Don’t Use “It Sounds Woke” As An Excuse To Attack Fellow Christians
Matthew 18:15-17
From the outset, I want to say that speaking out against the woke infecting the Church is good. Being “woke” is about being selfish and forcing people to comply with that selfishness so that people bend to subjective rules instead of the objective truth of the Gospel.
Since 2020, however, I have seen attacks on ministers because they talked about love, church unity, judgment, etc., because those topics are buzzwords used by the woke crowd. I fear many Christians are attacking any brother and sister because they “perceive” something they heard in a social media post as woke. Instead of approaching the person in question or searching for a full context, they do exactly what the woke crowd does and share it over and over and over before the truth can even get a start. These are often false accusations that render more harm than good and do nothing to advance Christianity.
It is true that the woke crowd stole “churchy” language like love, mercy, grace, unity, and twisted them around for their own selfish desires. That should be called out, especially if they declare they have some form of authority. But when a Christian person or minister discusses them in the Biblical context, it should be allowed. It is their duty as a pastor, evangelist, teacher, apostle, or prophet to speak about these topics.
I have noticed a pattern, and this is just my opinion, that it is becoming an excuse to attack Christians you may not agree with on certain theology. The person in question may use “love” in his or her sermon, but because someone may not like that person’s teaching, they attack them with accusations of being “woke.”
We can certainly have these discussions of theological and doctrinal differences, but targeting a brother or sister because they said something that vaguely sounds woke in a sound bite is not the Gospel. The Apostle James tells us, “My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.” (James 5:19-20 ESV)
The Apostle Paul concurs saying, “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. (Galatians 6:1 ESV)
Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ echoes those sentiments and even tells us what to do if they do not listen.
If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. – (Matthew 18:15-17 ESV)
Do your research. Get the full context. Approach them as a fellow believer. Don’t hide behind the cowardly “it’s woke sounding” excuse. That is bearing false witness if you have no proof and quite frankly it is man-made religiosity and not the Gospel. Believers should strive for Church unity because we’re the light that Christ talked about to bring the lost home.
What do you think? Let me know in the comments below. Tell me if there is a comic book, anime, movie, or novel you would like me to review.