The federal government, along with state and local entities, has been aggregating power since the nation's founding, often restricting freedoms under the guise of national security or crisis management. With every war, depression, civil strife, natural disaster, or social inequality, the government has increased its control over citizens, exacting new measures of dependence. State and local governments, feeling their power erode, seek to compensate by exerting greater authority over individuals. A striking example is seen in Charlotte, where the Department of Social Services (DSS) removed ten children from Jack and Kathy Stratton, claiming inadequate care and supervision without providing substantial justification. Despite the Strattons being an intact, loving family with a long-term marriage, the DSS has accused them of abuse without proof, allowing only their oldest child to return upon reaching adulthood. This case exemplifies an egregious abuse of power, a pattern not unique to Charlotte but occurring nationwide against everyday Americans striving to live outside mainstream norms. Christians, in particular, must be cautious as the worldview driving these abuses is often secular and politically correct. To avoid such persecution, it is wise to minimize attention to differences, adhere strictly to laws, maintain a low profile in practices like homeschooling or refusing immunizations, and ensure a respectable public appearance. Pray for God's protection and heed the wisdom of prudence in evil times, foreseeing potential harm and safeguarding oneself and family.

Mankind, created in the image of God, has been endowed with remarkable powers to have dominion over the earth, as seen in Genesis 1:26 and 28. These powers, intended for cultivating and preserving beauty, have often been misused, leading to destruction and degeneration. From the earliest times, as with Adam and Eve's failure to maintain the Garden of Eden, and Cain's murder of Abel, humanity has turned these God-given abilities toward violence and control over others' destinies. Throughout history, from Nimrod to modern nations, man has used intellect and power to conquer, exploit, and destroy, whether through wars, environmental devastation, or social ills like famines and epidemics, many of which are man-caused. This abuse of power stems from a deceiving, destroying spirit, identified as satan, who influences humanity to act counter to God's intentions. As seen in John 8, this spirit of murder and lies drives mankind to reflect destructive works rather than the positive, creative essence of God's image. The misuse of power is evident in massive scales of war and environmental ruin, as well as in individual relationships, accumulating from small missteps to catastrophic outcomes. Revelation 11:18 warns that God will destroy those who destroy the earth, encompassing both physical creation and humanity itself, showing the dire consequences of such abuse. In contrast, Jesus Christ used His powers rightly, always reflecting the image of His Father, even when His disciples, influenced by a destructive spirit, sought to destroy rather than build, as in Luke 9:51. The giving of God's Holy Spirit, celebrated at Pentecost and mirrored in the breath of life given to Adam in Genesis 2:7, provides the essential power of love and discipline to guide and control all other powers. This Spirit enables mankind to produce positive function and beauty, counteracting the destructive influence of satan and aligning actions with God's purpose to cultivate and keep, as originally commanded.