A good understanding have all they that keep Jesus' commandments

Psalm 111:10 - King James Version (KJV) <10> The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

"A good understanding have all they that do his commandments." This favourite verse's pairing of good and truth is not a mere abstraction but can be depended upon in everyday life by anyone at all. The relationship between righteousness and understanding corresponds to the bread and wine of the Eucharist as well as to being a "doer" and a "hearer" of the Word. For as James says,

James 1:22 - King James Version (KJV) <22> But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

and as God says in

John 14:15 - King James Version (KJV) <15> If ye love me, keep my commandments.

In the New Church, we often hear of the relationship between good and truth and also of that between love and wisdom. We can depend upon knowing about this warp and woof relationship in all parts of the Bible, including both its positive and its negative poles. For we hear tell of the wine and bread of Melchizedek, and that also of the Eucharist; but also we hear tell of something called the "bread and wine of violence"; this "bread and wine of violence", of course, expresses the negative pole or flip side of the relationship between good and truth or between love and wisdom, and therefore involves the relationship of evil with falsity.

Proverbs 4:17 - King James Version (KJV) <17> For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.

But let us return to that "A good understanding have all they that do His commandments." One has already made mention of good and understanding, righteousness and wisdom, bread and wine, as basically the X and Y of the Bible. But what happens if someone, for instance, breaks one of those commandments and, at the same time, does not love the Lord? For God has plainly told us that love to Him involves keeping His commandments; we have plainly been told that our truth must exist in relation to good and not apart from it.

If someone breaks one of His commandments then, at that point, "they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence". Let us zoom in on this concept: if someone breaks His commandment, thus by default does evilly, then they no longer have good understanding, otherwise known as truth. Accordingly, the evil of their deeds associates itself with falsities appropriate to it.

As we read in <<Apocalypse Revealed>>, "I have seen and heard many who were in the highest degree devils, who understood as the angels themselves do, the arcana of angelic wisdom, when they heard and read them; but instantly when they returned to their love, and thence to their pride, they not only understood nothing about them, but also saw the opposites, from the light of the confirmation of falsity, in them" (940:2). At first glance, one might see this passage as an exception to the relationship between good and truth or evil and falsity discussed up to this point. But it becomes clear on inspection that this elevation of evil people's understanding is a temporary phenomenon, as is their capacity to preach knowledgeably and movingly. For as we see here, "when they returned to their love, and thence to their pride, they not only understood nothing about them, but also saw the opposites".

As we read in <<Divine Providence>>, "The Lord's divine providence causes evil and the attendant falsity to serve for equilibrium, contrast, and purification, and so for the conjunction of good and truth in others" (2).

Let us look at two particular instances of this "equilibrium, contrast, and purification" drawn from the Word.

Jeremiah 43:2 - King James Version (KJV) <2> Then spake Azariah the son of Hoshaiah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the proud men, saying unto Jeremiah, Thou speakest falsely: the Lord our God hath not sent thee to say, Go not into Egypt to sojourn there:

Matthew 5:11 - King James Version (KJV) <11> Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

The bread of wickedness (which is the "proud men") and wine of violence ("Thou speakest falsely) serves as fructification for the conjunction of righteousness and wisdom; it serves to make us increasingly worthy of the bread and the wine, by degrees of increased righteousness in association with increased understanding according to the order of regeneration.

Of these degrees we read, "It is the enjoyment of man’s life to love himself and the world above all else. This enjoyment cannot be removed in a moment, but only gradually. In the measure in which it remains in man, evil is stronger in him and can be removed only as self-love becomes a love of uses, or as the love of ruling is not for its own sake but for the sake of uses" (Divine Providence 233:5). Thus, during the regeneration a person's starting evil and falsity gradually attenuate in ongoing interrelation; which also relates to the "equilibrium, contrast, and purification" which "evil and the attendant falsity" perform for our ultimate good, in an orchestration lovingly overseen by our Father, who does not expect to turn us all from brats into humans overnight.

But let us return now to "A good understanding have all they that do His commandments". Let us zoom in still further. What if we, for instance, consider one of His commandments close? Yes, let's have a close look at Leviticus 18:22

Leviticus 18:22 - King James Version (KJV) <22> Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.

Though one personally has a predisposition to the hereditary evil of homosexuality, nonetheless the Lord has mercifully and gently led one out of its practice as well as of condoning it. In other words, one has gradually come to keep the commandment that one just cited. Now, I believe we were promised a good understanding if we, for instance, "keep His commandments". Well, one stands before you now as one who does have more understanding on the subject of homosexuality because. one. keeps. the. commandment.

Now, "abomination" comes across quite strongly! You would think that someone might be trying to get our attention. As we read in the Writings, "Abominations in the Word signify in general the evils which are named in the six last commandments of the Decalogue" (Apocalypse Revealed 891).

In other words, if I or any man were to "lie with mankind, as with womankind", then one would effectively have broken one of the commandments which, as if of ourselves but of the Lord, we. are. to. keep. After all, "[the Lord] cannot be conjoined as long as the man is in the delight of evil" (Apocalypse Revealed 937:3). Now, mention has been made not just of practising homosexuality but also of condoning its practice.

We read in

Proverbs 2:11-14 - King James Version (KJV) <11> Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: <12> To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things; <13> Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; <14> Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked;

See that? People exist who "delight in the frowardness of the wicked"; some of those people, to be crystal clear, condone homosexual marriages in the Church.

If, then, these people commit the sin of condoning homosexuality, then it follows that there exists some falsity in association with it. Let us now consider the traditional Christian and New Christian attitude towards homosexuality. The traditional rule in both Old Church and New Church requires people literally not to engage in the act in question and of course not to defend it either. If anyone does defend it, then they are "delighting in the frowardness of the wicked" in association with falsity.

Now, as many Christians who have interacted with pro-gay marriage people can testify, there is a tendency on the part of the pro-homosexual-marriage party to distort the sincere warnings of loving Christians into 'hatred of gay people', which they term 'homophobia'. Supposedly, a Christian frantically waving their hands up and down and warning a homosexual that the bridge is out! the bridge is out! is actually 'prejudiced' and needs to become more 'woke'. Well, friends, every second spent defending gay marriage is a second not spent warning gay people that. the. bridge. is. OUT.

Jeremiah 2:13 - King James Version (KJV) <13> For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.

To "forsake" the Lord signifies to break a commandment. To "hew", an indication that trust in one's own intelligence bears relation to the verse, pertains to a falsity that accompanies the absence of conjunction with the Lord, as occurs for instance if someone does not keep His commandments, such as for instance Leviticus 18:22.

Leviticus 18:22 - King James Version (KJV) <22> Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.

The idolatry spoken of in the Bible and falsity in association with its married evil are essentially one and the same, which the Writings express as "marriages of falsity in idolatrous worship" (Arcana Coelestia 1369). Does it begin to make sense, now, why the pro-gay-marriage people accuse you of 'hatred' and 'intolerance'? I believe we have our highly obvious and easily perceptible proof that the relationship between evil and falsity definitely does operate in everyday life. Neighbours, being pro-gay marriage is a sin. And it will result certainly and unavoidably in less understanding and therefore more falsity. Note that 'hatred' and 'intolerance' above; note the term 'homophobia'... These are all falsities in married association with the evil of committing or condoning the practice of homosexuality including in the form of a monogamous relationship. It is so very important that you see this relationship between evil and falsity clearly.

Indeed, the Writings even describe an extraordinary visualisation of a sheet of paper descending from Heaven and gradually containing less and less truth in association with more and more evil by degrees till such a concept of charity became, for instance, its absence; or when such a concept as actually obeying a commandment, became for instance the situation in Malachi 2:17

Malachi 2:17 - King James Version (KJV) <17> Ye have wearied the Lord with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment?

Neighbours, the God of judgment is right here. He is with all of us in presence but only some of us in conjunction (Apocalypse revealed 889); the subset of us in conjunction with the Lord do something old-fashioned, something that is not nearly 'woke' enough: we obey our Father.

Our Everlasting Father, Jesus, has given us 100% clarity with regard to the legitimacy in His sight of heterosexual, monogamous marriages; to celibacy among some; and to polygamous marriages of one heterosexual male to multiple females, an option not permitted Christians but once permitted for instance Israelites as documented in the Bible and presently permitted for Muslims as documented in the Writings. Notice how the Creator of the Universe strangely forgot to mention having blessed homosexual marriages? Neighbours, God has never commanded anyone to engage in or in any way approve of homosexual acts, including in a monogamous relationship. The Lord of Heaven and Earth has spoken quite clearly on this subject. Mention has already been made of people who delight in the wickedness of others. It is said of the same people, that they are those

Proverbs 2:13 - King James Version (KJV) <13> Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;

If God has not commanded us to bless homosexual couples openly or in secret, we. do. not. do. it. At such a fork in the road, we do not "leave the paths of uprightness"; we do not "walk in the ways of darkness", which "darkness" of course refers to the falsities associated with their evil "walk"; which is of course to break a commandment of equal seriousness to any in the Decalogue, aka "the evil of the worst adultery" (Arcana Coelestia 2220) and "filthiness which is against the order of nature" (Arcana Coelestia 2322).

Now, one has already noted that people who condone homosexual acts delight in doing so; and because this delight is of the type referred to in the Writings as a "hellish delight", such a person will be visibly and extraordinarily obsessed about condoning homosexuality, as obsessed as a proud man is of looking at themselves in the mirror; or as obsessed as a chain smoker is with cigarettes. The people in our lives who support homosexual marriages and condone of active homosexuals in the Church actually enjoy perversion, and not only that, but a particular perversion: as we have seen, breaking the command in question.

Neighbours,

Isaiah 5:20 - King James Version (KJV) <20> Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

Neighbours, if you do not have knockout proof that God blesses a type of marriage arrangement, you do not engage in it; you do not condone engaging in that practice; and you do not teach people that it is okay to engage in and condone that practice.

Let me just make a brief image. Effectively, I see pro-homosexual straight people and homosexual couples getting onto a train, and they're all so happy and smiling and glad to be past 'intolerance', so they say. Well, all aboard. Then that train choochoos off and all those happy and smiling people disappear around the bend. Now, where did they go? Well, it seems to me that if you aren't 100% certain that they're going to a happy place, it would be rather unloving to just risk their eternal life on a supposition.

Did that train go to a happy place? or a very unhappy one? for people who do not take obeying commandments literally seriously, being so wrapped up in the spiritual meaning that they neglected the necessity of not living in "evils of life", as Swedenborg terms them.

Matthew 11:16-17 - King James Version (KJV) <16> But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, <17> And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.

Why, look there! When sinners against the express commandment of God "piped unto you" and were disappointed at your not dancing, this is exactly equivalent, spiritually speaking, to trying to get you to approve of or practice homosexuality; in other words, trying to get you personally to break one of the commandments of God.

Let us be clear here: such people are asking us to either practice wickedness or take pleasure in the wickedness of others.

If you hear someone actually hating on homosexuals, stay away from them --  but don't let anyone cow you if you are loving-but-warning, Christian! You are not hateful if you love and warn! And if you hear someone glorifying or supporting homosexual acts or marriage, stay away from them. Do not trust anything they say on the subject, recognise that they are addicted to glorifying the breakage of a commandment of our Creator and experience actual pleasure from this pursuit. 

Now, the New Church understands that the commandments of God have both a literal and spiritual signification. We have already spent a long time on the literal side, but relatively little time on the spiritual side to which it pertains by correspondence. We read in the Spiritual Diaries that "they who are in the highest degree of commanding out of the love of self, and not for the sake of uses, are in Sodom". Let's take this out of the spiritual world and locate it in the natural one: PC culture. Effectively, these (to borrow a word of George Orwell's) wielders of newspeak such as 'homophobia' delight in imposing their rules on society. That would be why someone would deliberately go to a Christian wedding cake baker and request a cake for two men, knowing full well that these Christians would refuse from religious conviction, and then turn around and sue them for not selling to them.

We have already seen God's description of "this generation". Note the way these "children sitting in the markets" criticise people who do not dance when they pipe, or who do not lament when they mourn! In other words, they expect you to praise what they praise and to criticise what they criticise. Friends, does that sound a little more like domination from the love of self to you now? 

It is a form of domination of others from the love of self to promote something that is useless to society and contrary to the word of God. Not for nothing is the tree of knowledge of good and evil representative of a man's trusting in his own intelligence! For it is precisely deciding what good is and what evil is, and presuming to disagree with the Creator, that people who promote homosexual marriage are doing; they are engaging in trust in their own intelligence in relation to matters of good and evil.

Neighbours, have you ever noticed how homosexuality in Leviticus 18 is grouped among a bunch of verses about incest, bestiality, various other disgusting practices, in general a bad crowd of companions? Yes, that is not an accident. Who in the world would write a chapter that contained entries on scorpions, sharks, piranhas, alligators, cockroaches, bedbugs, and... a rabbit?

It makes no sense to represent something noxious like "domination of others from love of self" with a rabbit; just as you do not represent the separation of faith and works with a rabbit but rather a dragon. You represent noxious spiritual things with noxious literal things. Let us be among those who may say, at the close of this testing life,

Jeremiah 15:17 - King James Version (KJV) <17> I sat not in the assembly of the mockers, nor rejoiced; I sat alone because of thy hand: for thou hast filled me with indignation.

Let us not sit among those mockers. And let us take a look at them!

Proverbs 14:9 - King James Version (KJV) <9> Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.

Why, look there. The mockery with which the Proverb is spiritually concerned is especially poopooing sin. We can only love the Lord by obeying His commandments, as if of ourselves but acknowledged as from the Lord, and not just spiritually but in our lives. Beware people who make it their mission in life to cause you to slip up for all eternity.

Deuteronomy 11:26-28 - King James Version (KJV) <26> Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; <27> A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you this day: <28> And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known.