I have read books by Christian authors throughout the years that have helped me, books that have hurt me, commentaries on Scripture that have misled me, and commentaries that have helped me. Writers often seek to help, teach, and train others in how they “should” live. I believe most have pure motives. I must admit it’s the word “should” that triggers me.
This past week I have witnessed a “who is right” war on social media between a couple of “well respected Christian leaders/writers” with large followings. The sad thing I noticed is that both leaders carry hearts that actually want to help people, yet in defense of their “helping,” wars have spread like fire by both them and their followers in their comments. This isn’t the good kind of fire these writers initially sought to welcome through their writing. This is the kind of fire that puffs up and destroys people.
This ought not to be happening in our circles. What a reproach to Christ’s holy name! I see no reward of His suffering offered to our humble Savior when manipulation is utilized to proudly defend a point in the court of man’s opinion.
When Jesus was thrown into a similar religious court of opinion, his response baffled his prosecutors. “Have you not read the scriptures?” He went on to clarify his agreement with God’s heart for man, clearly addressed in the Scriptures. He silenced his accusers by always leading them back to the truth of the Word. Christ did that 2,000 years ago, and the Holy Spirit continues to lead man into truth today if we let Him.
The struggle many face today in their search for truth and right living is rooted in several factors, the first being that we don’t start with Scripture in the first place. Now, I admit we don’t have perfect cultural lenses to wear to understand everything God spoke to people in their day, nor do we have the original translations that capture the beauty of the language when it was first spoken, so tools CAN be and ARE incredibly helpful. But sadly, what was once considered sacred and holy, a sword of truth to fight powers and principalities, has become a weapon in the mouths of the self-righteous, who seek to justify themselves by cutting others down… Others who claim to be on the same team! And all this in front of unbelievers. This shouldn’t be. Nevertheless, fruit is being revealed, and we are to judge it.
I’m sure both writers engaged in battle want to hold to the truth, but what is truth without the Holy Spirit lighting it up and leading people to it? Even the devil tried to use God’s words against Jesus in the wilderness. “What does the Word say?”
Can you quote more than a few passages that defend your position on how people “should” act? We shouldn’t lean on WWJD. Instead, What is Jesus Doing? One is based on assumption, and the other is rooted in relationship. And yet, we often leave God out of what we call a relationship. Are you living your life in tune with God’s heart for people… Even when challenged? We can’t forget the humility of Christ, the beauty of His sacrifice, His heart for sinful people, His kindness that leads people to repentance, and His passion to set people free and reconcile them to the Father. Our words aren’t the only thing that leads (or misleads) people. Our actions and attitudes also contribute to our influence. Or… “Have you not read?”
We can’t win people to a Christ we don’t know. The Pharisees were making disciples, but not disciples who could lead people to God. They led them to chains, works, self-righteousness, and pride. Maybe they started out right, as many of our present-day authors have. And yet, when held to account, their hearts hardened, and they became people who stood for God who did not lead people to Him. They stood in the way for people to run to the safety of His mercy and grace. And they made their disciples twice the children of hell that they were.
Christ spoke straight into the heart of whatever matter stood before Him. And He only did what He saw the Father do. The fruit of His life bled love in everything He did—in healing, in teaching, and even in His rebuke.
The true question I feel rising up in my spirit for the Church as I gaze at the same religious spirit working in this social media showdown is this: Will we allow the Holy Spirit to lead us to truth even when we’re offended, and will we continue to display His character even when we’re challenged?
The Holy Spirit will not tell you to respond to people in a way that pushes them away from God, no matter how justified you feel. The genuineness of our relationship with God will be tested and revealed, so as you build, use the Word as your plumb line for your sake and others. I plead with you to be intentional so as not to become someone who hinders others from seeing the real Jesus. We’ve got enough fake gospel Jesuses already. Stay low, stay humble, and stay in the Word.
