As I read the latest in the on-going Israeli/Palestinian dispute, I couldn't help but see a parallel to our own doctrinal disputes. But, first, let's take a look at what's going on in the Middle East.

According to this report Read about it here, the Sharon Administration is ready to implement a complete pull-out of Israeli forces from Gaza. The only thing standing in the way is if the Palestinian people are willing to give up acts of violence long enough to let it happen.

Can you see the irony? The Palestinian people claim the reason for their violence is the Israeli occupation. Nevertheless, the Palestinians may be unwilling to give up the violence long enough to allow Israel to end the occupation.

So, what's really going on here? I think, as is common to the human condition, the real issue behind the Israeli/Palestinian conflict is sin. And, according to the Bible, sin always has a hidden agenda.

Our own search for truth can be seen in the same light. For example, have you ever attempted to reason with an unreasonable person? If so, you realize it is a complete waste of your time. Not only that, it may even be dangerous. Jesus once warned His disciples:

Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces (Matthew 7:6 New American Standard Bible).

You see, it wasn't until I began this Internet ministry that I came to fully appreciate Jesus' words. In my case, the situation that Jesus warned about will usually begin with what appears to be an honest seeker of truth having a sincere question. It will end a short time later with my answer being thrown back at me in some twisted new fashion.

How do we explain these type of unreasonable responses? The biblical answer is sin. And, sin has a hidden agenda. Sometimes, the sin is simple jealousy. In the book of Acts we read:

The next Sabbath nearly the whole city assembled to hear the word of the Lord. But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began contradicting the things spoken by Paul, and were blaspheming [reviling] (Acts 13:44-45). 

Friends, as the day of our Lord draws near, we should brace ourselves to face these sudden, unreasonable attacks. The Bible predicts, in the end-times, many from our own midst will rise up to become our enemies. Why? Because, sin has a hidden agenda. 

And, truth brings it into the open