This chapter is written especially for those who are spiritually dead in the plain circles (such as the Amish, Mennonites, etc). Some people are having a decent experience, while others are suffering greatly under twisted, demonically influenced leaders and fathers. While much of the world adores these peace-loving “pious” types, the corrupted ones within their ranks are having a hay-day. From time to time you hear or read about abusive situations, but for the most part huge problems and issues are just swept under the rug.
Many plain people today are being ravaged by Satan but they would never admit it. They block it out. It’s like sleepwalking. They make the mistake of thinking religious freedom and a hefty bank account means they have God’s blessing. This is a deception. Sometimes God’s people have a lot, sometimes they have nothing. Gauging your spiritual well-being by how well you are doing materialistically, or by how much freedom a government may grant you is un-Biblical. Do not be fooled. Satan has devoured many souls within the plain circles. He is very much at work inside the system. All the issues — anger, fear, depression, jealousy, perversion, etc are there — which brings up a very important question. If a plain person is bound up by the same issues that you find in the “world,” does that person represent Jesus just because he/she is dressed in plain clothing? Furthermore, if a plain person discovers he/she is being harassed by a demon of anger, fear, depression, or perversion, why can’t/don’t the leaders of the church cast the demon out? Why do plain people have to look outside the church for help and answers?
The truth is not complicated. Too many of these leaders do not believe or operate in the power of the Gospel. They are not filled with the Holy Spirit. They were never delivered from their own bondage, so how can they help the next person? Many of them warn their flock about deception and “wolves in sheep’s clothing,” when they themselves are the wolves (Matthew 7:15-20). When an angry, perverted preacher hides his issues behind pious actions and clothing, he is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Sadly, some of today’s plain leaders are nothing more than modern day Pharisees. They are not entering the Kingdom themselves, and are doing all they can, it seems, to keep others out as well. “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.” - Matthew 23:13. This scripture very much applies here.
The spiritual condition of some of today’s plain churches is one of the saddest things I have ever seen, and fixing the system will be no small task. Actually, I’m not sure it’s even possible. Neither am I convinced that the plain people as a whole represent Jesus any more than any other denomination. Perhaps the most important thing to remember is that the wheat and the tares grow together in every culture. Don’t make the mistake of thinking everyone in your circle is trustworthy, safe, and Godly, just because they took part in a communion service last week (Satan can show up anywhere, after all he was present in Judas at the Last Supper (Luke 22:3)). It is especially sad when Satan’s poison is in the leaders. When ministers are not filled with the Spirit, they hurt and/or deceive lots of people (and both fall into a pit). The situation many plain people find themselves in today is almost identical to the Jewish situation back in Jesus’ day.
The Jewish people were under two iron yokes at the same time — the Roman empire being one, and the religious leaders being the other. Jesus did not endorse either one. They were both very corrupt (He called the king a fox, and the Pharisees snakes, vipers, white washed tombs, fools, and blind guides). He came to establish a new kingdom in which people from either system could be saved. He didn’t favor one over the other, much to the chagrin of the Pharisees.
And so it is today. The plain people (and many others who are stuck in religion) are under two yokes — the government, and religious leaders. Both are corrupt, and as before, Jesus doesn’t endorse either one. He doesn’t need them. He has His own kingdom, but it is not of this world. You can get into His Kingdom through faith in Him, not by being an American (or whatever your nationality happens to be) or by going to a church. Like the Pharisees, many of today’s plain church leaders are more worried about their status with the government than the souls of their people (John 11:47-52). They will do whatever they deem necessary to preserve the system. I wish people would understand that God doesn’t need systems. He doesn’t need organizations, or clubs, or all this man-made stuff to get people from here to Heaven. Jesus said, “I will build my church, and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it.” - Matthew 16:17-19. He mentions Peter’s name in this passage which indicates that people play a part in the process, but I find it interesting that He doesn’t mention governments or denominations. Maybe that’s because His kingdom was not and is not about establishing a government here on Earth. It’s about preparing to leave this Earth.*
I like to find and befriend those who are doing that in any denomination. It makes no difference to me where people decide to go to church. I just try to help those who don’t have inner peace (which is the only thing that Jesus guaranteed his followers). The “plain” life (those who are in it, but not saved) is a hard and thankless life. Many people “hope” for something good at the end of their lives, but unless they embrace their wretchedness and turn to Jesus for salvation and restoration, nothing good is coming.
*I’m not saying that God isn’t involved in governmental affairs or that God’s people have no place in Earthly government. He works through people. When the opportunity arises and “the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules the people groan.” - Proverbs 29:2. Christian leaders can be a tremendous blessing and do a world of good, but in many countries Christians are persecuted or even killed, so running for president is not an option. However, this doesn’t mean that God is not in control. All tyrants are on a leash, their days are numbered. A day of reckoning is coming. In the meantime, “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Joel 2:32, Romans 10:13). He is busy saving people regardless of who is running any particular country.