Cultural Application

(Pro 6:17 KJV)  A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

We often overlook the effect that the Bible can have on our world if we take it seriously.  I was talking to someone recently about Vietnam and we remembered the war.  My friend is into fighter pilots and had talked to many who had been taken prisoner and tortured for years.  In spite of that we are now looking at Vietnam as an ally.  At first I was a bit on edge about that.  I had served in Vietnam too.  Then I remembered how we had treated Germany and Japan after World War II.  We tend to forgive and build up those we defeat.  That is not part of the history of the world.  It is a heritage of our attitude toward the application of power.

This is touching on the idea of forgiveness and not taking our pain out on a defeated population.  It is one of the elements of limited war that has been practiced in modern times, at least by Christian countries.

So?  Every area of life is influenced by the word.  In order to apply it, you need to know it.  To know it you need to read it.