The World's Prevailing Spirit

Which of the two mental dispositions characterizes the world today? What is the world's prevailing spirit? World Military and Social Expenditures 1996 notes: "No other century on record equals the 20th is uncivilized . . . Violence." Competition for political and economic power - as well as national, religious, tribal and ethnic rivalries - has killed over 100 million people in this century. Self-centered behavior on an individual level has also increased. The Chicago Tribune stated: "Societal Illness includes mindless violence, child abuse, divorce, drunkenness, AIDS, teenage suicide, drugs, street gangs, rape, illegitimacy, abortion, pornography. . . lying, cheating, political corruption . . . Right and wrong as moral concepts have been abolished." Thus the UN Chronicle warned: "Societies are disintegrating."

These conditions are worldwide. It is just as Bible prophecy foretold for out time: " In the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, self-assuming, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, disloyal having no natural affection, not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, betrayers, headstrong, puffed up with pride." - 2Timothy 3:1-4.

That is an accurate description of this world's prevailing spirit. It is a selfish me-first attitude. Rivalry among individuals. In competitive sports, for example, many athletes desire to be number one regardless of how this hurts others emotionally or even physically. This self-centered pride is promoted in children and continues in many areas of adult life. It results in "enmities, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, contentions, divisions." - Galatians 15:19-21.

The Bible show that the self-centered spirit of this world reflects that of "the one called Devil and Satan, who is misleading the entire inhabited earth." Regarding Satan's influence on the people living in these critical last days, the Bible foretells: "Woe for the earth. . . because the Devil has come down to you, having great anger, knowing that he has a short period of time." (Revelation 12:9-12) So he and his associate demons have intensified their efforts to promote a selfish frame of mind in the human family. And how does Jehovah feel about such an attitude? His Word says: "Everyone that is proud in heart is something detestable to Jehovah."- Proverbs 16:5.

Next time: Jehovah Is With The Lowly Ones