The Problem with Disagreeing

Thirty years ago, when I was pastoring an Assemblies of God church in Alabama, emotional eruptions in a Sunday School class that was studying current events necessitated my asking the teacher to look for a new curriculum. Controversial subjects as they related to Scripture, had put many on edge. I learned the hard way that many (probably most) Christians have difficulty separating their emotions from certain issues, i.e. abortion, homosexuality, divorce and remarriage, suicide, transgenders, legalism, etc. I soon began noticing that conversations did not conclude at the end of class but were carried into the sanctuary. People became at odds with one another! Emotions continued to escalate. Anger set in and offenses became imminent.

Two or three ringleaders continued to fuel the fires of silent provocation. Eventually, I felt it best to resign the church, as sides had formed and the overall church was suffering. Three out of seven board members joined league with those who disagreed with my decision to ban the study of controversial issues. In retrospect, my inability to effectively deal with conflict, along with crippling fear in my heart, necessitated my departure. It was probably the toughest time in my overall ministry.

Now, perhaps you can understand why I refuse to allow politics and controversial issues to find expression in my current pastorate. Simply put, most people cannot separate their negative emotions from those issues about which they hold strong opinions – those things they hold dearly – without causing severe damage to their Christian witness.

Our recent national election once again proved my premise. As you know, things got ugly! Hate took on many faces. In my 69 years, I’ve never seen so much turmoil and anger. It went way past mudslinging; in some cases things turned deadly.

I believe that Christianity in America has turned a corner. The assassination of Christian activist, Charlie Kirk, sent shock waves across the Christian community that should drive all of us to our knees. Yes, there are pockets of revival springing up across the land, but also, clear battle lines are being drawn between the forces of darkness and we who live in the light. We, sad to say, are living among gospel antagonists. Their answer to disagreement is often harsh confrontation, lying, mis-representation, hate speech, and even loaded guns. How scary!

We, who name the name of Jesus, must gear up for battle – not through name calling, hate-mongering, riots, parades, and weapons, or practicing our aim etc, but by imitating the love of God in our churches, places of employment, marriages, schools, and everywhere we go. We must amp up our prayer times.

And whatever you do, realize who your “real” enemy is. Let’s direct our righteous energy toward Satan. Remember, “our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world” (Ephesians 6:12).

Offenses be gone. Petty disagreements be curtailed. Nit-picking and comparing be halted. Hatred cease. The real battle is for the souls of men. Neither Republicans nor Democrats have the answers. Jesus is the answer.

Emotions all around us are reaching epic negative acceleration. Because of the events surrounding that Sunday School class three decades ago, a flourishing, growing church eventually met with decline and division. When we pastored there, Sunday mornings welcomed a packed house. Today, a small handful of people struggle to keep the doors open. May God forgive us for disagreements that lead to kingdom casualties.

Nothing good ever comes from heated exchanges and rigid confrontation. Everyone loses! Hate-filled emotions out of control have destroyed homes, marriages, churches, and even nations. During the years leading up to the American Civil War, racism, anger and hate festered, causing our national conscience to turn deadly. Between 1861-1865, an estimated 620,000 Americans died. War brought untold pain to an already divided nation.

As we navigate toward end time events, and evil accelerates, may we seek the “Prince of Peace” like never before.