Blogging through STTNG: The Last Outpost

The first confrontation the Federation has with the Ferengi quickly becomes a struggle with an unknown force that threatens both ships. Will they work together to overcome an even more mysterious enemy than either one is to each other?

Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. Matthew 10:26

The Unknown: one of the scariest things many can think of. I'm scared of the unknown. In this episode we find out that everyone on the Enterprise is scared too, as well as everyone on board the Ferengi ship. And fear makes us do some crazy things.

The first scary thing for the Enterprise is the Ferengi themselves. The two races have never met before and the distant familiarity has bred some wild rumors about how disgusting the other people are. We're not OK with not knowing something, so we make up information to fill in the gaps. Picard tries to help everyone think clearly about the rumors they've heard and insists of proceeding with common respect for their fellow beings in the other ship. This is a frustrating stance, and Picard has to do a couple face palms as the Ferengi refuse diplomacy, but it's the right thing to do. Even when it appears that the Enterprise having it's power drained (they don't know it's the planet yet) Picard does not follow Warf's advice to fight.

But we quickly find out that the Ferengi are just as scared of the humans as the humans are of them. The Ferengi handle their fear by doing their best to run and hide when faced with a more powerful opponent. They also try to use fear to intimidate. They only see diplomacy as a weakness even when it's their only option as their power is being drained as well.

And everyone gets scared when they discover that they're trapped by a force on the planet instead of the other ship. The Ferengi never try to overcome their fear. They meet the Enterprise's away team with violence in mind. How often do we attack a brother when a situation that threatens us both presents itself? I'm guilty. I do it with my kids all the time. I've got a wife who's chronically ill and when that gets overwhelming, I yell at my kids. Does that make any sense? How does attacking them help me overcome this other situation that's confusing to me? God of light, help me trust you! It's fear that drives behavior like that.

So how should we respond to fear? Especially of the unknown. We have a good example here in what Picard and Riker did with persistent diplomacy and defense. But they were still relying on their education and patience. Where does God come into the picture?

God tells us in Matthew 10:26-28 not to fear other people. Can you believe this is a command? His reasons are great: His kingdom is real and we will be saved (Matt 10:22) & men can only kill your body (Matt 10:28). So is it a sin to be scared of someone else?

In Matthew 10:16-18 Jesus tells his followers to beware of men. This may be a fine line, but we're instructed to follow it. Men deserve respect and caution because they have the image of God in them. They are free agents and can potentially do anything.

In this cautionary instruction we also find that God has the right to command our emotions! Why does God command us to do something we cannot do? Give us the 10 commandments right? There's a set of instructions I can follow (yeah right!). But we think that, don't we? I think Jesus here is pushing beyond any form of external obedience to our inner landscape to prove that we cannot measure up and that we need Him. We have to call on the name of Jesus to live a fearless life. Ungodly fear is worry and we need to confess it before God and our sibs in Christ.

So what drives out fear so that we can stop sinning in this area? The Fear of God. 1 Peter 3:13-16 talks about this. Ungodly fear is an idol in our heart. It harmonizes well with the big three: money, power, and fame. As we move through the world and meet one confusing scary thing after another, let us continually invite the Lord back on the throne of our heart!

  Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 1 Peter 3:13-16

  "Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.
  "So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." Matthew 10:16-31

Blogging Through STTNG: Code of Honor

Yar becomes the prize to the winner of a diplomacy and patience contest between Picard and a planet chief named Lutan.

The Prime Directive is really the star of this episode. It's all about how the crew deals with having to respect a threatening culture they don't understand. Everyone realizes that there is a way to solve the problem with patience, eventually. It would only be destructive to force Lutan to give them what they want. In the end it pays off to obey the dictates of their duty.

How hard it is to do this! Especially when someone has done something wrong and we want to 'make it right again.' I know I spend way too much mental energy on phantom off-tellings in my head, or even wishing violence towards someone who has threatened me. But two wrongs don't make a right.
In this episode you get to see the crew manage their anger and confusion and fear. They have to take the time to thoroughly understand their situation and build a plan that honors their enemy. How can we be expected to honor our enemy?! Isn't this asking too much?

Think about this: is it OK to put down the Devil? I think some Christians feel like doing that gives them strength, or maybe helps them get over their fear of demons or something.  Shouldn't we be getting our strength and peace from the all powerful God of Peace? What does the Scripture say about putting down the Devil? Check out Jude. In verse 8 we are given the example of Michael the archangel who, when given the chance, DOES NOT even judge, let alone put down, the Devil. Michael calls on the Lord. We are to appeal to our Creator and His order when faced with evil.

Also, does it make any sense to get over fear or draw strength from someone else's weakness? Yes, the Devil's days are numbered, but we're still not allowed to defame him or his agents, let alone those under their wicked control. With the power of the Holy Spirit (what other power could accomplish this?) we can acknowledge our enemy like Michael did and talk about our Lord.

Yet in the same way these men [sinners], also by dreaming, defile the flesh, and reject authority, and revile angelic majesties. But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil[false accuser] and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!" - Jud 1:8-9 NASB