Last week’s installment dealt with the almost constant barrage of hate liberals have been throwing our way for a long time. When you think about it, it started way before the 2016 election. It’s gotten more intense, and they no longer even try to hide their disdain, hatred and malicious rhetoric and actions.
I closed last week’s article with three scriptures. One of them was Proverbs 14:12: “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”
As Christians, when confronting such hate as we’re seeing now, we need to let the truth of that verse sink in. I know there are believers who want to subscribe to the Katy Perry viewpoint of let’s just throw some love towards our enemies and it’s all gonna be unicorns, rainbows and fuzzy bunnies from now on. That doesn’t work. History proves it has never worked.
When dealing with the type of hate we’re experiencing now, there are three points to consider. Confront hate head on; call it out publicly; and consider the reality of the overall situation.
Scripture is full of examples of God’s chosen dealing with hate. One of the best examples can be found in the life of King David.
Long before he became king, as a simple shepherd boy he confronted hate head on in the form of Goliath and the Philistines. Read the entire story in 1 Samuel 17:17-58.
As David rose in prominence, he confronted the jealousy and hatred of King Saul. (1 Sam. 24:52, and pretty much the rest of 1 Samuel.) However, he was always aware that while he was not yet king himself, God had a purpose for him and part of that purpose was confronting the hate of the enemies of Israel as well as those around him and close to him.
David was referred to as a “man after God’s own heart.” (1 Sam. 13:14; Acts 13:22) Unfortunately, that didn’t stop him from being all too human and blowing it. David’s sin was not that he confronted hatred head on by killing in battle, it was the misuse of his God given authority as king simple so he could get laid. (II Sam. 11:2-27; 12:1-23.)
In the New Testament, throughout Christ’s earthly ministry, He was continually facing the hatred of the Jewish leaders. However, when you look at how Christ handled it, He was anything but the meek, pacifist hippie-type a lot of Christians believe Him to be. He had no problem with publicly calling out hatred whenever He found it. The best examples are John 8:1-11 (the woman caught in adultery); Mathew 23:1-36 (Christ speaking about the scribes and Pharisees); and Mathew 21:12, John 2:15 (Christ driving the money changers from the temple.)
There are other verses, of course, but these are probably the best examples of Christ never backing down from confronting hatred and the abuse of power.
The last consideration of how to deal with hatred might seem a bit ambiguous at first. Concerning yourself with the reality in which we live is equally important to confronting and then calling out hatred.
This involves being politically aware, and of course there are Christians who want to shy away from anything political because, well…that’s just not spiritual enough.
Consider this: What was Moses doing when he confronted Pharaoh? What were Nehemiah and Daniel doing when they went before rulers and took a stand? These are just a few examples of how even the most ancient of true believers’ concerning themselves with their political reality.
And, What Would Jesus Do? While His dealing with the Romans, Herod (the Jewish puppet ruler) and the Jewish religious leaders was central to His act of sacrifice, He did not shy away from his trial and crucifixion. Had he not done so, we would not have salvation. Truthfully, politics and confronting hatred played a part in salvation.
We know that as conservatives and as Christians, we’re going to be doubly hated by liberals. So be it. We’re in a fight. Get used to it. It’s not like we haven’t been told this would happen.
Follow the examples of the Biblical patriarchs and Christ Himself. Don’t be afraid of confronting hate head on, call it out publicly, and always maintain awareness and concern for what’s going on around you.
We have great examples of those who have.
photo credit: Neil. Moralee Rage Against The Darkness. via photopin (license)
