When Will America Wise Up?

Aamir Qureshi / AFP - Getty ImagesWhen will America realize that the infidel by any name is still an infidel?

We have poured trillions of dollars into Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Egypt, to say nothing of what is more precious than money—the blood of the brave men and women of the United States military. And for what?

To watch Iran’s influence permeate Iraq? To see the butcher of Teheran hold and raise hands with the propped-up presidents of Afghanistan and Pakistan? If there is a picture worth a billion words, that is it. That picture of Islamic unity is like using American sacrifice and tax dollars to jab a finger in America’s eye.

Some misguided policymakers in Washington, D.C. actually think we can do good in Syria by supporting the Muslim Brotherhood and Al Qaeda types against Bashar al-Assad, the Shiite dictator and ally of Shiite Iran. Those policymakers will say we need to abide by our humanitarian principles and support the revolutionaries, regardless of their Islamic stripes.

However, helping one Islamic militant faction against another is a huge mistake. They know how to use America to serve their long-term purposes, and the ultimate outcome will backfire against us just like it did in Egypt and Libya.

Although history repeatedly shows how our good intentions in the Middle East go awry, we are apparently so desperate for our enemies’ approval that we will abandon knowledge altogether.

What happened to wisdom? What happened to statesmen who take into account historic and sectarian divisions? What happened to judicious diplomacy? Jesus speaks of being wise as serpents and gentle as doves, yet when I look at our foreign policymakers, I see very little serpent-like sagaciousness.

There is a saying in the Arab/Muslim world that truly reflects how various Islamic factions view one another: “My brother and I against my cousin, but my cousin and I against the stranger.”

Shiites and Sunnis in Iraq and Pakistan may bomb each other, but we will always be the stranger, the infidel. The holding and raising of those three leaders’ hands is like a middle-finger salute to America and the West. They proclaim that “my cousin and I are against you.”

No matter how many trillions of dollars we pour into those countries, they will always hate the infidels. If the riots and the killing of two American soldiers in Afghanistan last week do not convince our policymakers of the desperate need for wisdom, then even the threat of our demise may not do it.

Our citizens and leaders who truly understand that region must not surrender to the abandonment of wisdom. We must change our approach and return to judicious diplomacy. The protection of our tax dollars, the lives of our soldiers, and ultimately, our very survival depends on it.

Knowing that part of the world as I do, and having confidence in the principled core of some American leaders, I will keep on pleading for real change as long as I live.

Comments

[Debra Evans]

Thank you for your powerful insight Dr. Youssef. It's sad it seems only a few of our leaders recognize these dangers. I'm very thankful you are standing firm in these trying times. If only we, as Americans would quit worshipping Hollywood and wake up to what's all around us, we would be so much better off. I pray for God's wisdom in these trying times. It's time for for us to bring our nation back to the Godly principles our country was founded on.Though it seems each day we drift farther away from the Lord and from the real truth, I take great comfort in knowing our Lord is still in control.

[AmericanPatrtiot4Life]

I stand with you Brother Youssef. Unfortunately our bleeding hearts will do us in. I believe it will take another American Revolution or Civil War to see any great change. We seem to learn more when we see more bloodshed in our own homeland. Will continue to stand with you in prayer, amen.

[Jimmy]

I think we need to do a WWII style leaflet drop of gospel tracts on the whole middle east.

[Homayun]

So you are saying we should not help the poor people slaughtered in Syria beause we are afraid of what the next regime will be? What if someone said we should not help overthrough Nazi Germany because of what danger the next German regime could be?

[Charlotte Travis]

That picture is so disturbing. It indeed paints a billion alarming words. Thank you for boldly sharing this vital Godly wisdom for the love of God and country. God bless you and your ministry!

[John H]

If politics is about power (and it surely is at this level of play) and power is "the ability to be or to make be," then the politics we see is really about getting something - anything - done, or taking credit for getting something done.

When this addiction to power becomes one of, or perhaps the only, god(s) in your life, then everything starts and ends with expediency - taking advantage of opportunities without regard for the consequences of others. Expediency creates several casualties of which wisdom is the first and foremost. Wisdom consists of character (understanding, acknowledging and accepting the Source of wisdom), courage (an understanding of the risks coupled with the will to move forward), and thinking in time (the lessons of the past, the broader impact on the present, and the intended and, more likely, unintended, consequences in the future). In Genesis 16, we see how the expediency of Sarai and Abram led to the birth of "a wild donkey of a man" whose hand "will be against everyone and everyone's hand against him, he will live in hostility toward all his brothers."

The angel Lucifer was focused on his power and the expediency of becoming ALL powerful. The Bible and all of history is full of such examples of wisdom being sacrificed at the altar of power and expedience.

Dear Brother, thank you for your ever Biblically-inspired wisdom and insight into the events and trends in our world. I join with you in praying for the rise of wisdom in the halls of "power" in our government.

[Richyrich]

@Homayun,

If you cannot understand the gravity of the situation, and truly perceive in the depth of your soul, the Islamic agenda and the inherent dangers that come with it which are working non-stop in an effort to erode your personal freedoms, safety and well-being, of which you and I take for granted in America and in every democratic country of the world, then you sir are clearly one of the socialistic sheep who have been brainwashed, deceived and are now sadly living in a fool's paradise that does not...and will not ever exist.

[Jim]

Michael--- As usual, on the subject of the Arab World, you are "spot on." I have been closely involved in this part of the world for the past twenty two years and in that time have seen many promising and many disappointing events take place. Many of those disappointments have been due to the ignorance of U.S Policy. The regime of the Mullahs and the current Iranian President cannot be trusted for one moment. Your description of Arabs and infidels in this part of the world is so true. "Pan Arabism" only fits when there is an advantage for the Arabs. This weekend Kuwait is celebrating 21 years of liberation from Iraqi occupation. I was one of the first journalists into Kuwait at Liberation. I still remember Kuwaitis remarking, under their breath, they could not wait for other Arab troops to leave their country. I said, "they just helped free you guys, that is no way to treat these guys." The response was, "we never liked them, and never will, we only tolerate each other." Several Arab leaders have told me that the problem with the U.S. is "many of your (US) officials do not understand the complexities, of the Arab world, and trying to win our hearts and minds will not solve the problem." You are right in advocating a more knowledgeable policy of our statesmen toward this part of the world. May God grant us all the wisdom to see His light, and a Peaceful solution to this situation.

[Richard Schivley]

Simply....If they are bent on killing one another, so be it! Maybe there will be fewer hater's of America. As for the women and children, God help them.

[Connie Lee]

You are so wise and can determine the truth that this country needs to realize and act on. I am hoping you can have an audience with the Republican canidates as their eyes need to be opened to the truth before they take office in November !! You can make a great contribution to our welfare if decisions are made on the truth concerning the middle east and the mind-set they have towards us, the infidels. God bless you, Michael and your ministries.

[Polly]

Yes, Michael, I am glad beyond words that you have insight into the mind-set of middle easterners, and I, too, hope so very much that you will be able to speak to Republican canididates about your perceptions, SOON. Thank you for publicly giving all a heads up on your blog, and God bless you!

[Polly]

P.S. I assume you have tried to get in to see President Obama to share your insight?

[Jacob]

Thank you for saying the truth. Our President has shown that he is a coward. He appoints "committees" to handle his job so that he will have a group of scapegoats. He forgets that he represents all of us Americans, not just the militant homosexuals, and socialists. We are to pray for our leaders and I read your articles always asking us to pray for our President. It would be wonderful if he would listen and hear with his heart and mind. We are losing more of our liberties every day, with the EPA making all the rules to take away our freedoms. Why we don't rise up against this tyranny is beyond me! So many whisper about our liberties being taken away and the constitution ignored, but we should be shouting from the housetops! Thank you for facing reality and trying to get America to wake up before we lose everything our forefathers shed blood to attain. God Bless you and your ministry mightily!!

[Janet]

Your columns deserve a wide hearing, you are one of the very few evangelical leaders speaking out. The truth is so simple and so obvious, but the Bible does speak of apostasy coming upon us in the last days. The biblical worldview used to be mainstream, now it seems to fall upon deaf ears more and more. May God bless you.

[Madelyn]

Once you reject the light-darkness will rule. To the degree you reject the light-is the degree of darkness you walk in. I believe America is in decline. When we "honor what is vile, the wicked freely strut about". We "call evil good and good evil". God has released His judgement on America.

[abey]

Islam is not the problem, the problem are them who pit one against the other, in other words playing on the peoples psyche/nerves, a dangerous clout of unhand/underworld manipulators in the order of the Biblical Beast.

[Madelyn]

IGNORING GOD LEADS TO A DOWNWARD SPIRAL! "But God's angry displeasure erupt's as acts of human mistrust & wrongdoing & lying accumulate, as people try to put a SHROUD OVER TRUTH. But the basic reality of God is plain enough. Open your eyes and there it is! By taking a long & thoughtful look at what God has created, people have always been able to see what their eyes as such can't see: eternal power, for instance, & the mystery of His divine being. So nobody has a good excuse. What happened was this: People knew God perfectly well, but when they didn't treat Him like God, refusing to worship Him, they trivialized themselves into silliness & confusion so that there was neither sense nor direction left in their lives. They pretended to know it all, but were illiterate regarding life. They traded the glory of God who holds the whole world in His hands for cheap figurines you can buy at any roadside stand."

[Madelyn]

"So God said, in effect, "If that's what you want, that's what you get.' It wasn't long before they were living in a pigpen, smeared with filth, filthy inside & out. And all this because they traded the true God for a fake god, & worshiped the god they made instead of the God who made them-the God we bless, the God who blesses us. Oh, yes! Worse followed. Refusing to know God, they soon didn't know how to be human either-women didn't know how to be women, men didn't know how to be me. Sexually confused, they abused & defiled one another, women with women, men with men-all lust, no love. And then they paid for it, oh, how they paid for it-emptied of God & love, godless & loveless wretches. SINCE THEY DIDN'T BOTHER TO ACKNOWLEDGE GOD, GOD QUIT BOTHERING THEM & LET THEM RUN LOOSE. AND THEN ALL HELL BROKE LOOSE; rampant evil, grabbing & grasping, vicious backstabbing. THEY MADE LIFE HELL ON EARTH, with their envy, wanton killing, bickering & cheating. Look at them: mean spirited, venomous, FORK-TONGUED GOD-BASHERS. Bullies, swaggerers, INSUFFERABLE WINDBAGS! They keep inventing new ways of wrecking lives. They ditch their parents when they get in the way. Stupid, slimy, cruel, cold blooded. AND IT'S NOT AS IF THEY DON'T KNOW BETTER. THEY KNOW PERFECTLY WELL THEY'RE SPITTING IN GOD'S FACE. AND THEY DON'T CARE-WORSE, THEY HAND OUT PRIZES TO THOSE WHO DO THE WORSE THINGS BEST!" Rom 1:18-32 (MSG)

[Madelyn]

That scripture post is NOT just about homosexuality. Wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness, envy, murder, strife, defeat, evil mindedness, gossiping, backbitting, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventor of evil things, disobedience to parents, UNDISCERNING, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful. If you have any of those in your heart-you're still on that same track. We have to repent of those things. Left unchecked, that's where those things lead to evil & progress to greater lawlessness. Or if we approve of those who practive them. To approve of homosexuality is a sin. In the U.S. we're in a time we're being robbed of something because of vain philosophys. We're at a point now where our theology is being based on our philosophy instead of being based upon the scriptures.

[Madelyn]

They knew God, but rejected the light. HE GAVE THEM OVER TO DEMONIC INFLUENCE & THE LUST OF THEIR HEARTS, THE PRIDE OF LIFE. THEY EXCHANGED THE TRUTH OF GOD FOR A LIE. THEY BEGAN TO BELIEVE A LIE. FIRST OF ALL IT'S NOT RECOGNIZING GOD. THEIR UNDERSTANDING BECOMES DARKENED. THEY THEN THINK THAT THEY'RE WISE BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO LIGHT TO TELL THEM THAT THEY'RE WRONG. They begin to lust in their hearts. They begin to misuse/dishonor their bodies amongst themselves. THEY BEGIN TO BELIEVE A LIE. THEY EXCHANGED THE TRUTH (GOD) FOR A LIE. So they worshipped the creature instead of God. God gave them up to vile passions. AND THEY DID NOT LIKE TO RETAIN GOD IN THEIR KNOWLEDGE (I don't like the way God designed us). If I don't accept the laws of creation-that gives them up to vile passion. GOD GIVING THEM OVER TO DEMONIC INFLUENCE. THEY DON'T ACCEPT THE WAYS OF GOD. GOD SAID, 'IF YOU'RE NOT GOING TO FOLLOW MY WAYS, I'LL GIVE YOU OVER TO THE WAYS YOU WANT TO FOLLOW-YOU'LL GET THE FRUIT OF WHAT YOU'RE FOLLOWING-DEMONIC INFLUENCE INSTEAD OF HEAVENLY INFLUENCE."

[Madelyn]

This is really not all about homosexuality. It's about the state of America. God, His ways, & scripture has been rejected. We are reaping that in demonic influence in every arena: politics, religion, education, family, media, business, war. There is no salt & light. There is a "shroud" over truth. It's like a spirit of delusion covering the earth, America, the church, & believers. The shaking of God's righteous judgement will shake everything loose that is not of Him, starting with the church, believers, the nation and the world. It's time to be in a position of humility and repentence just like Noah and Lot. Don't be like Lot's wife whose heart was so attached to "the way life used to be" that you become transition and visitation challenged. Even with the angels holding her by the hand and pointing, "Go there and don't look back!", in her hesitation, she missed her visitation and became a monument to the past!

[Madelyn]

Pastor Michael, I greatly honor and respect you and the destiny calliing the Lord's placed on your life and the wisdom He's given you to proclaim to the masses!! My daughters and I were blessed to be a part of Church of the Apostles for many years including the Living Waters program. The Lord has shown me that most, if not all, of those coming out of homosexuality are victims of childhood sexual abuse. Gender confusion, D.I.D., P.T.S.S., O.C.D. panic attacks, anxiety, abnormal fears and more are all things my youngest daughter has had to deal with in years past because of her own childhood trauma. I view homosexuals as captives. I know God has such a strong call on their lives for the enemy to try to take them out in such ways. When Obama appointed the first transvestite to a very high ranking govt. position years ago, the Lord allowed me to see a video interview of them. This highly intelligent military officer, jet test pilot, had become a strikingly beautiful, well spoken woman through years of sex change operations as a man. Their militant homosexual agenda included govt. funded sex change operations for children. This is becoming reality. On another note, sharia law is now being practiced in U.S. courts. As the deep darkness accelerates to cover the earth, He will allow the weighty glory of His presence & light in us to grow in ways we don't have a grid of understanding for. He's showing me we carry that glory wherever we go. When we enter a room, it displaces darkness & creates an atmosphere for truth to manifest. He chose us to be born, live at the exact address we live at, and be a part of His destiny purposes revealing who He is to others. We were born for such a time as this! PTL!!

[Jimbobbeebob]

Madelyn wrote ALOT!

[Madelyn]

...sorry Jimbobbeebob. Alot was meant for good, not for alot.

[Rosana]

Mr. Homayun, who said that the poor people who got slaughtered in Syria were slaughtered by the regime? For your information, I am Syrian, and I know many people who got killed by militant and people who are against the regime in Syria. Those people forced many shops' owner to close their shops and protest with them, and whoever refused to do so got killed and slaughtered. I know 2 families in Homs, who got killed in this ugly way. Thus, definitely, we are not going to support those people who use weapons against innocent people in the name of freedom.
Thank you Dr. Youssef for telling the truth, especially about Syria.

[Nana'sGirl]

Thank you for your continued boldness and discernment....you really are a light in the darkness....I'm so overjoyed to be your sister-in-Christ!

[Moe]

Unless and until America REPENTS and RETURNS to the God of the Bible -- Who is the source of all genuinely profitable wisdom -- the answer to WHEN the country will wise up is NEVER, becoming more and more foolish instead, just as we see happening that's creating so much frustration among Christians. The church will simply have to keep praying (for as long as we live, granted) that America WILL ultimately return to God, although given America's overwhelmingly hardy disinterest in the things of God (despite a few principled leaders at their core), I personally wouldn't put a lot of money on it.

[DC]

Newt 2012! He's the only one strong enough to stand up to all of our enemies, namely the main stream media!

[roy]

what did you except but we continue to think that this is a religion of peace just as hier htler wa a man of piece. you are right pator youssef we need to wake up and stop wasting money men and time on these people. they only want our death and destruction. tha is why the fear us because we have the truth of he gospel (for those who believe in the one true God) and that is what has them in fear of americans.

[Arlene]

yes this is true but what and how do we help the people in Syria?

[Madelyn]

The Holy Spirit told Huckabee NOT to run in the 2012 Presidential election because it was so "toxic"! He also stated there is NO ONE running that he could support!!! Thank You, Lord, that Your perfect plan unfolds no matter how it looks to us in Jesus' name!

[MAE]

God is sovereign. Everything is under His control. If our leaders are stupid, they are there for a purpose.
Roman 8:28 tells us that the lord turns every evil for good for His Saints. So why be anxious? We are mere sojourners in this evil world. We are called to spread Jesus in the world not to change history- God will take care that. Please spend more time reading the Holy Bible and pray unceasingly and be thankful in everything( 1 Thess 5; 17-18 )