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Today I want us to look at something that is of utmost importance for evangelicals to grasp and make a foundational principle in every area of our lives, but particularly when it comes to interacting about politics, social issues, and even theology.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
It\u2019s the fact that SCRIPTURE has to be our filter and our guide. In doing so I want to look specifically at three ways that can happen. There are more ways to be sure, but because of space, time, and caffeine levels, I\u2019ll stop at three…<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Why is this so important?<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n First, because I see way too many Christians decide something is true just because they see it on Facebook or X<\/em><\/strong>, especially if it\u2019s about their least-favorite politician or political figure. Oftentimes, what they\u2019re seeing and forwarding is filled with half-truths, errors, and even blatant lies.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Here\u2019s a hard truth: when Christians pass this stuff on, we are literally aiding the enemy – Satan, the father of lies<\/em> – instead of Jesus, who said that He is the truth itself.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n I don\u2019t know about you, but I cringe when I see things posted on Facebook and X that I know<\/em> for a fact aren\u2019t true, and that literally 2 minutes of research will show. I see accusations and insinuations from Christians that are untrue or based on errant information, but they are passed on as true.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Sometimes they are mistakes made by well-meaning Christians who honestly believe what they\u2019re passing on without checking it out. Been there, done that, and know that embarrassment. But even in that case, Christians need to be much more diligent in checking things out before passing them forward.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n As we talked about last time, we are COMMANDED by Scripture to be discerning and to speak truth – and to speak it in love. When we neglect this we are doing a major disservice to the Scriptures, Jesus, and the people reading your posts.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Second, because Jesus is truth<\/em><\/strong>. When we spread misinformation, whether mistakenly or on purpose because you think it serves the greater good, you are working against the character of the one you claim to love and follow.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Can you see the contradiction in that? Can you see how that would make you appear unChristlike and take away any credibility you have when it comes to the things of God? Can you see how people would be uninterested about anything you have to say when it comes to sharing the good news of Jesus with them?<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n That\u2019s why this is so important. Now let\u2019s look at how the Scripture can be our filter and guide.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n What do I mean by that?<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \u201cJesus says\u2026\u201d Really? Show me.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \u201cChristians should believe\u2026\u201d Really? Show me where we\u2019re supposed to believe that.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \u201cGod wouldn\u2019t do that or say that.\u201d Really? What Scripture do you base that on?<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n I expect people who don\u2019t follow Jesus to make statements about God, Jesus, and the Scriptures that are in error, because most simply don\u2019t have the exposure to the Scriptures that followers of Jesus do, and they don\u2019t have the Holy Spirit living in them to help them learn and discern truth through the lens of Scripture.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n But when supposedly mature followers of Jesus are making such statements, it\u2019s a cause for concern.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Here\u2019s a silly example, then I\u2019ll go on to a more serious one.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n We have all seen Facebook memes that show a picture of Jesus saying, \u201cMy people will pass this on, but those who don\u2019t love me will keep scrolling.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n False, right?<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Or the posts that say if you\u2019re not ashamed of Jesus you\u2019ll paste this post on your wall.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n So because I don\u2019t obey guilt-laden Facebook posts, I\u2019m someone who doesn\u2019t love or follow Jesus? I don\u2019t think you\u2019ll find any Scripture rightly handled that supports either of those.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Here\u2019s a more serious example: If you\u2019re a Christian, you\u2019ll vote Republican, because the Democrat party supports abortion on demand.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n First of all, nothing in Scripture supports such a notion. And second, did you know there is a very vocal group within the Democrat party that is solidly and vocally pro-life? Some of these are born-again evangelical believers who agree with Democrat stances on most things, but disagree vehemently about abortion on demand.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Second, polls show that approximately 90% of Black Evangelicals vote Democrat! There are numerous reasons for this, according to people who actually research this stuff. Are you ready to say that all these people are not believers and followers of Jesus because they vote blue instead of red? I can guarantee that there are some of these people who think you can\u2019t be a Christian and vote Republican. And while that is just as wrong, you might find it instructive to find out why they believe that.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Even if Scripture isn\u2019t clear about a specific issue, it is VERY clear about how we<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n interact with people, including people we disagree with vehemently. For instance:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Making sure the Scriptures are your filter and guide is so important because with all the voices calling out, we need to be people who listen to the voice of God above all else, no matter who the other voices are and no matter how well-intentioned they are.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n People need to hear the truth of GOD above the noise of the politicians and special-interest groups. And Scripture is the primary source of the truth of God.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n 2 Questions:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n What if your idea of what God says is different from someone else\u2019s?\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n First, determine if the both of you are getting your positions from actually reading and studying Scripture or if it\u2019s from your favorite preacher\/teacher\/politician who you WANT to be right\u2026 If you honestly come to your positions, then fine. If the other person honestly came to their positions, then you need to respect the fact that people who love Jesus and love the Scriptures can come to different conclusions about stuff – even important stuff.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n What do we do if we find out something we said or posted was wrong?<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n You don\u2019t want the wrong information to continue circulating, so delete it wherever possible.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Put out a new post that references the deleted one, describing the false information, what makes it false, and giving the correct information.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Decide never to be suckered in by false information. Commit to actually taking the time to research something before posting it. Be VERY careful to not post anything you can\u2019t verify. It generally takes very little time to make sure you\u2019re being accurate.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n How do we really get to the point where we filter everything through Scripture?<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Surprise! Read, listen, study, meditate, and apply the Scriptures.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n I know – you\u2019ve heard all that in Sunday School and church. And with good reason: it\u2019s true. Time in the Scriptures is THE way to develop this skill. Not to mention what it does to develop your character in Christlikeness, right?<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Also meeting with other believers to help you do these better helps (iron sharpens iron).<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n And then there\u2019s good old-fashioned prayer that God gives you the discernment to see things clearly and can respond in a Christlike manner.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n One last thing: make Scripture the default<\/em><\/strong>, not the back-up<\/em><\/strong>. Go to Scripture first, not last.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Be wise, people!<\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Today I want us to look at something that is of utmost importance for evangelicals to grasp and make a foundational principle in every area of our lives, but particularly when it comes to interacting about politics, social issues, and even theology. It\u2019s the fact that SCRIPTURE has to be our filter and our guide. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":795,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-794","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-latest-post"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n\r\n
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