Would you talk to this child the same way you talk to others? Would you say, “There’s no excuse. Just show up. How hard is it?” When he doesn’t comply, would you begin a debate? Would you beat him down with verses? He can’t even function at a regulated capacity. His basic human needs aren’t even being met.
This is what you sound like when you condemn and throw memes and verses at the oppressed who are barely surviving. Someone sitting on the fence between life and death could hear or see that. It’s not going to lead them to conviction; it’s going to lead them to mark and avoid you. It may lead them to added sorrow and sabotage on top of the weight they’re already carrying.
Many people are struggling with deprivation, oppression and wounds that don’t show on the outside. Even children can be neglected for some time before beginning to show it. People who survive abuse, especially in childhood, are very adapted to it and will hide it well. It’s what they’ve been programmed to do. Not hiding abuse can lead to more pain and suffering for them, and often times more danger. When people are hiding physical evidence, it can take weeks for bodily marks from abuse to heal. Making assumptions and generalizing based only on what you see can lead to an unintended result. Someone could be surviving a situation you’ve never considered or had to survive.
God’s Word does not go lightly on the subject. He says our words hold the power of life and death. God’s Word is true, but conveying truth requires wisdom and discernment. This means that just because something is in the Bible does not mean you’re speaking life to people.
Just because someone isn’t functioning well also does not mean they disagree with you. It just means they’re in a different situation and season than you. Their bodies and minds need nourishment and healing before they can process knowledge. When you overwhelm people enduring an oppressive situation, you’re pushing them away by speaking death to them.
That’s why people reteat or respond harshly. They’re at the breaking point. They will seem to be overreacting at these one-off statements or conversations because others don’t see the years of deprivation leading up to the attack.
They don’t need a verse and a wagging finger. They need connection.
It’s time for church folks to stop making assumptions, and start loving those who are there. It’s time to stop talking and start being the hands and feet of Jesus. It’s time to get off self-righteous entitled soap boxes and show kindness. Maybe help someone find a seat. You have no idea what people are going through.
We were loved by Christ while we were His betrayers and He even knew of the messes we would get into, so how much more should we refrain from judging and love others without first expecting them to meet our standard?
When people show up blemished and stained from enduring this oppressive world, let’s stop shooting them with fiery darts and start silently handing out bread, so they can experience the warm embrace of the Savior and living water can satiate their weary soul.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. – Proverbs 18:21
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” – John 6:35
Then the righteous will answer him, saying, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?” And the King will answer them, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” – Matthew 25:37-40
