, no matter what our shortcomings, no matter what our genetic defects, when we are won back to trust we can be fully healed!
