Think of all the professing Christians you know. Think about them carefully. Now answer this honestly… Would you characterize most of them as reasonable and level-headed? Are they kind and gracious?
Are you a Christian? And if so…
Would you characterize yourself that way? Would the people who know you describe you as reasonable, kind, gracious, and level-headed?
According to the Bible, Christians should be known by their love and they should be kind, gracious, caring, gentle, wise, and reasonable.
Don’t believe me?
Let’s see what James has to say on this subject.
Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
James 3:13-18, KJV
The Authorized (or King James) Version is my favorite English translation, but in case the Old English is a little confusing, let me break this down in simple 21st-century language.
James is saying that those who are wise will display (or show) their wisdom through their words and conduct. If they are truly wise, we’ll see certain positive qualities in their language and their lives.
Indeed, James says that if the person has wisdom “from above,” he or she will be:
- pure
- peaceful
- gentle
- easy to talk with (reasonable)
- merciful
- good (in conduct and intentions)
- honest and impartial
- genuine (not hypocritical)
Now, what are the opposite qualities?
- bitterness
- envy
- strife (conflict)
- dishonesty
- sensuality-driven (carnal)
Christians should be known as kind, gracious, and gentle — not bitter or combative. We should be seen as honest, fair, and reasonable — not as being selfish or untrustworthy. James says that people who get their wisdom and direction from God will be peacemakers who sow fruits of righteousness.
Unfortunately, speaking from an American context, the general evangelical “community” has seriously undercut its testimony. This is due to lots of grievous scandals in high-profile churches, ministries, and faith-based institutions over the last several years (and, often, the mishandling of such matters) as well as (in many cases) rampant hypocrisy.
That’s bad enough. But that’s not all.
As American society has become more politically polarized, Christians have contributed to that division and unrest rather than helping make things better. From election disputes to civil rights, from COVID to abortion, and from LGBTQ+ issues to disputes over censorship and cancel culture, Christians are more apt these days to shout than to listen or to agitate than relate.
Christians are often reactive, uninformed, quick-tempered, and quite unpleasant.
Yes, I believe Christians should be active citizens in whatever country they live in. And yes, I believe Christians must sometimes take public, vocal, and (at times) unpopular stands. But there are healthy ways and unhealthy ways to speak truth into our culture and communities. And more importantly, there are godly and ungodly ways to do so.
As an example, you may not have voted for Joe Biden. You may detest most, if not all, of Joe Biden’s political philosophy or administration policies. But if you join in with “Let’s Go, Brandon!” jeers and insults, you are flagrantly dishonoring your President, engaging in crude vulgarity, and being hateful to your fellow human beings (not only President Biden but those who support him).
Please tell me how such conduct is acceptable to God.
I often see Christians (in public debates, articles, and social media posts) engage in name-calling, scorn, and outright vitriol. And it’s not just in the area of politics. This kind of nonsense is often seen in how Christians themselves interact when disagreeing over theology or biblical interpretation. And it’s often how Christians engage with each other inside of churches.
It is shameful.
And for any reader who might be inclined to think such conduct or language is justified, please explain how anything of the sort is consistent with these verses:
- “Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord.” (Leviticus 19:18)
- “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” (Jesus in Matthew 5:43-44)
- “Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.” (Paul the Apostle, Romans 12:14)
- “Recompense to no man evil for evil.” (Paul the Apostle, Romans 12:17a)
- “Render therefore to all their** dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.” (Paul the Apostle, Romans 13:8) **“their” refers to the “higher powers” identified in Romans 13:1**
- “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men…” (Paul the Apostle, Galatians 6:10a)
- “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” (Paul the Apostle, Ephesians 4:29)
- “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” (James 1:19-20)
- “Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.” (I Peter 2:17)
Once again, if you believe it’s acceptable for a Christian to engage in name-calling, mockery, scorn, slander, or vitriol when it comes to political, social, or religious disagreements… then please explain your opinion with the above biblical passages in mind.
According to the Bible, God’s people should be people of love. We should be driven by love and known by our love. We should listen more than we talk. We should strive to understand something before we comment on it or react to it. And we should be committed to growing in knowledge and wisdom.
Yes, we should be men and women of courage and conviction. And we should also be considerate, patient, merciful, kind, forgiving, and gracious. And we should be respectful — especially to (but not limited to) those in authority.
Oh, and when it comes to the people in our lives (including those in authority), our priority should be to pray for them rather than complain about them or attack them (see I Timothy 2:1-2).
I know it’s often impolite or counter-effective to use the word “should,” but I’m a Baptist preacher, so I can’t help myself. Besides, I don’t think I’m doing anything other than pointing to what the Bible says – and let’s be clear: God has the right to say “should.”
We are supposed to approach the world and interact with each other in ways that bring glory to God and credit to our testimonies as servants of Christ. And when we seek after and act in accordance with “wisdom that is from above,” that is what will happen.
Be loving. Be kind. Be gentle. Be wise. Be reasonable. Be gracious.
When you do those things, you’ll bring more credit to God and you’ll experience more peace and joy in your life.
