Proverbs 3:35 The wise inherit honor, but fools get only shame.
Benjamin Franklin said, “Whatever is begun in anger ends in shame.”
There is a whole lot of anger in the world right now and is polarizing people into picking a side of many irrational arguments. The new scarlet letter is upon us. As the scarlet letter labelled a person for an adulterous act, so now the narrative toward masks, vaccines, and flu shots are labelling those who are not submitting to government rhetoric an enemy to those whom we love.
What these new advertisements are implying, is that If I do not get a flu shot this fall season, then it means that I do not care for my elderly family members because I will be responsible for their death from the flu. If I don’t wear a mask it means I hate my fellow citizen. If I don’t get vaccinated when the inevitable vaccine comes out, it means I’m indifferent to my society. This gospel of shame is leaking through the propaganda which is creating a culture war among the people and is being fed to us on all media platforms.
Whatever side of the argument a person is on, is not a reason for anger and hate. If you want to wear a mask then wear it, if not, then don’t. But stop creating a wall of division that is so intensely defended at any cost including everyone’s freedom. Stop making the other person feel shame because they do not think as you do. Marilyn J. Sorensen said, “Unlike guilt, which is the feeling of doing something wrong, shame is the feeling of being something wrong.”
Yes, we are to take precautions during this time of a global pandemic. However, to react in a tyrannical manner toward each other is not the answer to healing the world’s residents of this disease. The damage done by all the anger and hate to the souls of our population will be worse and longer-lasting than the virus’s effect on the world to date. 1Cor. 4:14 I’m not writing this to shame you, but to warn you as my dear children.
Our shame was nailed to the cross when Jesus was crucified. I do not have to pick up anyone’s accusation of shame and make it my own. This is the same argument of getting a tattoo or not having one and smoking or not smoking. The difference this time is that the governments are the jokers dealing from the deck that is affecting our lives. If Christ went to the cross to get rid of our shame then why are we so quick to lay shame on others?
Maybe if the governments of the world were not so obsequiously disingenuous we might be trusting of them, but absolute power corrupts absolutely, and we end up fending for ourselves when it comes to the truth of any matter. This is why we are going to have to trust the Lord when it comes to what we are going to do and believe. Whether or not we will act wisely or foolishly. Prov.3:35 The wise inherit honor, but fools get only shame.
The Lord asks us to trust Him with all our hearts and not our own made-up answers. Prov. 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. God’s word is full of promises that encourages us to believe that God will take care of us. The question becomes, “Do you believe Him?” The choice is believing God or the government agencies that are scrambling for answers to things they do not fully understand. True enough, we are learning how to defeat this pandemic together, but we who are in Christ can be calm in the middle of this worldwide storm.
This gospel of shame does not have any part in our inheritance and we should not be passing the shame along. On the contrary, we should be breaking the yoke of this debilitating weapon that the enemy of our soul uses. Do what you have to do to get through this mess but don’t drag anyone down with you because of your fears. The Lord has not given us the spirit of fear. Fear belongs to those who wallow in the anxiety of the world. 2Tim. 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Come on Saints, give out the love. It is truly needed right now.
Thank you Larry
I am becoming concerned about the rhetoric coming from people who are becoming self enforced Thought Police. It seems that people are not happy unless they have a people-group to hate.
Blessings bro. Stay free in Him who liberated us from all sin.
Thanks Norm, much enjoyed your spiritual view regarding this spirit of division, and the growing contempt for others who disagree with your worldview. Keep em' coming. You are like Paul in Acts 17:23, dealing with present things that are relative to this time.