Humans and our institutions generally get worse over time. Governments replace earlier governments and are, in turn, replaced. Now, we see a Europe, modern and developing, collapsing.
We can watch the decline. In America, faith and morals decay as fast as the dollar is devalued. Government expands. That, in itself, is not so bad, But, as it expands, many of the people and agencies work to make things worse to justify more funding. Soon, we find that there are agencies by which every good is attacked.
There is no reason to be surprised. Things were perfect in Eden. The devil attacked with temptations. When she was tempted, Eve gave in, and got Adam to do so, as well.
We know, from Eden, that the devil does not like perfection. We can understand him better if we realize that he hates the way things are because they are not as bad as they can be.
It is an historical constant. Satan and his followers attack and destroy every human and every human institution. It’s what they do. Whether spiritually, morally, intellectually, physically, and economically, very good is attacked. People, beliefs, families, governments, and organizations are undermined until they collapse.
Within a family, each person is tempted to do what is wrong. Within societies, every person in every segment is tempted to take advantage of their neighbors.
The only thing on earth that doesn’t collapse is the Body of Christ. His Church, the Bride of Christ, still stands, despite moral, intellectual, and physical attacks from within and without.
When we realize that every good is attacked, we understand that the devil is behind those attacks. If we are attacked, it is because we are a part of some good that he and his agents despise. It is an honor to be so assaulted. And, it is not impossible to resist.