Christian Pitfalls: Hate Speech
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Ephesians 4:29 (KJV)
Rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language.
Colossians 3:8 (NIV)
Pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.
Romans 14:18 NASB)
Seek peace and pursue it.
Psalm 34:14 (NKJV), 1 Peter 3:11 (NKJV)
In the wartorn 20th century, Adolph Hitler roused millions with hate speech. A few years later in America, Joseph McCarthy used the same tactic. Truth be told, countless dictators and thugs have spurred man’s baser instincts for eons.
Baser Instincts? Yes!
Baser instincts (aka “lizard brain”) are instinctual brainstem reactions, such as territoriality and fear. Therein, consider hate speech in this light and its dictionary definition:
Hate speech is speech or expression that denigrates a person or persons, on the basis of (alleged) membership in a social group, identified by attributes such as race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, physical or mental disability, and others.*
Typical hate speech involves epithets and slurs, statements that promote malicious stereotypes, and speech intended to incite hatred or violence against a group. Hate speech can also include nonverbal depictions and symbols. For example, the Nazi swastika and the Confederate Battle Flag…*
In this era of modern media, hate speech NOW kills through social media, while ‘The prince of the power of the air’ (Ephesians 2:2)... smiles at every malicious text or post.
Actors, models, and talent for Christ:
The world is the world. We can’t control it. Nor should we bow to the “baser instinct” of hating people and things we don’t “get”. Because God’s got it! He’ll right ALL wrongs in HIS way in HIS time. So…
Remember 2 things:
We’re called to “Quiet and peaceable” lives (1 Timothy 2:2), praying for leaders– likable or not! (Jesus didn’t protest Rome’s many wrongs, because His Father appointed each one… for reasons mere mortals can’t understand.)
We’re called to be “Ambassadors for Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:20), with a kind, gentle, no-matter-what love, with an impartial and welcoming love, which is the clear mandate of our Savior.
Lastly,
No one who claims to love and follow Christ should rant, rave, scoff, or name-call ANYONE. So avoid being associated with public rallies, causes, or leaders who are clearly misrepresenting Christ!**
Christian Pitfalls: Hate Speech (Part 47)
* https://www.britannica.com/topic/hate-speech
* https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hate%20speech
** The vast majority of entertainment VIPs are extremely concerned about social justice issues and the hatred shown to certain groups of people– based on their religion, race, or lifestyle choices. If Christian performers publicly post or support “haters”, they should not expect to work or rise in mainstream media.
NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players.’ Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.