#079| Standing Faithful in Persecuting Times!

Spiritual Warfare: Defending Christian Beliefs in a Hostile World

In this episode of Chaos and Christ, host Alexsy Felix addresses the increasing antagonism towards Christian faith in contemporary society. Highlighting cases like Smith Connor, fined for silently praying near an abortion clinic, and pro-life activists Bevelyn Beatty Williams, who faced imprisonment, Alexsy discusses the implications of societal manipulation and 'thought crimes.' The episode explores the intersection of Christian values and political allegiances, particularly opposing the Democratic party platform, and criticizes how progressive ideologies misuse Christian principles. Alexsy calls for Christians to remain steadfast, trust in God, and boldly stand up for their beliefs despite persecution.

00:00 Introduction and Overview
01:20 First Story: Silent Prayer Controversy
05:29 Thought Crimes and Orwellian Parallels
11:39 Modern Pagan Idolatry and Persecution
13:29 Pro-Life Activist Sentenced to Prison
13:49 Bevelyn Beatty Williams: A Fierce Advocate
14:36 The Legal Battle and Kamala Harris's Role
16:05 Call to Action: Voting and Christian Values
16:45 Standing Firm in Faith
20:34 The Cost of Speaking Out
23:19 Encouragement and Final Thoughts

Articles mentioned in the show:
All I did was pray to God': Court finds Christian man guilty of 'disapproval of abortion' for silently praying for son

Imprisoned pro-lifer urges Americans to vote against 'Jezebel spirit': 'You cannot let Kamala get in'

Transcript

0:05

Welcome back to chaos and Christ podcast. I'm your host, Alexi, Felix. Thank you for tuning in. We've got a few stories to kind of touch on that. I think it was very important for us to really take a look into. I really just a re recognize what's happening. Around the world. And where we as Christians stand in the current climate. Which, you know, if we're being honest, we probably should have been aware of this for a long time. Um, even a little bit before 2020, but 2020 should have been the veil that was lifted for us to recognize that we're not in Kansas and this isn't home and they don't like us. All right. And so we're going to go ahead and dive into a few topics. A few stories that have taken place that I think is worth your time. And I want to make sure that you're aware of it and provide you some of my thoughts. But ultimately give you the encouragement you need. In Christ to move forward. And, um, you know, we're all about truth here. Uh, but the truth is always the truth, which is God is in control is fully aware of what is taking place in this world. And, you know, It could be that God has saw fit to allow certain things to take place. Uh, because we have rejected him in this nation and really in the entire west. So looking at one of the first. Uh, letters or letters, articles. Uh, the title was red. All I did was pray to God. Court finds Christian man, guilty of disapproval of abortion for silently praying for son. So real. Uh, thing happening here. Now this took place in the UK, in England. Uh, I got some notes here that I'm going to be reading out. And I'm just going to kind of share with you my thoughts on this, but, uh, this year Smith Connors, this is a quote from the article itself. Smith Connor has slightly bowed his head and clasped his hands in prayer on a public public green in a buffer zone near the abortion facility in Ofer road, Bournemouth in November, 2022. So two years ago. During the confrontation. With police officers that he recorded, they asked him, what is the nature of your prayer? What a question. What a question to be asked. By police. As if some, like, What you're praying about could lead you into some serious water. And in fact it can, and that is why the question's being asked. If you think that's crazy, if you think that that it's mind boggling, that this is what they are approaching someone about, then welcome to the real world as it is today. This is what we're dealing with. This is it right. They are going to ask you what you're praying about. What is the nature of your prayer? It's not, it's not farfetched. Because this is a real story. This really happened. So just wrap your mind around this, what this means, what is, what this is telling us. So you had a police officer going up to Smith Connor. And the question they ask of him is what is the nature of your prayer? Wild. Next. The court has also ordered the father of two children to pay prosecution costs, amounted to 9,000 pounds, which in the United States dollar that converse to$11,000 and seven. Oh, 700. Yeah, 11,700. So Smith calendars here again, another quote that I read from the article. Served for 20 years in the army reserves, including a tour in Afghanistan. Uh, to protect the fundamental freedoms that this country is built upon. He said, I continue that spirit of service as a healthcare professional. And a church volunteer. It troubles me greatly to see our freedoms. He wrote it to the extent that thought crimes are now being prosecuted in the UK. Dark crimes. So you have a man here. Hu. And based on the story in the article, what was actually there praying silently in his head with someone else bowing their heads in front of the abortion clinic. For the loss of their son, so being a Christian man. Uh, that he is now serving in the military and then having two children. What I think is happening there is that there's just a lot of guilt at times. We'll kind of resurface in their lives. And, you know, they've reconciled their faith with the Lord and, you know, I I'm, and I'm making assumptions here, but. He's reconciled his face with the Lord. He knows there's forgiveness there. Um, and maybe that's what he was doing. Maybe he never had the chance to do that and wanted to go before God and recognize that what he had done was it was sin was a murder of a child in the womb. But that's not one. That's not anyone's business. Definitely not the police to figure out what he's praying about and what the nature of that prayer was. That's the times that we're living living in. Now you might say, Hey Alexi, this is the UK. We'll. Hold on, let me just finish this story and we'll look into the other thing that I got going on here. But. We have what he has coined as a thought crime. Because that's ultimately what it was taking place here. They want to know what he's thinking as he's praying, because depending on what that is, could land him some serious trouble. So it's so much that the, the idea that you can have a thought to yourself, In your own brain. Can can cause you to actually face imprisonment. Have you guys ever read the book? George Orwell's 1984. Most people at the 2020. I figured out a little bit more about that book. Have they never read it? I admit that I didn't read it. I actually found out that my sister was the one that read it in school. My high school definitely did not teach us this. But I took the time recently to read the book and I read it and I found it to be very interesting. I'm a reader. I enjoy reading. And there's just so much there. And ultimately. You have the party. And they have different sectors of the government, the ministry ministry of truth. Love. And, uh, something else that I can't quite remember right now. But. The, the thought crime is what they hold. They're people of Oceania too. So there's a call that I gathered from the book, uh, and I'll read it. It says in the end, the party would announced that two and two made five. So they're taking what we know is absolute truth and flipping it on its head. Right. Because it really ultimately is subjectivity and relativism. If you can destroy what is absolutely true, then ultimately you gain power. And if you read the book, you can understand the. The conversation between Winston. And Brian. And why he was doing what he was doing and why? I mean, Brian was torturing him. Try to have him say a certain something that wasn't actually true. But he was trying to break him. And then within the conversations down the line, you just realize that all thereafter is power, not even money, but the sheer power of it all. It's a book you should get definitely read. But anyway, in the end, the party would announced that two and two made five and you would have to believe it. It was inevitable that they should make that claim sooner or later. The logic of their position. Demanded it. Not merely the validity of experience. But the very existence of external reality. I was tacitly denied by their philosophy. So again, Denying absolute truth. This is a form of where they then can, uh, present thought crimes because now that they can present something that breaks down, what is objective? True. And then have you questioned it and have you to accept what you know is not true. But everyone has accepted. So for example, bringing it close to home. Uh, trans women are women. Right. That is an example of what even George Orwell was able to understand right away. Well, you and I both know that trans women are not women. These are men trying to transform their bodies and in their minds to make them be a woman. But it can never be true. Biologically can never be true. The way that our, our DNA in our genetic makeup is designed by God can never be altered. Sure. You can alter your body parts. You can try to act as much as you can as a woman. If you're a man or vice versa. But the truth is the truth. It can never be denied. But when you go around and in the book that we would call that newspeak, transgender women are women. Love is love. Right. Uh, just, just all kinds of different newspeak conversations. This is what we're seeing even today. And George Orwell hit it on the head. So this leaves the premise of thought crimes, right? It gives you the premise of where the thought crime is going to come from. When you go against that. When, you know, what is true. But can't say that. All right. So. Here we have, uh, something like that. So it's not explicitly a thought crime. Like I'm trying to say here, this just highlights how the party manipulates reality. And any deviation from accepted truth is considered a thought crime. That's. That's a note that I have here. That's what I was trying to say. Another quote from the book. The criminal who confessed was immediately. Pardon? But the crime had already been committed. The party would forgive them. But they would never forget. Confession was not the point. The crime was so Thall crime was not simply about action. But about harboring this loyal thoughts and even confession wouldn't erase the transgression. So in our day for us in the year 2024, it is about power and control. And as Christian, do you have been convinced? That you are in fact unloving. Often using our own faith against us to try to be little us and to convince us that we're actually doing this wrong. Have you noticed it leftism or left this. Atheist. Progressive's. They hate the faith. Truly. They hate what the Bible teaches. They hate that Christian has actually hold to it. And yeah, they'll use these principles, use it against us to try to shame us and to make us feel wrong. And they do this all the time. That's not the way Jesus would have done it. Oh, Jesus would have, uh, would have hated you guys. That's. You know, he was not about that. Arch is supposed to be loving, like Jesus said to be loving. So they know nothing about scripture. They know nothing about proper theology or sound doctrine. They have no conception of exactly. They just got some tidbits and highlights and suggestions that they've heard before. And now they're using that to twist and to hurt you with it. So that is, that is what we have today. They don't care. What you're praying about. And at least in our day, It is that it is the fact that you are committing the crime. Of. Going against the new wave of things, new religion. And they will persecute you. They will prosecute you and they will seek to throw you in jail to make an example out of you, because that is the new religion today. What we are seeing in our country is a new rising of pagan. Idolatry all over again. It seems like we do this as, as people. Where we turn our backs on the Lord. And we fall into idolatry. And follow our old stubborn heart and hearts. And the free will that everybody's so passionately wants to follow. They do they get it? They're allowed it. And just like Romans one tells us that God turns his over to debase mind. So we are seen in a new pagan, religion re recommitting itself here in the west. When the west Pryor was conquered by Christianity. This is why we are able to live in the freedoms that we have right now. And the blessings thereof. Because of Christianity and we see that this is on attack. This is going to be persecuted and it's only going to continue. For Connor Smith. He himself has to deal with it in the UK. And the UK is definitely going totalitarian. But then we have to wonder, can this happen in the United States? It's already given us his steady will. And this is a matter of fact, there's a article right now, or someone that we know is actually already in prison for that. In prison, pro-lifer urges Americans to vote against Jezza bowl. Spirit. You cannot let Kamala get in. A pro-life activist reporting to prison for engagement in an abortion clinic blockade. Again. Again, this is about the abortion. This is the calf that cannot be talked about negatively. This is the idol of today. Whatever well. Whatever I load that people are worshiping, I think is selfism, but there's obviously something more to farriers in that, in my opinion, That falls, God requires child sacrifice, and it always seems so gold back to that point. Anyway. So again, in the United States, again in front of an abortion clinic, a pro-life activist is reporting to prison for engagement in an abortion clinic blockade. Is encouraging Americans to elect leaders who will stand for justice and be the beaming lie that you recall to be as she vows to preach the gospel during her incarceration. Her name is Beverly and Betty Williams. If you remember 20, 20 Beverly and Betty was a fierce woman. She was out there calling things out. She was calling out black lives matter. She was calling out the Marxism that the black lives matter platform was actually about. And by the way, Beverly and Betty Williams is a black woman. And she was a, a. Outspoken Christian woman. Speaking about the lives of, of black lives matter and the Progressive's. She even came to the city of Chicago to a church. I was visiting for a little while and that a conference. Real life person. I don't know this person. I've never met them, but I know people that met her. Like I can talk to them right now and they can tell us about the con uh, conference. So this is a real life person. Close to my network. She was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison for standing at the entrance of New York city abortion clinic in November, 2020. And what the United States department of justice characterized as a violation of the freedom of access to clinic entrances act. Which is called face, which is. Ironic. And now in an expo student that she was reporting to prison, Wednesday Williams is now serving time in prison, following a not successful effort to overturn her conviction on the law, which subjects, anyone who attempts to interfere with abortion services to federal charges. My bevel and Betty and sister we've offered Donald Trump that Kamala Harris has always done this in her career. And again, you can definitely look into that. And see that Kamala Harris has always persecuted to the fullest extent. Anyone who would ever speak negatively or protest peacefully. Uh, abortion. Like she she's vehement about it. She will come after you and tear you down. You will be persecuted for that one thing. So. You know, we have that happening here in the United States, too. This. Beveling Betty is a wife and a mother too young. Young babies like young children. She's being incarcerated. In prison. For a piece for the protesting in front of an abortion clinic. That's that's the state of things. There's no denying this. This is the state of our country today. And she's insisting that we vote in Donald Trump. That we can not let Kamala Harrison. I don't care what you think about Donald Trump? He has his flaws. There are things that I do not agree with him on, but this is common sense. This is common sense. All right. That doesn't mean that voting him in is going to stop what is happening, because again, I think this is something spiritual. Right. And we, as Christians need to get out there and recognize that we have really given way to the culture. And to the demands of, of progressivism for far too long. They have shamed us into thinking that our beliefs are wrong. And they've put us in the fetal position. And I've said this many times, but I mean, it. There's a lot of softness in our, in our, in our religion here. And I think it's time that we stand firm. That doesn't mean we're going to go tear deep things down or revolutionize. That's not what I mean. What I mean is to stand firm and preach the truth and what the gospel teaches with Bible teaches without shame. And enough giving caveats as to. You know this or that like, well, you know, not to offend anyone, but this is where the Bible says, no, just say what the Bible says, let them be offended. That's what we were called to do. We were to expect that. And we've gotten real soft. And in our country. That we're so afraid to even love. Tell the truth. So. Vote Donald Trump. It's a common sense if you're in the United States, will Donald Trump, if you are listening elsewhere in a different country, Uh, Germany. UK. You know, recognize a, you, God has placed you there for a reason. You have a purpose there. Okay. And at a very small level, all you got to do is just speak out and share with those around you. The ones asking you to run for the office. But just recognize what is happening here. But the real change that's going to have to take place is that people need to repent. And realize that. It is God who's. King. He is the one who runs the, this, he runs the world. His ways are better than our ways. And we need to get back to his word and see what he says and stop trying to be. You know, ashamed of it. Because if we are denying him and before people, he would deny us before his father, this is in the scriptures. We need to get to this place where we recognize what's happening. And if you want any more proof that, that Kamala. Hair is. Is is, is. Definitely guns, Christians. Just looking a little further to the recent rally that she was holding when she was talking about, I believe she was talking about abortion. All right. I believe so. Uh, correct me if I'm wrong, send me a mail. Look me up, correct me if I'm wrong. If I'm wrong, I'll correct myself. But, so I think she was talking about abortion. And someone screams out. Jesus is Lord and her response is. Oh, I think you're at the wrong rally. I got a couple of things to say about that. Christian, you are at the wrong rally. You also have the wrong party. Because any Christian who. Uh, who says I'm a follower of Christ can not in good conscience. Say I can vote for the democratic party. It's not about your freedom of choice you choose by all means. But you have to ask yourself something. Do you really believe God's word? Are you really a Christian? When you know that their party stands on platforms that God would never. Turn a blind eye to there's just no way. The Republican party is not a perfect party. And there's a lot of repentance happening. I mean, on the abortion side, we're falling short. Even Donald Trump is falling short. There, I will be the first to admit. But there's no way that you can tell me that it is okay. And right before God to vote for the democratic platform. Because they are at the theoretical to the Christian faith and to the teachings of scripture. Antithetically no way that it matches up. But also clearly Kamaz the other believe Jesus belongs to that party. So, you know, and obviously not because of all that they stand for. So that should be an obvious thing there. Guys believe them when they say who they are. And show you what they do believe them. All right. You do not have to vote Democrat. You do not have to vote liberal. You do not have to have the acceptance of your aunt and your uncle and your friend and your girlfriend near. I guess what this is going to cost you. It's going to cost you friendship. It's going to cost you acceptance. You won't be invited anymore. You, you probably may lose your job. That is what we're called to do. And we don't want to hear that. We want to save our lives here as much as possible. We want comfort. And it just may be that God is saying, you know what? I will allow this judgment to take place because you care about your comfort to more than anything else. We need to repair. And we need to recognize. The times that we live in. Cause. We may not want to voice our beliefs and worldview and even legislated. But they have no fear of legislating it. They don't care. They have a worldview. They have a belief system and they're going to use it. To the full extent of the law. And then they will create more laws to make sure that they can cement that power. What are you being so shamed of? What are you trying to hold back from? It's time to speak up. And Christian. Remember this John 15, 18 through 19 tells us if the world hates you. You know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world. The world will have its own. But because you are not of the world. But I chose you out of the world. Because of this, the world hates you. The world hates you. Because they hate Jesus Christ. They hated him first. And therefore they will hate his children. They will hate his church. They will hate his bride. Especially what our king has commissioned us to do to go out and make disciples of all the nations. They're going to hate us. They're going to hate you. Uh, buckle up, get with it. It is what it is. And it's time that we recognize we are in a war. And it's not against flesh and blood. I think, you know, the rust. Government of all have always held to their power as God. And they will always hate the true king. And this is why totalitarians will persecute the church. This time they have played a more psychological game. In our day again, convincing us that we're the problem. We're not being as Christian as we should be. Right. So they have utilized a lot of, uh, Marx's ideology, moral relativism, postmodernism. All these things and then taking our scriptures, twisting it to make us feel bad. It's a psychological, spiritual warfare. And it's happening right now. We know that this is coming. But. My encouragement to you. For those that are, are realizing, this is the truth. I can hear you. I hear what you're saying. My encouragement to you is to remember that Jesus said that he would be with us through it all. To the very end. And if that's not your hope, if that doesn't give you enough hope, and I need you to take some time and go before God and prayer and ask. Lauren and my. Do I have faith in you at all? Is this. Is this a self-deception. Do I prize you more than I prize my life. That is something you need to do. To see if indeed you are in the faith. Because our hope is in Christ. And the outcome of our lives is in his hands. We are to be faithful and we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. And we're to love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength and all that. We are to follow him, follow Christ, the kingdom of God and all this righteousness. And he will add everything else. Do not worry about what you will wear and what you will eat. Do not worry about the persecution that may or may not come. Do not worry about the fact that you might be ostracized and told him you can never come to this party ever again. God is aware and he will fulfill and provide for our needs. But you have to have the faith in knowing that he's going to do that for you. In order to go out and about and recognize that we are in a war and you have to be ready and prepared for that. So, Trust in him. If your trust is in him, then you have no fear. Now just pray and ask Lord, what should I do on a most simplest way? What should I do? What have you called me to do? In my day and age. And I believe God will give you the answer. I hope you find this encouraging. I hope. That this informs you. Please share this with other believers and Christians. They need to see this. And need to hear this, um, and make sure that you leave a rating and review on this podcast so that other people could see it in the algorithms could do its job and work for us here. Okay. Look me up on all social media platforms. Um, definitely. A little bit more active now on X. So look me up at Alexi Felix. All articles that I've mentioned are in the show notes. All my social handles are in the show notes. But until next time. Remember. That in the midst of chaos. Christ is there. God bless you.