7/15/2022 0 Comments Cancel CultureCancel Culture is the idea that anything controversial in speech or behavior should be punished through public shaming, silencing, boycotting, firing, etc. People’s lives become ruined through this cancel culture idea. Cancel Culture has so many dangerous outcomes and is also associated with several problems that can be addressed biblically. Cancel culture is rash, spiteful, judgmental, and unforgiving. Cancel culture views people as unredeemable and worthy of such spiteful reaction. Christians should see no one as unredeemable or as an object of spite. Repentance and change are always possible. God’s love is always available.
Questions for further thought: 1. What are your personal thoughts on cancel culture? 2. How do you believe we as Christians should respond to it? Challenge: When you feel the need to “cancel someone,” pray that God would cancel your anger, so you don’t need to cancel your relationship.
0 Comments
7/14/2022 0 Comments Something ExpectedI recently read an excerpt by Jonathan Edwards on how we are to respond to mean attacks or false charges. He makes a point that it shouldn’t surprise us when we are victims of slander or gossip saying, “Men that have their spirits heated and enraged and rising in bitter resentment when they are injured act as if they thought some strange thing happened to them. Whereas they are very foolish in so thinking for it is no strange thing at all, but only what was to be expected in a world like this. They therefore do not act wisely that allow their spirits to be ruffled by the injuries they suffer.” Edwards point is that if the Christian expects to be slandered, as the bible has told us we will be, and we continue to focus on God when it happens, we will not be brought down by it.
Questions for further thought: 1. Has someone ever said anything unkind to or about you? 2. Do you agree with Edwards in saying we shouldn’t be surprised when people treat us this way? Challenge: Pray about the next time this could happen to you and how you will decide to respond to it when it does. 7/13/2022 0 Comments WWJDWe usually feel a need for justice when someone wrongs us. Offense stirs up thoughts of insecurity, pride, and frustration. We want to act upon it. Rid ourselves of those feelings they caused. But Jesus modeled the exact opposite reaction to offense. His whole betrayal, beating, mocking, and eventual death by those who wronged him terribly was able to be looked past by Jesus. He saw how wounded their souls were and found the strength and love to actually pray for their forgiveness. In the face of the worst injustices, Jesus chose to offer grace, mercy, forgiveness, and compassion.
Questions for further thought: 1. What insecurities or wounds cause you to respond to offense in ways other than how Jesus did? 2. What’s keeping you from fully loving others? Challenge: Ask Jesus to help you look past acts of brokenness to the heart of those who offend you. 7/12/2022 0 Comments Hurt vs. OffendedYesterday we mentioned hurt feelings and our choice in response to them. Today we are going to explain the difference between hurt and being offended. Hurt is something that we experience because something wrong has been done to us, such as lies, broken promises, or gossip. Offense is not the result of something done to us, it’s something that we choose when something bugs us, maybe a character trait we don’t like in certain people. Hurt happens to us and being offended is a choice made by us. We need the wisdom of God to be able to sort through our hurt hearts and our offended hearts, because He cares about them both!
Questions for further thought: 1. Have you ever thought about the difference between hurt and offended? 2. What are some ways you have been able to sort through the two? Challenge: Think about the situations you may be feeling hurt about right now. Write them down and ask God to show you if it’s hurt of offense. 7/11/2022 0 Comments Choosing Not to be OffendedPeople’s words and actions can hurt our feelings. I don’t think having your feelings hurt is a choice, but what happens after is. We have a choice to let those words dig deep and live offended or we can choose to overlook that offense and leave it outside of our heart and mind. We can’t help what people think of us, but we can choose to honor God by choosing to not be offended.
Questions for further thought: 1. Would you consider yourself easily offended? 2. If yes, what things could you do to change that? Challenge: Read 1 John 1:8-10 and reflect on its meaning. 7/8/2022 0 Comments In Perfect UnityIt is impossible to deny that there are many differences amongst Christian believers. After all, the number of Christian denominations now numbers in the tens of thousands. This, however, was not Jesus’ vision for his church. God calls us to be a church undivided, Christ’s body here on Earth. Anger and offense will only harm that body.
Questions for further thought: 1. What differences exist within the “body of Christ”? 2. How should those within the church respond to those differences? Challenge: Take what you answered to the second question above and implement it. You are a part of the body of Christ, and there should be no discord between its parts. 7/7/2022 0 Comments Grace and TruthWhat purpose do the commandments of God serve? They were originally seen by the Jewish people as a way to pursue righteousness and allow them to enter the holy presence of God. Jesus, though, changed this. The law remained the same, but its purpose was now made clearer. It points towards grace by allowing one to become conscious of sin. This is both a blessing and a terrible responsibility, however. Knowing what the law says and dwelling in God’s grace means much will be expected from you.
Questions for further thought: 1. How should the law and God’s grace impact your conversations with nonbelievers? 2. What responsibilities do you have now as a follower of Christ? Challenge: Paul discusses the law and its relationship with the Christian life thoroughly in Romans. Set up a plan to read through and study this 16-chapter letter. 7/6/2022 0 Comments Love Like ThisJesus’ example is a difficult one to follow. He flipped the status quo and destroyed expectations with his every word and action. He is the King, but he came humbly. He is holy, yet he ate with “sinners”. He is perfect, yet he died next to criminals. Jesus loved and loves others no matter what they did or do. He loved enough to die for his own killers. Now that’s a difficult example to follow.
Questions for further thought: 1. How would your life change if you viewed others the way Jesus does? 2. What does loving “your enemies” look like? Challenge: Think of a person you would rather not have on your prayer list. Start praying for them every day. It will be difficult at first, but God can do amazing things. 7/5/2022 0 Comments JudgmentIt is easy to become angry with the world when it strays far from God. Being so connected in this age allows us to view the world’s evil in real time, something that is naturally discouraging. However, it is also easy to fall into the trap of judging others with this heightened connection. While God knows every situation and every man’s heart, we have no such omniscience. It is likely a better deal for us if we leave judgment to a perfectly just God anyway. Keep this in mind when you are tempted to become offended by another’s actions or words.
Questions for further thought: 1. Are one man’s sins worse than another’s? 2. How does judgment lead to offense? Challenge: Set aside a certain time to take a break from the internet or a particular device. Try and fill this time with something more productive (ex. conversing with an accountability friend, reading scripture, or spending time in prayer). 7/4/2022 0 Comments Patience and PeaceFollowers of Christ are representatives of their savior to the rest of the world. Their actions and words are on display, to be seen and tested by others. If this is the case, what does a Christian’s offense and anger say about Jesus? Becoming offended inherently puts one on the defense, often aggressively. Will anger or aggressiveness invite others into a relationship with Jesus? If the answer is no, a Christian’s life should reflect this.
Questions for further thought: 1. What has anger accomplished in your life? 2. Why is offense such a common response presently? Challenge: The next time you feel angry or offended, pause, and consider how your response will reflect on your relationship with Jesus. |
AuthorThis devotional is written every week by Hillcrest members. Archives
March 2024
Receive this devotional in your inbox every Monday - Friday.
|