When the Apostle Paul wrote to the Thessalonians to "Quench not the Spirit" (1 Thess. 5:19) he must have had communism in mind. Leaders should be careful never to steal the precious fire of freedom from common men. As reports of Russian atrocities against Georgia poured across the news channels this week one could only lament a loss so great. The Georgians had, if only for a moment, freedom. Maybe better never to have tasted such a rare delicacy than to taste and have it ripped away.

That was nearly equaled by pictures of perfectly lined masses of Chinese soldiers marching at the Olympics coupled with reports of swarms of secret police hovering around foreign visitors.

Living rooms across the free world have witnessed incredible spectacles this week. One New York journalist, awed by the show in China, wrote that it proved the superiority of the Chinese collectivist system over the American free capitalistic system. What an irony that Chinese journalists don't have the same freedom to criticize their system of governance.

"People don't see the ideologies of political systems because they don't know history." I wish I could take credit for that statement but my wife said it today as we were driving to an appointment. She was commenting on the statement by the NY journalist.

What is so wrong with communism? Of all political systems it, more than any other, kills the spirit.

In his book "People of the Lie" psychiatrist M. Scott Peck studied the concept of evil. His astounding conclusion was that evil can be defined as killing the spirit of a person. That is what makes communism evil. It crushes the spirit of a people like a tank in Tiananmen Square crushed the life out of a Chinese student.

That is what Paul meant when he warned churches not to "quench the spirit" of members. Jamison, Fausett and Brown Commentary says, "Do not throw cold water" on someone who is enthusiastic about his faith. There is a connection to the flames of fire surrounding the throne of God. It is exemplified by the tongues of fire that came upon every person gathered on the Day of Pentecost.

Is it possible to drench with cold water the spirit of members such as those gathered on Pentecost? Well, yes, there will always be well-intentioned dragons occupying positions of church power. They are Christian Communists using the tanks of Church Power to kill the spirit of zealous members. Jesus said, "You compass sea and land to make one proselyte and when he is made you make him twofold more the child of Hell than yourselves." (Matt 23:15)

It is a refreshing privilege to invite men of outstanding ability to speak without regard for politics or power. Tomorrow we will hear from Bronson James, speaker for the Church of God International telecast "Armor of God." You may remember him from the Winter Family Tournament in Lexington last December when he stunned the audience with his rich baritone voice. Bronson's excellent voice combined with his electric personality combine to make him one of the most sought after speakers in the Church of God. Come enjoy this spiritually uplifting Sabbath service.

Until next time,