Christians, we will be offended in this world! There really is no getting around it. We live, think and believe in ways counter to our culture. Therefore, others are going to not like us, even hate us for who we are. Our ”woke” generation perceives a completely different world of normal.
Definitions of words have been reversed. A result is that we all offend each other without realizing what we said that offended. Listen to this definition by Jim Morgan of what we face. “‘Woke’ is awaking from a supposed sleep induced by parents, preachers, youth group leaders, America’s founders, and anyone else with the audacity to tell people how to live their lives. Once “enlightened” to their true identity and nature, liberated from the arcane idea that mankind is sinful and needs a Savior, society begins its regression into the division, dependence, decadence and decline that eventually demands a (secular) savior. The social decay precipitated by shifting trust and truth from God to self sets the stage for submission to the authorities and structures inevitably needed to salvage the sinking ship.”[1] When confronting the ”woke” philosophy we have a couple of problems. First, how do we deal with the offensive action or statement leveled against us (that a Biblical worldview is oppressive)? Secondly, how do we refrain from being equally offensive in our responses, if at all possible?
Proverbs 17:9 says, “He who covers an offense promotes love…”Perhaps another way of thinking would be to decide ahead of time not to let an offense affect you emotionally. Let it go, give it to the Lord to deal with. When in an honest conversation, even a debate, stick with truth and facts rather than innuendos and all the gray areas of thought. Know the subject well that you are discussing or simply state that you are not prepared to discuss it at this time. Barging ahead can often lead to all the unintended offensive remarks that shut down the conversation. Realize ahead of time that those who are opposed to Christianity will re-define the very concepts of Christianity and turn them against us. When this happens ask for them to further define what they are meaning and accusing us of. Then freely defend the Biblical perspectives of each. Help them understand they are not arguing with you, but with God, with His Holy Word. “A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.”(Proverbs 19:11).
Be open in your own short-fallings in order to expose your sinfulness (Romans 3:23). We are not claiming to be perfect in ourselves, but only as we are redeemed in Christ. Eternal life is not something we made up for convenience sake, but it is a gift we accepted from God (Romans 6:23), available to everyone (Romans 10:9-13). Though we are indeed engaged in spiritual warfare, we do not need to utilize the same weapons as our enemies use. See yourself, not as a soldier needing to kill and destroy. Picture yourself, instead, as God’s vessel of love and grace seeking to save that which is lost, Luke 19:10.
Do not prepare with man’s weapons for war, but with God’s (Ephesians 6:11-18). Prepare, study, memorize and pray that the Holy Spirit will bring to your remembrance all that you will need (John 14:26).
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[1] http://meettheneed.org/blog/2021/12/biblical-responses-to-post-christian-culture/
