How Unclean Spirits Destroy Civlizations
Our culture is falling apart. Conservatives often lament this decay, observing that as moral standards erode, communities become increasingly licentious until they ultimately collapse and require reconstruction. The standard explanation for this phenomenon is that it’s challenging to preserve societal values, whereas succumbing to immorality, sloth, greed, corruption, sexual perversion, and other vices is relatively easy.. However, I propose a different explanation for societal decay, one that applies not only to societies founded on general revelation principles but also to explicitly Christian societies.
In Of Antichrist and His Ruin, John Bunyan discusses the fall of Babylon, but what he articulates can be applied to the downfall of any society and not just the end of Babylon as a type of the kingdom of darkness. Bunyan says that as long as Christians are in Babylon, it can be influenced for good, but also that by its nature it attracts unclean spirits, and thereby becomes the habitation for the most vile of the sons of men.
“I say therefore, when Babylon shall become the habitation of devils, a hold for all foul spirits, and a cage for every unclean and hateful bird, then Babylon is fallen.” What do we see when we look at the leftist leaders in our society? “Let God’s people, when Antichrist is towards her end, look for nothing from her, but what the devil, in times past, used to do; to wit, all sinful subtilty, malice, wrath, fraud, deceit, lying, murder, false accusations, and implacable madness.” We see sexual perversion, the inability to distinguish man from woman, mutilating children through gender surgery, Christianity decried as immoral whilst the occult and atheism are considered beneficial.
I’m not making the same eschatological point as Bunyan, but I am extracting a principle, and applying it to the times of cultural decay and God’s judgment on a society. Bunyan says that such a culture will attract unclean spirits.
As such, cultural decay is not merely due to natural cycles or difficulty in keeping order and discipline, but part of a spiritual battle. The unclean spirits want to benefit from culture but also want to destroy it. That is their inherent self-contradiction and madness. These unclean spirits are drawn to the light of truth, but their presence introduces corruption, leading to the society's eventual downfall.
Understanding this dynamic is crucial for Christians, informing their approach to societal preservation, spiritual warfare, the kind of discipline necessary to protect their communities. All Christians should oppose the unclean. We should not simply hand over our society to demons.
Of course we preach the gospel of redemption to those lost in sin, knowing we are redeemed sinners as well. But we don’t help by pretending that unclean behavior doesn’t exist, or by calling it 'good' and 'love. A repentant sinner comes out of the uncleanness of sin to embrace the life of Christ.
The Attraction of Unclean Spirits to the Light of Truth
The concept of unclean spirits, as used in this context, refers to individuals who have rejected God’s truth, choosing instead to live according to their own desires. They have put themselves in the place of God and determine good and evil for themselves. “Do what thou wilt is the whole of the law.” These individuals have darkened minds; their understanding is clouded by sin, preventing them from recognizing or submitting to the law of God. Despite this, they are irresistibly drawn to the benefits of a society founded on truth, order and moral clarity, and the prosperity and blessing such a society brings.
However, their attraction is paradoxical. They seek the advantages that such a society offers but simultaneously despise the moral and spiritual foundations that make these benefits possible. They may seek the advantages of an intact families, for instance, while also working to destroy the family.
Whether by general revelation or Christian teaching, societies grounded in truth have the light of God shining within them. This light naturally attracts people, including those who live in opposition to it. Unclean spirits are drawn to this light, not because they wish to embrace it, but because they desire to exploit the societal benefits it produces. But they bring with them the seeds of corruption. Their influence begins subtly with small moral compromises, but as their presence grows, so does the erosion of the society’s foundations.
One of the critical ways unclean spirits corrupt a society is by introducing and normalizing vices that were previously condemned. They often begin by hiding their true motives, presenting their actions as harmless or even beneficial. For example, what begins as a push for tolerance and acceptance of different lifestyles can slowly devolve into an endorsement of behaviors that were once considered immoral and destructive. As society becomes more tolerant of these behaviors, the unclean spirits become bolder, pushing the boundaries further until what was once unthinkable becomes commonplace. This gradual process often goes unnoticed until the damage is so severe that the society finds itself on the brink of collapse.
One strategy they use is to twist the scriptures and thereby prey on the weak-minded. The unclean spirit, like Satan tempting Christ, whispers to the Christian, “But God is love, shouldn’t you accept love in any form?” Or, “But true religion is taking care of the orphan and widow, shouldn’t you want a centralized state and taxation to provide for them?” Or, “Judgment starts at the house of God, haven’t you considered the many ways Christians failed in the past and present?” Such temptations to doubt and compromise with worldly philosophies drive a wedge between the weak and the orthodox faith passed down from the Apostles.
The Spiritual Battle and the Role of Discipline
Recognizing the presence of unclean spirits in a society is crucial for Christians who are committed to preserving their communities' moral and spiritual integrity. The first step in this process is understanding that a society built on truth will inevitably attract corrupting influences. Such a recognition prevents naivete and prepares Christians for the inevitable ongoing spiritual battle. The presence of unclean spirits should not be seen as a failure of the society itself but as a testament to the light it possesses—a light so bright that it draws both those who seek to live by it and those who wish to extinguish it.
The second step involves recognizing what is required in this spiritual battle. Societal decay is the result of active, ongoing struggle against the truth, and this battle requires vigilance, discernment, and a steadfast commitment to upholding the principles that sustain a just and moral society. Christians must be prepared to engage in the hard work of defending and preserving the truth, even when it is unpopular or difficult. We must be willing to stand against the tide of societal change when it moves away from God’s standards and to do so with both wisdom and courage.
A significant aspect of this battle is the role of discipline within society. Discipline is not simply about punishment but about maintaining order, upholding standards, and guiding individuals toward what is right. Christians must learn to apply discipline to identify and address the influence of unclean spirits before they can do significant damage. This involves not only personal discipline in maintaining one’s own moral integrity but also a collective effort to uphold societal standards that reflect the truth of God’s law. Discipline in this context means being willing to call out sin and corruption, even when it is uncomfortable or when it requires going against the majority opinion.
Additionally, the application of discipline includes creating systems within society that promote accountability and transparency. Unclean spirits thrive in environments where there is little oversight or where corruption is allowed to flourish unchecked. By establishing strong institutions that are committed to truth and justice, Christians can help prevent the spread of corruption and protect their communities from the influence of those who seek to exploit societal benefits without contributing to their upkeep. Such institutions must be built on the foundational truths of a biblical worldview.
Conclusion
It is essential in our day to remain vigilant and discerning, recognizing the presence of corrupting influences before they take root. We must become mature and stop being infants (Eph 4:14). We need to engage in the spiritual battle with the understanding that maintaining a society built on truth requires constant effort and commitment. Finally, we need to apply discipline both personally and collectively, ensuring that the standards of truth and righteousness are upheld in all areas of life. By doing so, we can help protect our communities from the destructive forces of unclean spirits and contribute to the preservation of a just and moral society that promotes the truths of the Gospel.