Leviathan Is A Fresh Water Creature

"You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." - Matthew 5:13-16 ESV

I often think of this concept that there is a world system that has been declared as the enemy of the believer.

"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world - the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life - is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever." - 1 John 2:15-17 ESV

"Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory." - Matthew 4:8 ESV

"As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful." - Matthew 13:22 ESV

"And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness." - 1 John 5:19 KJV

It is almost like a plot out of a science fiction film. The idea that humanity exudes or is swimming in something diabolical and does not even know it. The last verse in 1 John makes the claim that we know that the world is like this. Someone who has faith in Christ looks around and realizes quickly that the culture they are in is much darker than the faith they have.

Can we rid ourselves from this 'world' that the Bible speaks of? People try. They try to pass or establish Biblically based laws and impose structure that is anti-world. America was formed by people who left Europe and many of them had this idea and wove it into the fabric of the national cloth. Salty people with a salty world view made for an incredible success story.

"Can you draw out Leviathan with a fishhook or press down his tongue with a cord? Can you put a rope in his nose or pierce his jaw with a hook? Will he make many pleas to you? Will he speak to you soft words?... Lay your hands on him; remember the battle - you will not do it again!" - Job 41:1-3, 8 ESV

But, The world isn't passive and cords can't bind leviathan. The cords won't bind him for long. In His element he is the master.

I just want to quote the first verse again because I think it holds the answer for us.

"You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." - Matthew 5:13-16 ESV

Salt and light are the answer. The cosmos (world) does not function well in salt and light. Leviathan is a fresh water creature.

"Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor, but evil comes to him who searches for it. Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf. Whoever troubles his own household will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart. The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise." - Proverbs 11:27-30 ESV

Changing rules must always be secondary to the great cause of changing hearts and minds. If people with changed minds can get a foothold in society they will change the rules as protection against the darkness they used to know but now disdain.

This principle is true for the individual also. More and stricter rules will not transform me. Salt and light will preserve and change me. Spending time with salty people will make me saltier. Exposure to the light of grace teaching and practical compassion will cause my values to change.

Don't we want to enter the bland situation and bring the presence of God into it? It won't be our personality that accomplishes that. It will be us co-laboring with God that does it.

I want to live salty and die salty.

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