Dear Daisy,
I, along with all Americans who have grown up in the United States, have been taught since kindergarten years, to pledge allegiance to the American flag every morning at school. Now that I’m an adult and have been studying my Holy Bible, God is teaching me truths I’ve never been taught. One of the things He is currently having me question is where my allegiance is focused. Suddenly I’m wondering, why was so much focus placed on pledging allegiance to the flag, and not God? Is there scripture to help in this area? ~ Signed, where should our allegiance be placed?
Dear where should our allegiance be placed?
This is a great question and I believe falls in the category of “unlearning the lies” we’ve been taught in our life. Let’s dig deeper and see what we can find in God’s Holy Word to see where He wants our allegiance focused.
Saluting the flag
As we know, every country and nation has their own flag to represent them to stand apart from the rest. To learn the history of the American flag you can find all you want to know in books and online, so we will focus on the allegiance aspect in this blog.
In America, we have always been taught to salute the flag, to pledge allegiance to it, never allow it to touch the ground; to understand that it is to be respected as a symbol of our freedom in America and to honor the lives lost while fighting for our freedom. If a US flag becomes tattered or touches the ground, it is supposed to be burned in a specific flag burning ceremony to honor it properly in its destruction because of what it represents: freedom and loss of life to get it. The flag even has to be folded a certain way. That’s why it has been considered such a sacrilege to be burned and stomped on by those who hate America.
The National Anthem works in tandem with the mandated allegiance to the American flag. It has been ingrained in our minds to pledge our allegiance to our flag and country, so much so, that when someone shows disrespect to either and does not participate, they are mercilessly condemned and criticized. Who created these rules, why did they create them, and why were we taught we had to follow them? Why was pledging allegiance to the flag made a priority over serving our Creator, God, and following His commands for us?
As Christians, and “good people,” we have always obeyed and done what we were taught to do. For the most part, we haven’t questioned, we’ve complied. Well, that trend has been changing over the last 20 plus years. People have begun to question; why do we do the things we do? Because we were taught to do them. Which raises more questions like: who taught them? Then, who taught them? And so on, all the way back in history.
Today, in 2024, we are living in a time when we are visibly noticing that God has been separating the wheat from the tares (Matthew 13:24-30) [separating His followers from the non-followers]. Because of this spiritual separation of God’s people, these types of questions are arising with His wholehearted followers. It seems that God is helping His willing followers unlearn the lies and start questioning why they were taught particular things. God is showing them His truth to seek out, and emboldening them as a follower of Jesus, to be strong in the Lord and stop doing the things that don’t point us to Him. In this case, He is asking us: where is our allegiance? Has it been misplaced? Has it been misdirected? Is it in things of this world? Is it in people of this world? Or is it in our Creator and things eternal?
We have been lead astray by our shepherds [our pastors] who have been teaching us to pledge our allegiance to anything other than our Savior and Messiah, Jesus Christ. It’s time to question where your allegiance is, and where it should be. If it doesn’t point you to Jesus, it’s time to stop and repent, and turn back to Him.
“My people hath been lost sheep:
their shepherds have caused them to go astray,
they have turned them away on the mountains:
they have gone from mountain to hill,
they have forgotten their resting place.”
Jeremiah 50:6
Following the herd
Why are we more focused on a flag than on our Creator? To be clear, I am not disrespecting our flag, freedom, our country, and especially not the lives lost, or those who have served our country. In fact, there are many veterans in my family. None that lost their life in duty, but they served for our freedom that Americans have enjoyed over the years.
What I’m trying to point out in this inquiry to Dear Daisy, and to the readers, is to stop, take a step back, and look at what you are pledging your allegiance to. Where is your heart directed?
As a child, I was just doing as I was taught and told to do as I saluted the flag and recited the pledge, not really realizing what I was doing. As a young adult, I didn’t give it much thought, it was just what we’ve always been told to do and show respect. Before becoming a widow, I was married to a veteran, and have a son who served; it was during that time that my attention was called back towards focusing on our freedom and the benefits of living in America versus other countries. My husband always made sure we had an American flag flying, and flag stickers on the car and mailbox. Now, as someone who chooses to have a close personal relationship with my Creator, my Savior, and the Holy Spirit, I see things in a whole new light. I’m now questioning why I do the things I was taught to do.
Because I have chosen to willingly have a personal and deeper relationship with Jesus, He is teaching me truth and helping me to unlearn the lies I’ve been taught. I now question: why do I believe what I believe? I now take every question to God and ask Him to show me what is His truth and what are the lies I’ve been taught. I want to make sure that everything I do points to Him. If it points away from Him, I’m not doing it anymore, regardless of traditions.
One of the glaring examples that God has shown me in this revelation knowledge in learning more about where our allegiance has been misplaced was in a major production that happened last year. I believe that one of the reasons God compelled me to record and watch parts of the King’s Coronation ceremony in England was for this very lesson of allegiance awareness. God showed me many things while viewing the video; like, the pomp and circumstance of the ceremony as compared to the acknowledgement day of Jesus, the One True Eternal King while He was on earth in fleshly form. God highlighted things like how the soon to be crowned king of England came in an ornate golden carriage with a parade of soldiers and horses before him and behind, the robe, the crown, the royal chair, people kneeling before him and kissing his scepter, the elaborate ceremony process, etc.
Our King Jesus came in on a donkey as a poor homeless man.
There were also many religions represented in the king’s ceremony that day and as each leader got the opportunity to pray to their god, everyone in attendance bowed their heads as if they were all praying to the same god! It was like watching a lost herd of sheep being lead to the slaughter and didn’t know it; they were just following the crowd.
The one thing that really struck me the most: the pledge of allegiance that was spoken over the king by everyone in attendance, and the viewers were asked to participate as well. You could find the pledge online to read. I found that I was mesmerized by how everyone was given a card to read verbatim. Each person was expected to pledge their allegiance to this man. The cameras panned the crowd and everyone was reciting it. There were many famous people from America in attendance reciting this allegiance pledge to the British King! Why? Because everyone else was doing it?
I recently viewed “after-clips” of a political convention where there were spiritual figures from a variety of religions each getting a turn to speak and pray to their god. The cameras panned the crowd and you could see that good people – conservative Christians had their heads bowed during the prayers to these various gods. Why? Because everyone else was doing it?
Sheep being lead to the slaughter, going with the herd, following blindly along with the crowd. It’s not okay to follow the crowd; follow Jesus only!
“And I will bring distress upon men,
that they shall walk like blind men,
because they have sinned against the LORD:
and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung.”
Zephaniah 1:17
It’s tradition
Beware of the traditions of men, they will lead you away from Jesus. It is written in scripture repeatedly to warn us that there will be many that will try to lead you astray. During Jesus’ ministry on earth, the Pharisees hated Him because they had created their own version of God’s truths and what their Messiah would look and be like. Jesus was challenging their system and their plan to rule the people. The Pharisee mindset and plan is still in play today trying to deceive and lead you away from Jesus through the traditions of man.
Dictionary definition of tradition:
Tradition = “The passing down of elements of a culture from generation to generation, especially by oral communication.”
Holy Bible truth about tradition:
“But in vain they do worship me,
teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”
Matthew 15:9
“6 He answered and said unto them,
Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites,
as it is written,
This people honoureth me with their lips,
but their heart is far from me.
7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me,
teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
8 For laying aside the commandment of God,
ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups:
and many other such like things ye do.
9 And he said unto them,
Full well ye reject the commandment of God,
that ye may keep your own tradition.”
Mark 7:6-9
“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”
John 17:17
“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit,
after the tradition of men,
after the rudiments of the world,
and not after Christ.”
Colossians 2:8
“18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book,
If any man shall add unto these things,
God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy,
God shall take away his part out of the book of life,
and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”
Revelation 22:18-19
Only the truth and tradition of our Creator will lead you to eternal hope and peace with Jesus. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, is the only way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to our Father and Creator except through a personal relationship with Jesus and following His traditions that He teaches in His Holy Word (John 14:6).
“10 Who is among you that feareth the LORD,
that obeyeth the voice of his servant,
that walketh in darkness, and hath no light?
let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.
11 Behold, all ye that kindle a fire,
that compass yourselves about with sparks:
walk in the light of your fire,
and in the sparks that ye have kindled.
This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow.”
Isaiah 50:10-11
Have you sold your soul?
Have you knowingly or unknowingly sold your soul to fit in with the crowd, or worse, to be successful and rich in this world? I can remember a time not so long ago when if this question was asked people would think you were crazy for asking. Now we live in a day and time when people brag about the fact that they have sold their soul to the devil for any number of worldly reasons. There are many who are reveling in their worldly success and riches because of this sacrifice of their soul to the devil. Then there are those who soon regretted their choice to turn from God in such a flagrant way, and have reacted in various ways to their shame and guilt.
God tells us clearly that this will take place, and what He thinks about it. There is a whole list of curses that God breaks down for us in His Holy Word so that we would be warned and hopefully prevent us from taking that path (Deuteronomy 28). Sadly, most have been lied to and deceived to not see and know God’s truth and promises.
“But it shall come to pass,
if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God,
to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day;
that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:”
Deuteronomy 28:15
(Read full chapter)
“There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked.”
Isaiah 48:22
“Thus saith the LORD,
Where is the bill of your mother’s divorcement, whom I have put away?
or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you?
Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves,
and for your transgressions is your mother put away.”
Isaiah 50:1
“For thus saith the LORD,
Ye have sold yourselves for nought;
and ye shall be redeemed without money.”
Isaiah 52:3
“12 The time is come,
the day draweth near:
let not the buyer rejoice, nor the seller mourn:
for wrath is upon all the multitude thereof.
13 For the seller shall not return to that which is sold,
although they were yet alive:
for the vision is touching the whole multitude thereof,
which shall not return;
neither shall any strengthen himself in the iniquity of his life.”
Ezekiel 7:12-13
Don’t follow the crowd
In God’s Holy Word He tells us repeatedly not to conform to the world. He is very clear on the specifics of what will happen when we do. There are severe consequences for disobeying God. He doesn’t tell us these things to be a tyrant or dictator, He tells us these things for our good. He loves us and wants to protect us. He has big plans for us, not to harm us but to care for us. He spelled out the blessings we would receive for obeying Him, but there are naturally curses for disobeying Him (Deuteronomy 28). He spelled them out so that we would have clear expectations for our choices to offer us a future and His hope.
“1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,
that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God,
which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world:
but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind,
that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Romans 12:1-2
“1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud,
blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent,
fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures
more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness,
but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”
2Timothy 3:1-5
“1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not.
And if any man sin,
we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only,
but also for the sins of the whole world.
3 And hereby we do know that we know him,
if we keep his commandments.
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments,
is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5 But whoso keepeth his word,
in him verily is the love of God perfected:
hereby know we that we are in him.
6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk,
even as he walked.”
1John 2:16
Do Not Love the World
“15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.
If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world,
the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes,
and the pride of life,
is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof:
but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”
1John 2:15-17
Warning Concerning Antichrists
Against worshipping people and leaders in this world.
Notice how he calls us little children,
referring to those who have child-like faith to believe
in the promises of Jesus.
“18 Little children, it is the last time:
and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come,
even now are there many antichrists;
whereby we know that it is the last time.
19 They went out from us, but they were not of us;
for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us:
but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth,
but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ?
He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
23 Whosoever denieth the Son,
the same hath not the Father:
(but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
24 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning.
If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you,
ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.
25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.
27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you,
and ye need not that any man teach you:
but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie,
and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.”
1John 2:18-27
To the Children of God
“28 And now, little children, abide in him;
that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence,
and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
29 If ye know that he is righteous,
ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.”
1John 2:28-29
Heart check time
Jesus is coming back soon to get His Bride. Let’s make sure your heart is right with Him. Don’t complicate the process for salvation. Keep it simple. Whether you have prayed this before, rededicate your life today and go “all in” with Him. It’s time for a deeper relationship with your Creator, Adonai.
Do the ABC’s and repent today.
- A: Admit that you are a sinner. (Romans 3:23, Isaiah 64:6, Ephesians 2:8-9)
- B: Believe in your heart that Jesus is the son of God and that He died for your sins and rose from the dead for you. (John 3:16-18, 1Corinthians 15:1-4)
- C: Call on Jesus and repent of your sins and turn back to Him and ask Jesus to show you the way. (Romans 10:9-13, John 14:6)
In closing,
Always ask Jesus what you should do in every situation. The Holy Spirit will lead you and guide you. If it’s not okay with Him, He will check your spirit and you will have an uneasy feeling and doubt about going forward. Always follow Jesus; NOT your heart; our hearts are fickle and can’t be trusted. Listen to the Holy Spirit; He is trying to protect you. You have a choice to obey or ignore. Choose to obey and stay under His protection.
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick;
who can understand it?”
Jeremiah 17:9
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.“
Proverbs 3:5
“When you know you grow!”