Tread lightly on the things of earth

Many approve of the U.S. Bush administration on faith, keying off its skill in using religious words and phrases. This is glowingly illustrated in this Washington Post story.

But use of religious vocabulary is not a useful measure of anyone's spiritual condition. The Pharisees of Jesus' day were masters of religious vocabulary. And of them Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven."

Instead, we're given a truer measure:
"By their fruit you will recognize them" (Matt 7:16, context).

Close your eyes; look deeply into the spiritual condition of the U.S. administration. What do you see? By what fruit may we recognize them?

Is there fruit of Spirit-led lives as enumerated by Paul -- "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control"? (Gal 5:22, context)

Or is there a different kind of fruit altogether? I see the U.S. administration saying "Lord, Lord" yet --

• stirring up hatred of enemy
• provoking fear among its citizens
• pressing hard for war against global counsel
• showing no mercy in its intent to annihilate Iraqi civilians
• showing no lasting commitment to rebuild lands and peoples it has destroyed
• intending to dominate and rule captured lands and oil fields
• obsessing over secrecy
• intending to silence voices of opposition
• willing to plunder nature for monetary gain
• willing to bankrupt the future to profit in the present

By this fruit I recognize them.

Be careful that you are not led astray.