The past few months I’ve noticed two websites posting on Face Book with quirky names. I’ve looked at the sites once and thought their messages had overstepped the boundaries of decency and just scrolled on by.
Until a week ago.
On that day one of these sites displayed a very questionable caricature of the president’s wife. I disagreed with their disrespectful display of America’s first lady, no matter who she is. To me this post tested the boundaries of slander. And I responded with a short, but civil, rebuke.
The responses? Hateful dialogue. Supposedly from Christians.
During the passing of the Texas abortion bill, we ran into the same hate filled comments—from both sides. And I’m sure many of you have suffered vengeful replies to many of your comments on social media. Perhaps even among friends and church members.
So where do we draw the line in the sand? Where do we overstep our boundaries, with comments, replies, and commentary?
When things are unjust and it seems evil has the upper hand, does that give a Christian the right to slander those who have chosen unrighteousness rather than righteousness?
What liberties and boundaries does a Christian have in expressing their disagreement with lawlessness and iniquity, within and without their party of preference?
Where does truth end and slander begin?
How can a Christian speak the truth in these dismal times, yet still glorify Christ?
Each morning we wake up to greater chaos. In our families, in our nation, and in the world. The rumble of discord beats a steady rhythm that is growing louder every day. Jesus told us that His ascension ushered in the last days. And that was two thousand years ago.
I believe most of us would agree we were instructed in Matthew to be familiar with and recognize the signs that would herald the end of this age. And from my understanding of scripture, we are close. When? I don’t know, but I want to be ready. How about you?
Our nation is in dire trouble: spiritually, morally, financially, constitutionally, militarily. But we are given example, after example throughout the pages of God’s Word, what happens when a nation rebels against God and rejects His Only Son, The Lord Jesus Christ.
And we wonder why we’re in the mess we’re in?
Yet we expect a different outcome when it’s Americans who have thumbed their collective noses at God and walked after their own understanding. As we say in Texas, “There just ain’t no cure for stupid.”
Most of us stand guilty of vomiting opinions, solutions—words, words, words—on anyone who will listen, but we must turn to scripture for the final word concerning our behavior in these last days.
Mark 3:24 says:
“If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.”
God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Whether you believe it or not, rebellion and continued disobedience must be judged.
In the Book of Matthew Jesus said:
“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle (careless) word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:33-37 NKJ, parenthesis inserted from NAS).
Every idle word? Yikes! My list of worthless words I’m sure could drain the ink well dry. Jesus said my words will either justify me or condemn me.
My husband always replies to any questioning about his comments, “Well, I’ll just shut-up. Shouldn’t have opened my mouth in the first place.” Sometimes that’s not a bad idea, if we could. The idle words leap off our tongues and the good words, well, so often we’re too afraid to speak them. Afraid what others will think of us. But did Christ commanded us to shut up?
In Acts 26:25, Paul says:
“But he said, ‘I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason. For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner.’”
Paul appeared before this Roman ruler and spoke the truth about every matter going on in the Roman empire. And he gave testimony to the reality of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I’m sure Paul didn’t slander the Roman government, nor any of the Roman officials. He spoke the truth about Jesus and the sovereign God of the Universe. Paul had seen Jesus. He knew his assignment and the permanent consequences if he failed..
Speaking to the church Paul said in I Corinthians 2:7-8, and 14:
“…but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom, which God predestined before the ages to our glory; the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory;…But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised .”
Paul spoke the things God taught him from the Old Testament and from personal revelation from the Lord Jesus Christ and The Spirit. He spoke to all men with an attitude of respect. But he did not dilute the truth of the Word of God. And he paid for his courage and boldness to speak truth with his life. In light of seeing Jesus, Paul could do nothing less. Am I willing to give my life for God’s Truth? Are you?
The Book of James tells us, in Chapter 1, verse 19:
“This you know, my beloved brethren. But let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.”
James does not tell us to be silent. He instructs us to listen. Hear. Get all the information and then speak. Slowly, without anger.
And finally in Ephesians 4:14-15, 25, 29-32 NKJ:
“…that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ.”
“Therefore, putting away lying, ‘Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,’ for we are members of one another…let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”
Is this easy to do? No. It’s impossible without the Holy Spirit’s abiding, teaching, leading, guiding. And slapping His hand over my mouth. Often.
Are the things we see developing unsettling? Upsetting? Yes.
Are they worse than they’ve ever been? No. Not yet.
But the Lord has told us what’s coming, how we are to overcome each difficult day, and He has told us these final days are numbered.
And, as the song says, “It will be worth it all when we see Jesus.”
But what about ‘til then, how are we to act and react?
Our hope is through the power of the Word of God, the power of the Holy Spirit, and the finished work our Lord Jesus has provided for us. Is enough of God’s Word stored in the memory bank of your mind and heart to provide the armor you will need in the days to come? Have you tuned your ear to the world’s chaos or is your ear tuned to hear the gentle voice of His Holy Spirit? The voice that tells you “this is the way, walk in it.”
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand, stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:10-18 NKJ).
In these last days, we are to educate ourselves in the Word of God. We are to be ready to give a reason to all who ask why we believe. We are to stand firm in the truth of God’s Word, pray without ceasing, and occupy ‘til Jesus returns.
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