Have you noticed all of the venom in the world today? It is in politics, in newspapers, on TV, on blogs and even in church. What is it that everyone is so angry about?
I’ve noticed that if people aren’t responding some people just yell louder. Some people aren’t happy unless they have a battle to fight for. Brian Kaylor in his book For God’s Sake Shut Up said believers need to find new metaphors. He is so right! Have you read or heard some of these?
- Battle for the Bible
- are there not enough Bibles?
- Shouldn’t we be proclaiming and living it instead of fighting over it?
- Takeover ___________ convention/church/school/nation (insert)
- Really? Does God need our help?
- Did Jesus come to takeover the world or to serve?
- Fight for___________
- Why are we fighting?
- Gain control of______
- Didn’t Jesus say if we want to gain our lives we have to lose it?
- Win back our________ nation/church/denomination/seminaries/schools
- Is everything a win or lose situation?
- Can’t everyone win by having a relationship with Jesus?
- Debate
- Can’t we just talk our dialog?
Maybe I’m too naive or just optimistic. I think we can make a greater impact on our world if we talk to them in a language they can understand. I know that when I yell my kids tune me out. I’m the same way. I a person is yelling at me I don’t hear a word they are saying. They may actually have something good to say but human nature says to tune it out.
Filed under: Christian, Hypocrisy, church, faith, free speech, hate
Good points. I often think of how the Gospel was shared in the book of Acts. Not a lot of behaviors there like the ones you described.
The message may be offensive, but we shouldn’t be. I heard an old timer say once that he didn’t care who didn’t like him because of his position, but he didn’t want to push people away from the message of Jesus by his disposition.
Besides, if we quit yelling at non-believers we can save our voices to yell at our brothers in Christ.
Kevin,
It’s so much easier to “be in the battle” for something…or taking “a stand against..” this or that, than it is to live the “Christ life” for everyone to see, authentically and with great simplicity.
I’m not saying that anyone should “change their positions”…but sometimes the DISPOSITION needs some major overhauling. I know that mine often does.
I know there was a time where I always wanted to mix it up and debate. It made me feel like I was doing something (I didn’t seem to realize it wasn’t helping anyone). Anymore, though, I’ve grown exceedingly tired of fighting. Now I would rather just love and talk and leave the debating to the professionals.
because we are so selfish that only our way matters. we have to be at battle to make more be like us. sadly it makes more not want to be like us.
(No Response? hummm..where is Caps Lock.)
BECAUSE YOU ARE SO SELFISH THAT ONLY YOUR WAY MATTERS. YOU HAVE TO BE AT BATTLE TO MAKE MORE BE LIKE YOU. STUPIDLY, IT MAKES MORE NOT WANT TO BE LIKE YOU.
I really think that not only do we yell louder, but there is more attack and insults even from Christian to Christian. Probably right just to at least feel or see some sort of impact.
People are wondering what we are saying when we speak “churchese” which I catch myself doing. Remember the story about the preacher who wrote in his sermon notes, “weak point – yell louder!”
People may not realize they are making themselves bigger than God when they do it!
From a Baptist preacher:
http://www.greaterthings.com/Ridenhour/Protestant_Evangelism/TwoSticks/index.html