“The Way You Do the Things You Do”
By: Reverend Dr. Robert M. Spooney
In 1963 The Temptations recorded a song entitled, “The Way You Do The Things You Do”. It was a song that expressed a deep admiration and attraction towards someone, highlighting their actions, essentially saying that their very mannerisms were alluring and irresistible; it’s a love song which praised the special qualities of the person being addressed. The title of that song actually came to my mind recently when I read that Elon Musk, the world’s wealthiest person and apparently the money behind president-elect Donald Trump and his money, has been on the social media platforms he owns trying to do what he did in America.
In other words, he’s been trying to duplicate in Europe the influence he has on American politics by supporting far-right candidates in some of the countries in Europe. “The Way You Do The Things You Do!” Now, I know I’m just a Baptist preacher, however, I have enough common sense to realize that Elon Musk’s message has always been divisive and disruptive. The chancellor of Germany criticized Musk and stated the following, “The normal people, the sensible people, the decent people are far in the majority in this country.” He went on to say, “We act as if Musk’s statements could influence a country of 84 million with untruths or half-truths or expressions of opinion, that simply is not the case.” What I find amazing is that even though the majority of people in America are normal and sensible and decent, many of them were influenced and ended up voting for the candidate supported by Musk and his money. In other words, if a country of 300 million people could be influenced, a country of 84 million could be influenced as well. The fact that Musk has continued to stick his nose into other countries’ business shows that he has perhaps some goals to influence or rule the world.
Recently, on his social media platform X, he solicited responses to a poll asking whether America should liberate the people of Britain from their tyrannical government. That is outlandish and insane. He is also promoting a secure private internet service deal between SpaceX and the Italian government which could be the foundations for a worldwide private internet Network. I don’t care what anyone says it appears to me there are some underlying objectives of this guy who is adamant about being involved in the various politics of countries throughout the world.
The word of God states in 1st Peter 5:8, “8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” Although this verse is not directed to the world at large, it is a verse that warns us of a mortal enemy. Peter tells us who our enemy is — the Devil. The word vigilant carries the idea to watch and stay awake. Secular Greek used this term as a military term in the sense of standing guard and vigilant in a military situation. Like a soldier on patrol when there are no front lines we should pay attention because the enemy could come from anywhere. In this verse, “Devil” is not a proper name but a functional title which means adversary. The idea “adversary” means an opponent in a lawsuit. The phrase “walks about like a roaring lion” simply stated means that the adversary walks around and his goal or course of life is to destroy the dynamics of anything good by using an extremely powerful roar or voice. The lion uses his roar to frighten his game. By his roar, he immobilizes his victims. His roar is a weapon. What the devil cannot accomplish through allurement, he tries to achieve through dread. Here’s my point, the devil desires to swallow his prey whole. He is interested in their total destruction. He wants to dominate them. 2nd Corinthians 2:11 says, “Lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.” I’m not ignorant, are you? We need to be aware, I hope you’re listening!
