A CHRISTIAN RESPONSE TO MESSAGES OF SUSPICION

A number of messages are currently circulating on social media on topics that vary as widely as the UN being anti-Christian, Christians being beheaded in Afghanistan and the Taliban putting Christians in plastic bags and suffocating them to death.  These messages are not only completely false but are deliberate attempts to rob the Church of her role as peacemaker and the bearer of Good News.  It completely nullifies the cross, destroys the witness of Christ as Reconciler, and puts the Persecuted Church to shame.  

What is even more disconcerting is the eagerness with which these messages are forwarded and passed on to fellow believers. 

So, how do we respond?

A CHRISTIAN RESPONSE TO MESSAGES OF SUSPICION

Don’t embrace a victim mentality as default:  It seems like Christians find great delight in always being the victim.  Whether it’s the Taliban, the UN, the Pope, Bill Gates, or simply our own president – Christians always seem to think the world is against them.  There are few attitudes so disgraceful to God as putting the victory on the cross in the shadow of our man-made giants.  This was the reason the nation of Israel had to spend 40 years in the desert.  We ARE more than conquerors in Christ Jesus and God has NOT given us a spirit of fear but of discernment, love, and the power to overcome. (2Ti 1:7  For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.) 

Don’t sensationalise evil:  As Christians, we don’t need to know evil to reject it. By forwarding videos that contain scenes of beheadings and killings, you are sensationalising evil without serving any purpose.  By accusing the UN of being anti-Christian you are creating a suspicion that can be ill afforded in a season with such a desperate need for hope.  By sensationalising evil, you become a messenger of despair.  Don’t go there  

Don’t give evil the prominence it doesn’t deserve:  Messages that contain elements of evil, glorify evil in a way that can only be described as demonic.  It gives prominence to wickedness that is undeserved.  In a way, it nullifies the goodness we as Christians are supposed to embrace and leaves the viewer with a sense of despair.  It advances the kingdom of darkness and not the kingdom of heaven.  (Php 4:8  Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. )

Don’t attribute evil to people even if they might be capable of it:  Yes, we all know what the Taliban is capable of doing. History is full of tragic and agonizing examples. But as Christians, we should pray for them and not seek to attribute more evil to them.  We should be careful not to attribute false witnesses simply because we think it could be true.  It is a disgrace when Christians become know as people who delight in passing on videos that demonise those that Christ died for.

Don’t use the God-given gift of time to promote evil:  Rather than promoting scenes of evil and messages of suspicion, use your resources and time to generate prayer.  Instead of sending videos of killings, send messages that call people to engagement and prayer.  Instead of using the valuable commodity of time to sow suspicion, use it to bring reconciliation.  Not only are you defiling your mind by entertaining these thoughts but you are also contaminating those who receive the message.

Don’t compromise your mandate as peacemaker as a bearer of evil:  A peacemaker will not demonise people to prove a point. We should approach the throne of Grace like Stephen did when he was stoned to death:  “Father forgive them” (Acts 7:60).  Be careful of projecting your insecurity on to your witness and destroying the beauty that Christ has created in you.  

Don’t portray Christianity as bearers of death and messengers of suspicion:  Let us be known as people of light and messengers of life. People of goodness. People of truth. We are losing our witness when we become obsessed with evil and become known as people who focus on evil rather than redemption.

Don’t use the currency of suspicion to purchase empathy:  Let’s be honest.  The currency we use will determine the product we obtain.  We cannot use suspicion to obtain the currency of reconciliation.  Or evil to obtain empathy.  These videos will obtain the product of hatred, fear, and suspicion – all abominations in the eyes of the Lord.

Finally, remember the words of Christ in Luke 4:43 and how He described his mandate on earth:  “But He said, ‘I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.’”

• The point of every message we sent is the KINGDOM
• The proclamation of every message we send is GOOD NEWS
• The purpose of every message we send is REDEMPTION

If your message does not contain these elements:  DELETE IT!