Satan’s most destructive strategies often thrive within Christianity itself. For those seeking to resist deception, modern Christianity must be examined as a potential enabler of societal decay. While political corruption plays a significant role, it cannot prevail without the complicity of a compromised Church. The root of Zimbabwe’s struggles lies not merely in governance but in the spiritual decline of Christianity.
Many Christians overlook the gravity of Exodus 20:3-6, where God explicitly forbids idolatry—placing anything above His supreme holiness. As Creator, God alone is worthy of worship. Scriptures show that Israel’s historical failures stemmed from idolatry, and the same peril confronts Zimbabwe today.
Idolatry manifests in many forms—whether wealth, talent, political loyalty, or even religion itself. When anything—be it a political or Christian leader, a nation, or a personal passion—usurps God’s place in the heart, it becomes an idol. Zimbabwe’s crisis is, at its core, a crisis of idolatrous worship.
The list is inexhaustible when imagining what constitutes idolatry in individual behaviour. Two contrasting practices in worship—one true and the other false—contribute to the existing challenges facing Zimbabwe:
- “Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night, they never stop saying: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.” (Revelation 4:8 NIV)
This form of worship is entirely God-focused, emphasising His holiness and avoiding self-gratification. It refrains from judging those deemed unacceptable. Centred on Christ, it steers clear of self-praise or the glorification of anything other than God. Contrast this viewpoint with those shaped according to the accuser of the brethren:
- “Now has come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down” (Revelation 12:10 NIV).
This implies condemning wrongdoers with religious fervour while failing to guide them away from their sins. Such conduct overlooks the example set by Jesus, who bore humanity’s sins on the cross. These individuals seldom reflect on the mindset of Jesus, who endured the cross and carried the immense burden of humanity’s sins, but why?
He instructed His disciples to pray, “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). During His most profound confrontation with the evils of this world, He prayed three times, “If it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will” (Matthew 26:39-44). Through this, Jesus exemplified the vital importance of remaining steadfastly focused on God, even in the face of the most excruciating trials.
A central theme in these two references emphasises day and night activities, each distinctly characterised, yet both seemingly serving the purpose of worshipping God. The first passage portrays genuine worship, while the second illustrates false worship. The actions of Jesus on the cross stand in stark contrast to those who persistently accuse wrongdoers in this world.
John 8:4-11 reveals false worship as portrayed in Revelation 12:10. Those accusers were correct in demanding her execution by stoning as mandated by the Law of Moses (Leviticus 20:10). From a legal standpoint, their actions seemed beyond reproach.
However, her accusers represented the false worship in Revelation 12:10. They assumed themselves superior, yet nothing could be further from the truth. After her accusers departed, she stood before Jesus, visibly uncertain about her future path. Freed from the penalty, she had no choice but to revere Jesus in profound gratitude, thereby exemplifying the true worship described in Revelation 4:8.
A comparable example is the tax collector contrasted with the Pharisee (Luke 18:9-14). The tax collector is portrayed as a sincere worshiper, while the Pharisee embodies false piety. This Pharisaic disposition continues to sustain the ongoing challenges in Zimbabwe.
On one hand, some Christians attribute Zimbabwe’s challenges to ZANU PF, while others place the blame on the opposition, further exacerbating the polarisation in Zimbabwean politics. Both perspectives are fundamentally flawed. True Christians are called to take full responsibility by exemplifying righteousness (Matthew 5:14). The Christian crisis endures as long as insincere worshipers persist in engaging in a relentless blame game.
True worship requires assuming full responsibility to foster genuine transformation. Unfortunately, Christianity has become entangled with the veneration of political and religious figures rather than sincere devotion to God. One group is criticised for affiliating with a seemingly unsuitable political party, while the other faces similar reproach for supporting an opposing faction.
The pervasive culture of blame has plunged the nation into its present challenges, with few assuming accountability for persistent issues. While some attribute the problems to ZANU PF, others hold the CCC responsible. Furthermore, the increasing influence of prominent religious leaders has redirected worship, focusing it on individuals rather than God.
While political leaders must be held accountable, the electorate also bears responsibility for the emergence of unqualified leadership. In Zimbabwe, voting patterns are often influenced by misplaced reverence, frequently articulated through thematic scriptural references. Hostility toward certain political factions is frequently driven by religious motivations, leading individuals to vote based on animosity rather than genuine conviction.
A true worshiper undergoes a profound transformation, comparable to a form of death, much like the adulterous woman who could not fathom being spared from her fate. For those who have genuinely experienced the worship of God, worldly values lose their significance in upholding personal dignity. In this state, self-centeredness dissipates, and the inclination to assign blame to others for environmental wrongs diminishes.
The central question becomes: “What can I contribute to others,” rather than asking, “What can others do for me?” Zimbabwe is currently overwhelmed, suffocated by the pervasive forces of self-centeredness. Political leaders will ultimately be accountable to God, but Christians must first take responsibility for their compromised worship. Revival begins when the Church stops assigning blame and starts interceding, replacing partisan fervour with a focus on the divine. Addressing the evils in society must commence with self-examination.
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilisation, laying down standards for uplifting Zimbabwe from the current state of economic depression into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, bringing relief to those who have witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions, leading to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book as a long-awaited providential oasis of hope, in a simple conversational tone.
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