Let’s play a game!
I write a lot of things which means I’m sometimes wrong about stuff. When I’m wrong, I try to admit my mistake and avoid repeating the error in the future. A couple of years ago, I wrote something that upset a lot of people. I received hundreds of comments, messages, and emails expressing anger and disappointment. Here are a few examples:
“You’re not funny and your thoughts are bad.”
“John, comedy isn’t your thing, Peaches, maybe go to counseling and fix that gigantic beam in your eyes before creating harmful, disrespectful content and picking out the specks in someone else’s eyes.”
“You and your crap attitude is the reason SO MANY FREAKING PEOPLE LEAVE THE CHURCH!”
“This CLOWN does NOT speak for Jesus (CLEARLY) or any person that truly follows Christ.”
“John Branyan you are shameful and you DO NOT speak on behalf of the Church. Pharisee.”
“John Branyan you’re literally the definition of a tool. Why don’t you just Worry about yourself, and your own life.”
“You’re a disgrace to the Christian world! You are judge mental [sic] in every way and it’s disgusting!”
“John Branyan you are legit the worst. Your actions and words couldn’t be any further from Christ like. Probably a good thing I’m on the opposite side of the country.”
There were HUNDREDS of similar comments but that’s enough to give you the gist of the feedback. It should be noted that these comments came from people professing to be Christians. Some of them told me they are church staff members. Every one of them believed they were holding me accountable for a sin.
Here’s the game: Tell me what sin these people thought I had committed. (I’ll wait…)
After reading through hundreds of angry criticisms, the only thing I knew for certain was that I’m a horrible person. I had no idea why. I had no idea how to be less horrible. The Christians believed they were ‘restoring a wayward brother’ but all they did was vent their unrighteous anger. All they had accomplished was heaping shame on an innocent person.
When I offer advice about how to stand-up against bullies, I’m speaking from experience. My tactics aren’t just “theories.” I’ve been encouraged to kill myself (multiple times) and I’m still here. More importantly, the abuse of ‘Christians’ has not destroyed my faith in Jesus.
I’m open to having my ideas criticized. That’s how I figure out which ideas are good and which are bad. Criticizing my bad ideas blesses me.
I am NOT open to having sanctimonious strangers criticize my character. When you make baseless accusations of wrongdoing, I will not apologize (even if you quote scripture). I will not crumble into despair. I will laugh at you.
That’s how you’ll know you’ve lost the game.
They may curse, but you will bless; when they attack they will be put to shame, but your servant will rejoice. My accusers will be clothed with disgrace and wrapped in shame as in a cloak.
(Psalm 109:28)
