YOUR ATTITUDE IN TIMES OF CIVIL DISORDER AND UNREST (PART 2 OF 3)

23rd OCTOBER 2020

“Then all the city was provoked, and the people rushed together, and taking hold of Paul they dragged him out of the temple, and immediately the doors were shut. While they were seeking to kill him, a report came up to the commander of the Roman cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion. At once he took along some soldiers and centurions and ran down to them; and when they saw the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. Then the commander came up and took hold of him, and ordered him to be bound with two chains; and he began asking who he was and what he had done. But among the crowd some were shouting one thing and some another, and when he could not find out the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks. When he got to the stairs, he was carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the mob; for the multitude of the people kept following them, shouting, ‘Away with him!’” (Acts 21:30-36).

Today, we continue with our message on the attitude of a believer in times of riots, protests and civil unrest. The first attitude of a believer is to pray for the nation during periods of tumult and protests. The second attitude of a believer is;

Do not Plunder the Personal Property of Another

A common occurrence during times of civil unrest is looting and destruction of public and personal properties. Stealing is always wrong. Paul wrote, “He who steals must steal no longer, but rather he must labour, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need” (Ephesians 4:28). Therefore, we are to respect the personal property of others. Why? Because the material possessions that others have are blessings they have received from God. The wise man says, “As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, He has also empowered him to eat from them and to receive his reward and rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God” (Ecclesiastes 5:19). When one’s possessions are taken from him so that others enjoy them, the wise the man said, “This is vanity and a severe affliction” (Ecclesiastes 6:1-2).

Those who loot during times of civil unrest are opportunists. It is a wrong act and should be avoided, even when there is no punishment in view for the thief. This is why the scripture says; “Therefore, it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake” (Romans 13:5). Further still, it says, “Love does no wrong to a neighbour; therefore, love is the fulfilment of the law” (Romans 13:10). If one does not steal, only because he is afraid of getting arrested, his heart is not right. We must do “no wrong to a neighbour,” even if law enforcement is ineffective or non-existent.

Unfortunately, some engage in looting because they have the wrong concept of personal property. Some believed others have stolen to acquire those property and therefore should be deprived of them. In fact, they believe that such property ultimately belongs to the State; therefore, looting is a way to retaliate against the authorities for some injustice. But remember, the individuals who own property have it because of God’s blessings (Ecclesiastes 5:19).

Furthermore, doing harm to a fellow citizen and committing mayhem during protests does not mean the authorities will show concern for one’s cause. For instance, when the Jews in Corinth came to Gallio, the proconsul of Achaia, about their complaint against Paul (Acts 18:12-13), Gallio refused to listen and “drove them away from the judgment seat, but the scripture reports later, that in anger the Jews “took hold of Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, and began beating him in front of the judgment seat. But Gallio was not concerned about any of these things” (Acts 18:14-17). Gallio was not interested in the alleged crime of Paul and the violence against Sosthenes did not change his mind. In the same way, harming citizens today (through looting and violence in times of civil unrest), does not mean civil leaders will show the concern to deal with alleged instances of injustice.

Today, you have to readdress your strategies for making your demands known to the authorities. Authorities like to use brutal force in times of protests; Because they do not like to be corrected or called upon to give accounts. Therefore, do not be confrontational or retaliatory. All believers must present their demands to the authority with boldness, yet with a calm spirit just like Paul did in today’s rider verse.

PRAYER

Father in the name of Jesus Christ, I pray for the peace of my country today. May those who love (name of your country) be secure. May there be peace within the walls of my country, and security within her citadels. For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, ‘Peace be within you.’ For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your prosperity. AMEN.

FURTHER READING: Psalm 122:6; 2 Chron 7:14; 16: 47-48; Micah 6:8