By Scott Carolan
How many of you have found yourself yelling at your computer screen or phone as you scrolled through your social media feed over the last few months? Or find yourself puzzled as you flip channels during the evening news and begin to wonder if the different media outlets are even talking about the same events? Hopefully it’s not just me!
It’s borderline infuriating to sort through all the different statistics and narratives to discern some sort of truth and wisdom in it all. Is Covid a major pandemic or slightly worse than the flu? Should we wear masks or not wear masks? Does racism still exist? Is it systemic or merely personal? Is government overreach happening and are politicians using all of this for personal and political gain? Or are they simply operating in what they think is in the best interest of our country, states and cities?
All of these issues combined with the isolation created by the pandemic have resulted in proverbial rock throwing fights all over the place. If you’re looking for concrete solutions for all of the major issues facing our country and our world, you won’t find them here. However, if you will allow me, I would like to share some observations and trends I have noticed over the last several months as well as some thoughts on how we as Christians can and should be wading through all of this.
First, the sin of slander has become acceptable.
In his article “Lay Aside the Weight of Slander”, Jon Bloom describes slander as “whenever someone says something untrue about someone else that results, intentionally or unintentionally, in damaging that someone else’s reputation.”
The Bible clearly speaks against slander in Proverbs 6:16, 19, Romans 1:30, and James 3:15-16, telling us that God hates slander and that slander is the behavior of someone who hates God. I think the challenge with slander is that it can be as subtle as reposting something on social media that we haven’t taken the time to fact check.
Instead of resorting to slander, may we be a people who are quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger (James 1:19). May we be a people that are quick to listen and slow to repost on social media – because slander may seem innocent, but its effects are powerful and long lasting. Yes, this even includes people you disagree with or you might even consider your enemies!
Second, we are doing Satan’s job for him.
One of Satan’s primary roles is that of the accuser (Revelation 12:10). He accuses us of being unlovable, not good enough, etc. I have seen videos on facebook of pastors literally screaming at other pastors telling them that they are doing it wrong, that they aren’t doing anything good enough. I have seen and experienced countless rants from Christians slamming anyone who dares wear a mask out in public, and several shots fired back at those who refuse to wear masks at all. Many times these word battles are meant to belittle and accuse rather than to stir one another up to good works.
Instead of accusing others, may we be a people that pursue unity and peace. It’s the church’s job to pursue unity in the midst of division. To pursue peace in the midst of chaos. (1 Corinthians 1:10; Ephesians 4:1-6; 1 Peter 3:8). Unity does not mean uniformity. In fact that’s what makes unity all the more powerful – when you can have a diverse group of people come together in unity around a common denominator – the gospel.
Now please hear me out: I am not saying there aren’t things that we need to stand up for. Issues of Gospel, Sin, and abuse need to be exposed and talked about. But I implore you to do so civilly, and whenever possible do it in person, or over the phone, not on social media or through text messages.
Third, our sources of wisdom and truth are coming from our social media feeds, popular media sources, or favorite politicians.
I have heard it said that “Your diet is not only what you eat. It’s what you watch, what you listen to, what you read, and the people you hang around. Be mindful of the things you put into your body emotionally, spiritually and physically.”
If you honestly answered the question: “How has your diet been lately?” What would be your response?
I don’t know about you, but my diet has been pretty bad. On a bad day my main source of sustenance is Facebook, Instagram, the news, and a little bit of sports – seasoned with a little scripture. The reverse should be true. Scripture and biblical community should be my main course that is seasoned a little with everything else. May we be a people that are abiding in God’s word and engaging in life giving relationships with family and friends.
These times are challenging to say the least. Yet with that, the opportunities are great for the Church to be a community that is united in the Gospel and on a mission to love God and love others well. Let us not get distracted from our mission.
(Scott Carolan is the Pastor of Ministries at Sanger Bible, and brings a lot of value with over a decade of experience in ministry. He is a student of life, loves to research, and loves people. Joining SBC just February, we largely blame him for the Pandemic which hit just a few weeks later after his arrival.)
