Shout out to all the brave Christians expressing outrage over sin committed by people you don’t like!
Your brilliant method of showing partiality has brought efficiency to my faith. By reserving moral alarm exclusively for people I detest, I’m able to keep sin politically useful without the icky feeling of personal conviction. You’ve changed my life!
When someone I detest lies, cheats, posts a photo, speaks a sentence, or just continues to exist, I know exactly what to do. I quote scripture. I talk about leadership standards and the collapse of civilization. I’m not sidetracked by ‘forgiveness’ or ‘mercy’ because my humble task is to destroy wickedness and save mankind from evil.
However, when sinful behavior shows up among people I support, I emphasize prayer. I talk about restoration. I remind everyone that sinners are made in the image of God and it’s not my place to judge. This consistency in inconsistency allows me to remain morally engaged without upsetting people I care about.
I especially appreciate how your system simplifies language. For opponents, I say “sin,” “moral failure,” and “disqualification.” For allies, I say “personal struggle,” “season,” and “messy process.” This makes it easy for people to know whose side I’m on while I insist I’m unbiased.
Your technique works especially well at church. Anytime I hear a reference to sin, I instantly apply it to a public figure whom I have decided is a bad person. This prevents my mind from wandering into self-reflection, which would be distracting during worship.
I admit that at first, I thought this thinking was mildly hypocritical but I’ve changed my mind. This is prioritization! If I were equally bothered by all sin, regardless of who committed it, I would quickly exhaust my emotional resources and maybe start examining my own behavior, which is incredibly selfish. There are many other Christians who need rebuking more than me. I’m elevating their needs above my own!
So thank you for giving me a moral framework that activates only when I want it to. You’ve taught me that grace is always available whenever it’s needed…by someone on my side.
(Matthew 7:3) Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye?
One Response
I generally self-assess before I make moral judgements. I am a weak and imperfect person. My moral high-ground is not even high enough to judge the sin of others.