1. Don’t stop to pray – it’s a headline. There certainly isn’t time to consult with God!2. Don’t consult scripture – you’ve read plenty of scripture all ready, besides, it’s an ancient book and this is news, the Bible couldn’t possibly inform your reaction or advise your emotions in this matter.
3. Don’t read the entire story or follow-up with other sources to check the facts. Reporters already had to do that, didn’t they? Trust them to do their job. How often do they get things wrong, right?
4. Alert others as quickly as possible – get to the phone, to Facebook, to Twitter, and to every other social network quickly to spread the word. Nothing informs a matter like mob reaction!
5. Use broad strokes, inflammatory phrases, and standard clichés like “slippery slope” and “signs of the end” in your tweets, texts, and status updates. People need strong language to get them to act.
6. Whatever you say, throw in a verse of scripture. Don’t worry about the context. What’s important is for people to see what side God is on.
7. Attribute your own reaction to God. You’re a Christian so if you’re reacting this way, it must be how God feels too, right?
8. If anyone disagrees with your take on the headline, argue with them through comments and/or counter tweets. Don’t worry about keeping the peace. What’s most important is being right and convincing others that you’re right. They’ll see in the end. Dialog leads to compromise and that’s a sign of evil doings.
9. Unfriend or unfollow anyone with a different point of view. You can’t have counter-points showing up in your newsfeed because that would just get confusing.
10. Don’t try to sort through the facts on your own through prayer, study, and discussion with your local fellowship – just listen to famous Christians and repeat what they say. They wouldn’t be famous if they weren’t mature Christians. They’re professionals and you only have amateur status.
“Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are convinced of better things in your case—the things that have to do with salvation. God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.” Hebrews 6:9-12
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:2-6
Let us be wise , loved ones. Wise to press in to God and wise in ALL our interactions with others.
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Wow, Lori. Thank you for NEVER EVER being afraid to speak/write what is on your mind and heart. I am so convicted by many of these points here. I cringed while reading them, knowing I’ve done most of them along the way, as recently as the Newtown elementary school shooting. Ugh. Lazy Christian. Yes, that would be me, guilty as charged. Thank you for being such a light in my own dark place. Another part of me that needs a major overhaul. I am so very grateful for your posts, Lori.
Thanks for always reading, Pam, and believe me, God convicted me in the writing of this one. We live in an age of quick reactions and so we should be always in prayer, always in the word, but work to always consult with the Lord and the spirit of wisdom in determining our outward reactions.
+ Lori Stanle Roeleveld, I feel personally blessed to find a thinking Christian. (by the way the “-de” in Rhode Island is invisible on your website)
Rohn Federbush
Thank you, Rohn! I’m glad you are blessed by what you’ve found here. I think I’ve corrected the photo issue. That was a good note!
Well said.
Amen.
Well said Lori, as always!
I so appreciate your openness, your lack of ‘fluff’ in your blog. Thank you for speaking truth, His Truth.
Thank you, Cyn. I’ll try to maintain my fluff-free status!
Very interesting post, Lori. Sometimes we Christians can be like the confused Mountie who jumped on his horse and ran off in all directions.
Blessings,
Tom Blubaugh, Author
Night of the Cossack
Wonderful metaphor, Tom!
Lori,
Excellent post! Guilty as charged *cringe*! Thank you for being true to our Lord and true to His call on your life to shine His light to the world and to His kids!!
God bless you!
Cheri
I’m guilty along beside you, sis. Always in the process of sanctification! Lori
If you can’t say amen say Ouch! Great post.
Amen. For sure. Especially # 5 and #8. I often cringe when I read comments Christians make, especially on secular sites. We are supposed to speak the truth in love.