Fear of God: Discerning good and evil — 2019 Implications for Voting

13 May 2019

3.8 MINS

The Fear-of-God builds up confidence, and makes a world safe for your children.
— Prov 14:26 The Message

Which policies may we put into the category of “unsafe” for our children, and what defines this choosing?
Which policies show a lack of respect for and “fear” of God?

We can generalise that rebellion against God inevitably and crucially involves rebellion against His Creation, which underpins so much of ethics and morality.

We may also generalise from the lessons of history and the underpinnings of Western Civilisation, as shown for instance in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, as will be demonstrated in my next article on the Aussie “fair go”.

Clearly then, laws that disregard the principle that all human life has intrinsic value, in all states of disability and dependence from fertilisation to life’s natural end, come into this category, and party policies that exhibit this disregard should not be supported.

A critical example of this is Labor’s policy supporting the extension of abortion – even late-term abortion – to be available through all public hospitals, free of charge, for any reason – even including “sex selection” of the baby. Labor also supports the legalisation of physician-assisted suicide.

This is Principle 1 . There are zero choices other than save or kill. Saving the mother’s life is not a factor in deciding yes/no, as labour can be induced without deliberately choosing to kill the baby first. See the Dublin Declaration and many of the submissions by Medicine with Morality.

Principle 2. Legal compelling of participation in evil once the evil itself has been legalised – one evil on top of another.

As we have seen with Section 8 of the Victorian Abortion Law Reform Act 2008, doctors can be compelled by law to participate in the abortion process either by performing it, or by referral to a doctor who will perform an abortion. In this, permission has become compulsion.

Another example of this is the proposed law to criminalise so-called “conversion therapy” assisting a person who wants to change sexual orientation. Therapists (no definition yet, so it includes doctors who may be involved in counselling) are only permitted to reinforce the person’s present orientation, not assist in variation. Clearly, such should be left to the ethics of the various therapists’ organisations and, of course (!) the patient’s/client’s wishes. How dare a government say it is illegal for someone to seek counselling for change?

A further example of this control is the charges laid on parents who will not affirm their child’s wish for sex transitioning. Also see: “What is Child Abuse?”

Principle 3. Crushing by law of the freedom to discuss and debate the issues concerned by “anti-discrimination”, “religious vilification” and “hate speech” legislation. Labor wants to further expand the limitations on freedom of speech.

Principle 4. Educational indoctrination by the state of “gender fluidity”; acceptance of homosexuality as a valid lifestyle with implied experimentation to find out; choices regarding virginity (at least two); and access to pornographic and sadomasochistic sites with instructions on how to hide from parents. Labor’s policy even includes funding for “gender-affirming” treatments, including chemical castration and mutilating sex-change surgery such as bilateral mastectomy. As a result of this ideology, we are now seeing a significant rise in the number of children presenting with gender confusion.

Principle 5. The further erosion of parental values by the compulsion (yet again!) of private schools – that are chosen for their values – to accept teachers that do not accept those values.

I submit all the above are very clear choices influencing voting, choice between right and wrong, good and evil, all influencing a world safe for our children.

Principle 6. A little less clear, as it may involve parental vs government responsibilities, are issues where government could ensure a safe place for our children, for instance clean-feed internet as a default that needs overriding.

Other issues that influence voting are those that involve the “how” rather than the “yes/no” (rightness/wrongness) of the issue, addressing societal injustices:

  • Indigenous health, housing and education
  • Refugee intake, particularly for peoples suffering religious persecution and genocidal threat
  • The management of asylum seekers entering illegally
  • World nutrition and poverty.

While the needs may be clear, there is disagreement as to their resolution and the quantity of relief. The relief of world poverty can be through non-government aid organisations or government (I prefer the former and its methods of distribution), and there are competing strategies to protect our own industries and future vs development of the nation in poverty. Christian mission and aid agencies have been at the forefront of relief and development.

Less clear however is the issue of “climate change”, despite it being made into a critical electioneering issue. Yes, of course emissions should be reduced and forests conserved. But there is appropriate disagreement as to the severity and impact of the problem and its causes, whether suggested methods of control will be effective, and whether they will have other negative effects and international implications that affect our future economy and industry. As with other contentious issues, people who wish to debate the current mantra are simply dismissed as “climate deniers”.

I applaud all who work for the marginalised in and out of our country and all who work as stewards of creation. I applaud efforts to have good enshrined in party platforms. These matters however, with their varying solutions, pale in comparison to the former principles when it comes to the ballot box. They involve the “how” rather than the “yes/no”.

Remembering, with respect to a world safe for your children, the words of Jesus:

“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.”
(Matt 18:6)

Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling. Psalm 2:10 NIV.

The Fear-of-God

builds up

confidence,

and makes a world

safe for your children.

Proverbs 14:26 The Message

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33 Comments

  1. Giulio di Somma 14 May 2019 at 11:42 pm - Reply

    Any policy that has the potential to rob a person of their God given innocence is unsafe!

  2. Rhonda Murrey 14 May 2019 at 11:59 pm - Reply

    I appreciate the clarity with which you have presented these critical issues. They are points for prayerful intercession in the body of believers and ones that we must not lose sight of because they keep returning in one form or another in our society. We must be vigilant in standing against abortion and its enforced participation, against the problem of gender fluidity and trans-gender mentality which is surely child abuse, against all efforts to destroy freedom of speech and the rights of individuals to seek help to deal with issues of sexual orientation confusion and against politically correct indoctrination in all its many forms. We also need to question the role of the education system in the sexual education of our children. We need real debate over issues such as ‘climate change’ and immigration as well as foreign aid, which does not vilify or shut down people with differing opinions and which enables good and reasoned thinking to re-emerge in our communities. It is so encouraging to see these issues presented so well and to know that people care and are rising up to pray for our nation.

  3. Rhonda Murrey 15 May 2019 at 12:09 am - Reply

    These are the critical concerns for our nation right now. The implications of poor choices are real for everyone. As a group of believers we need to pray though these concerns, knowing that we have a God who interceded for us and who hears and answers prayer. We must not become discouraged but rise up in prayerful unity. Thank you.

  4. David 15 May 2019 at 12:17 am - Reply

    Woe to those who call good evil and evil good! Our nation is experiencing this right now. A friend from the UK was shocked to see what is shown on our free to air tv. When we gonna wake up and strengthen the things that remain? Bob Dylan

  5. Julie Cecchele 15 May 2019 at 12:18 am - Reply

    Thank you Dr Dunjey as a parent and a teacher I welcome your points of clarification.

  6. Lucy 15 May 2019 at 2:39 am - Reply

    Loved this article

  7. Kaye Minnett 15 May 2019 at 6:55 am - Reply

    Yes, absolutely we need a Fear if God!

  8. Brijit Davis 15 May 2019 at 7:04 am - Reply

    Thanks for this biblical reference undergirding the truth of our desire to keep our children/grandchildren safe

  9. Kylie 15 May 2019 at 7:16 am - Reply

    The need to be wise with our voting choices this election is greater than ever!

  10. Janelle Stratton 15 May 2019 at 7:27 am - Reply

    Very important topics to consider.

  11. Lyn Thomas 15 May 2019 at 7:48 am - Reply

    The fear of God is paramount to believing and honouring the one that created us. We need to Pray for the fear of God in this nation. He is the potter we are the clay. When people have the fear of God they know right from wrong as their conscience convicts them.

  12. Monica Bennett-Ryan 15 May 2019 at 8:21 am - Reply

    I thoroughly agree, “Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling. Psalm 2:10 NIV”

  13. Bruce Burger 15 May 2019 at 8:33 am - Reply

    We as Christians should be vocal and support biblical principles whenever we get an opportunity. This includes politics, sadly our numbers are declining and even our christian prime minister is choosing to not let his light shine as it will cost him votes! This ‘falling away’ is prophesied to happen in the ‘last days’ so I expect we will lose the battle for righteousness in our land, but we will gain a crown of life ultimately. cheers, Bruce Burger

  14. Anne Ferrar 15 May 2019 at 8:37 am - Reply

    Well does the Bible say, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness to light and light to darkness, who replace bitter with sweet and sweet with bitter.” Is. 5:20
    Out of date? I don’t think so!

  15. John Pamflett 15 May 2019 at 8:41 am - Reply

    A cloud is very hard to see through, So many alternatives have created such a cloud. There is only one narrow path: God’s path.

  16. Lorna 15 May 2019 at 8:52 am - Reply

    A clear article, covering many issues to share with the family.

  17. Andrew C 15 May 2019 at 9:08 am - Reply

    You make an excellent distinction between (1) principles [what Christiana ought to agree on] and (2) policy/application [where there is room for honest debate].

  18. Linda 15 May 2019 at 9:10 am - Reply

    I agree!

  19. Susan 15 May 2019 at 9:19 am - Reply

    ALL who fear the Lord will HATE evil. Prov 8:13. I’ve been a Christian for decades and still can’t figure how so many Christians uphold as acceptable some of these things that God calls evil. Good clear article.

  20. Jacinta Cossa 15 May 2019 at 9:34 am - Reply

    How timely! I welcome this reminder

  21. Mary Wicks 15 May 2019 at 10:01 am - Reply

    So True

  22. Carol A Forsyth 15 May 2019 at 10:58 am - Reply

    Yes I agree

  23. Sue 15 May 2019 at 10:59 am - Reply

    The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. A lot of fools do not fear the Lord!

  24. Patricia Frost 15 May 2019 at 11:06 am - Reply

    Truth & Justice for our children requires a fear of God

  25. K.A. Cohen 15 May 2019 at 12:10 pm - Reply

    I appreciate the clarity and value of this article in considering how to cast my vote soon.

  26. Jo 15 May 2019 at 12:20 pm - Reply

    Thankyou for the clarity of this article
    And fo truth.

  27. Rebecca 15 May 2019 at 1:24 pm - Reply

    Children are a gift and a blessing from God. They ultimately belong to Him, we are here to love, protect, instruct and guide them in the way they should go. Their lives are not ours for the taking, picking and choosing if they should live or die.
    This article was very informative, people should take voting seriously, and most of all prayerfully.
    Amen

  28. Monica Bennett-Ryan 15 May 2019 at 1:29 pm - Reply

    Well said!

  29. Margaret 15 May 2019 at 2:47 pm - Reply

    How important it is to preserve freedom of speech and thoughts from government legislative interference

  30. Vivian 15 May 2019 at 3:31 pm - Reply

    These principles are well worth pondering when deciding who we vote for.

  31. Michelle 15 May 2019 at 8:47 pm - Reply

    Thank you yes

  32. Ian 15 May 2019 at 11:01 pm - Reply

    The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom (Proverbs 9:10) and this article points out very clearly the lack of Wisdom in those political Leaders and Parties who blatently and knowingly rubbish God’s Word and support policies that are totally against His Will, as set out in the teachings of both the Old and the New Testaments. How can any Party, hoping to form Government, claim to have Wisdom if it is more interested in saving a flock of Finches than the thousands of babies it intends murdering by Abortion, by forcing Public Hospitals to carry out Full Term Abortions for Free?

  33. Rosie 16 May 2019 at 12:49 am - Reply

    Thank you for your wise article. I pray for truth to prevail and God’s mercy on our country. Our vote is very important for our children and grandchildren.

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