I remember at a young age watching the original sci-fi television series, V: The Final Battle. The humanoid, lizard-like aliens used to terrify me when they revealed their truer natures in such ways as a scaly arm, forked tongue, or the classic reptilian eye. While these images were upsetting to me at the time, the story itself was not. I always favored the Resistance fighters and their desperate stand against the alien invaders, small in number though they were. Indeed, I have always loved heroic stories of resistance and the rise of great leaders during times of conflict, both historic and imagined. To be sure, there is something stimulative about a group of people rising up against corruption, control, and moral depravity - an act that encourages the contrarian within all of us to similarly stand firm against evil's damning thrust. Sadly, those presently occupying Wall Street are not real contrarians, but hired agitators who have chosen to replace neural executive functioning with that of lower activity. In such a degenerative state, they are as sheep, servile prey to the cunning serpents hiding behind the shadow of political office. And in their bleating cries and painted passions these 'occupiers' surrender their honor to be manipulated as tools rather than live as master carpenters. So apparent is the collective exchange of their first principles and values that one might well imagine them donning plastic ear tags like cattle known only by number rather than their given names. It is as saddening as it is likely.
As I've stated in earlier posts, evil cannot prosper while righteousness stirs and one need only open a true history book to read of those persons and nations who chose to stand firmly against invading armies and the iron rule of tyrants. Recall my older post, 732 A.D., which outlined the valiant efforts of Charles Martel and his saving heroics before a massive Muslim army at Europe's gate. In such reported cases of high valor we can find the inspiration and motivation to persist in our own defense of the truth and freedom at no matter the cost or odds placed against us. So how can we fortify ourselves against the siren songs of the wicked? What is our mandate from heaven as children of God? How shall we conduct ourselves during this mortal sojourn?
On the road to success there stands twenty-two signposts, or principles, running parallel with the Ten Commandments, that serve to remind us of our duty and responsibility to be virtuous and upright in all things. The former rules for personal, spiritual and national excellence were set forth long after Moses descended from Sinai though both codes promise our protection and the power to resist evil insofar as we heed them fully. These twenty-two principles were written in the sixteenth century by Desiderius Erasmus in his Enchridion Militis Christiani: A Guide for the Righteous Protector, which expectedly echo the words of Christ found in the holy scriptures. It is a well known fact that to experience victory, one must possess valor, and in order to sustain such strength of mind, under all circumstances, one must entertain and emit the highest saving attribute of the One who rose above all things - that of virtue or moral excellence. Without such moral clarity, we are as the blind Samson, mighty in strength but without poise and bearing. And in today's dimming world, the light of truth needs to shine as a beacon in rescue of all those feeling lost and hopeless in the darkness. Each rule listed below represents a single shaft of light lancing through today's dark clouds, a guide for those looking for a better life and the hopeful return of a once proud nation. Additionally, these principles, or rules for Christian conduct, are as true today as they were back in the 1500s. The following were extracted by Sergeant Chris Pascoe, Michigan State Police, and referenced in Lt. Col. Dave Grossman's book, On Combat: The Psychology and Physiology of Deadly Conflict in War and in Peace.
First rule
INCREASE YOUR FAITH.
Even if the entire world appears mad.
Second Rule
ACT UPON YOUR FAITH.
Even if you must undergo the loss of everything.
Third Rule
ANALYZE YOUR FEARS.
You will find that things are not as bad as they appear.
Fourth Rule
MAKE VIRTUE THE ONLY GOALS OF YOUR LIFE.
Dedicate all of your enthusiasm, all your effort, your leisure as well as your business.
Fifth Rule
TURN AWAY FROM MATERIAL THINGS.
If you are greatly concerned with money you will be weak of spirit.
Sixth Rule
TRAIN YOUR MIND TO DISTINGUISH GOOD AND EVIL.
Let your rule of government be determined by the common good.
Seventh Rule
NEVER LET ANY SETBACK STOP YOU IN YOUR QUEST.
We are not perfect - this only means we should try harder.
Eighth Rule
IF YOU HAVE FREQUENT TEMPTATIONS, DO NOT WORRY.
Begin to worry when you do not have temptation, because that is a sure sign that you cannot distinguish good from evil.
Ninth Rule
ALWAYS BE PREPARED FOR AN ATTACK.
Careful generals set guards even in times of peace.
Tenth Rule
SPIT, AS IT WERE, IN THE FACE OF DANGER.
Keep a stirring quotation with you for encouragement.
Eleventh Rule
THERE ARE TWO DANGERS: ONE IS GIVING UP, THE OTHER IS PRIDE.
After you have performed some worthy task, give all the credit to someone else.
Twelfth Rule
TURN YOUR WEAKNESS INTO VIRTUE.
If you are inclined to be selfish, make a deliberate effort to be giving.
Thirteenth Rule
TREAT EACH BATTLE AS THOUGH IT WERE YOUR LAST.
And you will finish, in the end, victorious!
Fourteenth Rule
DON'T ASSUME THAT DOING GOOD ALLOWS YOU TO KEEP A FEW VICES.
The enemy you ignore the most is the one who conquers you.
Fifteenth Rule
WEIGH YOUR ALTERNATIVES CAREFULLY.
The wrong way will often seem easier than the right way.
Sixteenth Rule
NEVER ADMIT DEFEAT EVEN IF YOU HAVE BEEN WOUNDED.
The good soldier's painful words spur him to gather his strength.
Seventeenth Rule
ALWAYS HAVE A PLAN OF ACTION.
So when the time comes for battle, you will know what to do.
Eighteenth Rule
CALM YOUR PASSIONS BY SEEING HOW LITTLE THERE IS TO GAIN.
We often worry and scheme about trifling matters of no real importance.
Nineteenth Rule
SPEAK WITH YOURSELF THIS WAY:
If I do what I am considering, would I want my family to know about it?
Twentieth Rule
VIRTUE HAS ITS OWN REWARD.
Once a person has it, they would not exchange it for anything.
Twenty-first Rule
LIFE CAN BE SAD, DIFFICULT, AND QUICK: MAKE IT COUNT FOR SOMETHING!
Since we do not know when death will come, act honorably everyday.
Twenty-second Rule
REPENT YOUR WRONGS.
Those who do not admit their faults have the most to fear.
As we engrave these guidelines on our hearts and in our minds and live up to them with exactness, we will come to know the same peace and strength Christ received during His Gethsemane, whereby we, like Him, may be counted worthy to receive our own ministering angel to come and strengthen us in victory to "become as yet, conquerors of their [our] enemies" (Jacob 7:25).
When we choose to live virtuous lives our focus sharpens and the very blood within us will heat and liven our souls so that we may stand firm and confident against all that is base and wrong. If we can abide the day, and stand up for ourselves and our convictions by making virtue our primary goal, then we are truly an unconquerable army and real masters of light. Meanwhile, the more basilar among us, those that lounge together in abject hatred for God, liberty, and the free market system will not be able to endure for long. In truth, their forked natures are of the same kin as the deceptive 'Visitors' from V - cold-blooded, humanoid impostors seemingly dressed as sheep but beneath are of the same ignoble order and genus only the vigilant can recognize as that of reptile.
Long live the fighters
