One would have to be blind to not know that rage is in vogue these days. Secular society has embraced rage because it justifies their cancel culture. The logic goes as follows: if you disagree with my truth, my beliefs, my behaviors, and my values then your speech promotes violence against me. Consequently, that makes you a danger to me and the greater society; therefore, your perspective should be banned from the public square if for no other reason than to protect those that may be harmed by your speech. In other words, they feel that they have a moral imperative to suppress your views because you present a danger to the general well-being of society. And the more we object, then the more we will receive their wrath. The result is that rage is reasonable, justifiable, and now fashionable.
That being said, what are Christians to do as they attempt to promote truth, justice, and godliness among those that reject them? Well, the scriptures explain how we are to interact with those that oppose us. A good start is found in James 1:20, “. . . for a man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness of God.” Whatever behavior that our greater culture is impressed by, one’s anger (i.e., aggressive behavior and vitriolic speech) is not the means by which God’s accomplishes his purposes. Given this principle, James encouraged us to be “. . . quick to hear and slow to speak and be slow to anger” (Jm 1:19). Of course, James didn’t mean that we should never be angry. Things occur every day that generate anger within us (e.g., shootings, rape, robbery, etc.). Nevertheless, his point is that when we lose control and lash out in anger at others, then that which is right in God’s eyes is the first victim of our behavior. Consequently, believers are called to disciplined speech. Does that mean that we will always win the day when we are debating those that disagree with us? Of course not, but if we desire to please God and accomplish his purposes, then we must check our anger at the door. Behaving in an angry manner at others who oppose us is a non-starter for those that claim Jesus as their Lord.
Next, Jesus himself said the following: “. . . bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you” (Lk 6:28), and “But I say to you, love your enemies . . .” (Matt 5:44a). Even though it may be hard to remember while in an intense discussion, Jesus calls us to love and pray for those that slander us as dangerous bigots. If you think that such a request is unrealistic, then you only need to remember that Jesus loves and died for the very ones who are arguing with you. Consequently, we please Him by squelching our anger and giving ourselves to loving them and praying that the Holy Spirit will illuminate their hearts. If you don’t think that you could pray for those that slander you, then that is more of an indictment of you and your attitude about prayer.
Having learned to control our emotions, then we are to ensure that we are “. . . speaking the truth in love” (Eph 4:15a). Paul made this admonition after exhorting us to make sure that we are no longer childlike with respect to the issues we discuss. As a result we are immune to the “trickery” and “craftiness” of deceitful people (vs 14). This capacity requires that we do some heavy lifting to ensure that we have the facts straight about whatever we are addressing since ignorance is never attractive. That means no longer living by the sound bites of others, but finding out the truth and promoting it rather than someone else’s deficient biases. Such a commitment is particularly important during election cycles. Thoreau wrote, “Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth” (Walden, or Life in the Woods, 249). People generally thirst for love before anything else. Nevertheless, many also have an insatiable hunger for truth, and they know it when they hear it. Which is why Jesus said that “. . . the truth will set you free” (Jn 8:32). He knew that once those who hunger for truth find it, then they are liberated from all other deceits.
And Jesus wasn’t referring to Oprah Winfrey’s personal subjectivism, which she famously labels as “my truth.” He was referring to reality; he was referring to eternal truth. Consequently, telling genuine truth is inherently a loving act. Regrettably, however, it can be done in an unloving manner. Therefore, how we speak the truth is as important as speaking it. Notice that Paul didn’t simply write “just love others” or “just speak the truth,” instead he exhorted us to speak the truth with love. It doesn’t matter whether we are interacting with others in person or posting something on social media, wherever and however we interact others, truth should be on our lips and genuine love and concern should be our demeanor.
Today we are plagued by a deceitful global relativism that is labeled as “truth” but in reality is anything but it. More than ever the world needs truth, whether it’s moral, social, political, or spiritual. Consequently, Christians need to be devoted anew to publicly speaking the truth in love in all forms of public dialogue. And speaking it to others will be costly. Some claim that George Orwell once said that in “a time of universal deceit — telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” While the quote can’t be found in any of his writings, it’s quite appropriate for our time. More importantly, withholding truth from those who need it most for fear of self-preservation is a hateful act. That we lovingly speak the truth is no guarantee that we will be tolerated or accepted. But as stated earlier, speaking the truth with rage is a non-starter. Therefore, if we hope to win those hungering for truth, then speaking it with love can only aid in their receiving it.
So what are Christians to do when rage is the rage? They are to reject rage and embrace knowledge of the truth and love for it. We also need to love those that are seeking after truth, as well as those that oppose it and us. Does it mean that our world’s cancel culture will respect us; probably not. But when it comes to being on the side of right, it is always better to stand for the truth. W. Clement Stone is believed to have said, “Truth will always be truth, regardless of lack of understanding, disbelief, or ignorance.” Jesus is the epitome and source of all truth; consequently, he calls us to lovingly promote truth wherever it is in jeopardy. For if we are faithful to the truth in general, then we may earn the trust of others and hopefully they will listen as we share the truth about Jesus.
Monte Shanks Copyright © 2022
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