I changed my mind...again.
Recent events have forced me to change my mind on an important conviction I’ve discussed extensively in the past several years. As anyone who has read my work knows, it’s not unusual for me to change my mind. Whether due to new or better information or when the Holy Spirit shines a light on wrong ideas or beliefs, I’m compelled to make a course adjustment.
As a result, I have an entire blog series dedicated to the things I’ve changed my mind about. I believe change is inherent to growth and that growth is healthy and right. It’s God’s central agenda to change us, more and more, into the reflection of His son (Rom 8:29). So, these days, I try to hold everything very loosely and yield to His authority. His ways, regrettably, are not yet my ways. And my job isn’t to resist or argue. It’s to submit and obey.
In these tumultuous times, when so much is coming at us from so many different perspectives, it’s imperative that Christians return to the foundational truth that our beliefs, thoughts, words, and actions must be derived not from our political alignment nor our allegiance to any nation, party, or politician but from Jesus’ teachings and, by extension, the teachings of the entire New Testament. Any other response does violence to the very concept of following Jesus.
But let’s be honest and authentic; that can be a tough reality to accept, especially when scriptural truth rubs up against places in our lives where we don’t want it rubbing. Through the years that I've spent as a disciple of Jesus, I have experienced the inescapable truth that Robert Mulholland so succinctly presents in his book “Invitation to a Journey.” And that is, when God pursues his primary goal of molding us into the image of Christ, He comes to us precisely in the areas of our unChristlikeness.
That can feel incredibly threatening. The experience is often filled with feelings of anxiety, fear, and resistance. The Fallen Self within each of us seeks, above all things, to remain hidden. And when the Holy Spirit shines scriptural truth on it and exposes an area where it still rules in our lives, it rebels.
Jesus said as much,
John 3
19 “The Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.
None of us escapes this reality. One only needs to reflect on the movements of our own heart to know that this experience is universal for all those who seek to follow Jesus. In that classic passage on this subject, Paul describes his own experience with this presence, this force within us.
Romans 7
18 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature; for I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do. Instead, I keep on doing the evil I do not want to do. 20 And if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. 21 So this is the principle I have discovered: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law. 23 But I see another law at work in my body, warring against the law of my mind and holding me captive to the law of sin that dwells within me.
In so many ways, and at so many levels, this force that the scriptures describe as “the flesh,” “the old man,” the “sinful nature,” though crucified and dealt with judicially by the blood of Christ, remains entangled with our thoughts, emotions, wounds, trauma, habits, and even the expression of our individual personalities. And it does so in a way that it exerts tremendous, subconcious influence in our daily lives. Its very presence creates a ready, internal antenna for the ideas, values, and priorities that emanate from the Adversary and that are embedded in and espoused by all social and cultural constructs created by humanity. Even, and maybe especially, religious ones.
It is the experiential water we all swim in.
I’m roughly ninety thousand words into writing a book on this subject, so much more could be said. But for the sake of this discussion, it’s enough to understand that the Fallen Self within each of us is intensely active and nearly always operating just below our conscious mind. And when something rubs against it, it touches us in a place that feels very tender and very much like “ME.” When truth touches that place, our first reaction is not typically to obey but to rebel, to explain away, to make excuses, or to ignore. In religious contexts, one of its favorite tricks is to slip into a robe of self-righteousness and denial to cloak its true nature, and to continue on, business as usual.
The inescapable result is that there can be areas of our lives that are in sync with the Holy Spirit and obedient to the truth, while other entire compartments of our lives, often deep down in our subconscious spirit, are fundamentally out of sync or even in complete rebellion against the Way and Spirit of Christ.
That is the universal Christian experience. It’s described and taught in detail in many New Testament passages, including Romans 5-8, Galatians 5, Ephesians 4, Philippians 2-3, and Colossians 4. If you’re interested enough in this subject to have read this far, I encourage you to stop here, pull out your Bible, and read the passages above slowly and prayerfully.
This is no insignificant subject. Many of the great saints throughout the history of the Church have described and discussed it. And it’s the reason the scriptures command us to “pay close attention to yourself” (I Timothy 4) and to “put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your sinful nature.” (Colossians 3)
What’s been so instructive to me is that I know all of this. I consistently write and teach about it. Even so, the Fallen Self still pokes its head up at times and catches me off guard.
Recently, the Holy Spirit used an extremely difficult experience to reveal a place within me (a very deep place, I've discovered, that has tendrils extending back into childhood) which, despite having been cleared of darkness many times in the past, still holds pockets of poisonous anger, resentment, and bitterness. It’s unflattering to admit it, but when it came to my attention, my first response to this rubbing of truth against the Fallen Self was not one of immediate repentance or obedience.
It was anger and defiance. How DARE so and so do such and such?
My first and very natural human response was indignation and resentment, and to justify the strong, adversarial feelings that I had toward the situation. My emotions said, “I continually and actively seek to love Jesus and love people. But this, THIS is just inexcusable. I’m completely in the right, and I have every reason to feel the way I do.” Etc. Etc. Etc.
If you have sought to live out the Way of Jesus, you know the experience. My automatic and natural response was to duck and dodge, to explain away the source of these feelings and reactions.
To justify them and hide them beneath everything I feel I do right in my relationship with Jesus.
Unfortunately, this is the place in the process where so many of us stop because it’s the place to which the influence of the Fallen Self inevitably leads us. “I know what Jesus said about forgiveness, but…” “I know what Jesus said about loving our enemies, but…”, “I know – fill in the blank – BUT…”
And, the truth is, if I were to give the details, I feel certain that most self-identifying Christians would identify with the circumstances and would understand my outrage. Because my response was a very natural, regular, normal human response. The problem is that it was the response of the Fallen Self and not of the Spirit of Christ within me.
It’s important to note that most of this was happening on the inside, within my thoughts, heart, and emotions. There was no outburst or overt outward reaction. The average person viewing the situation that so angered me would not have discerned what was going on within me. But the Holy Spirit revealed that despite all my justifications and rationalizations, my internal and external responses were not coming from the Spirit of Christ but from the Fallen Self.
The unavoidable reality that every disciple of Jesus must come to terms with is that our thoughts, words, and actions tell us the truth. And though we’ll often go to great lengths to dodge or explain this reality away, the New Testament is relentless in the insistence that our attitudes, words, and actions don’t create the spring from which they flow; they reveal it.
Jesus said, “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. For each tree is known by its own fruit. Indeed, grapes are not gathered from thornbushes, nor figs from thistles…For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.”
So, I was confronted with the fact that despite my deep love for Christ and commitment to following Him, there remained within me a deep place that needed the light of truth and the Spirit of Christ to bear on it. That meant naming the source I was living and reacting from, repenting of it, and asking Jesus to bring His Spirit to reign in that place so that I could forgive as He forgives and love as He loves.
I couldn’t blame someone else or the situation for my responses and reactions. They were wholly my responsibility, despite what the situation might have been. When I allow disobedience to reign in me, that’s on me, not anyone else.
So, what does any of this have to do with this series?
What does it have to do with a disciple’s response to politics in America?
And further, what does it have to do with my change of mind?
Everything, actually.
Because of this situation, I’ve decided that I’ve been wrong about Donald Trump and his influence on the Body of Christ.
I’ll give you a moment with that. Hopefully, it will help you embrace what follows.
For the past eight years, out of deep love for my fellow Christians who ardently support DJT, I have blamed him and his influence for the often ugly, contradictory, and very un-like-Jesus-ness that’s so dominated so many Christians’ words, actions, and attitudes in the political realm. Despite the profound cognitive dissonance I was experiencing, I couldn’t bring myself to blame them. My thoughts always returned to the same internal conflict, “I know these people. I love them. They love Jesus. What the…Felgercarb is going on here?” (Only you Buck Rogers fans will get that reference.) How can they possibly stand behind and align with this man and his agenda??
So, I held DJT responsible.
As a result, on several occasions, I have had Christian friends push back and ask, “How is it justifiable to blame someone else for the words and actions of others?” I acknowledged the issue, but talked about the importance and responsibility of influence, especially for those with a very big microphone. In the midst of this conversation, however, one friend told a story about an incident she witnessed in Costco where a belligerent white man accosted another patron for speaking Spanish, shouting, “You’re in America now; speak English!” Someone else in the store said something to the effect, “You can thank Donald Trump for that!” to which my friend responded, “Donald Trump isn’t here. That man is responsible for his own words and attitude.”
That struck a chord for me.
Fair enough. That insight is completely in line with all Jesus said about what comes from the mouth emanates from the heart. So, apologies to DJT for blaming him for the words and actions of disciples that don’t reflect the heart or teachings of Jesus. He’s not to blame for the words, actions and attitudes of other people.
When I’m wrong, I say I’m wrong.
But, that leaves us with a bit of a dilemma.
If DJT is not to blame for disciples of Jesus embracing words and actions contrary to basic New Testament principles, even when those words, attitudes, and actions are mimicked from DJT, who then IS culpable?
The unavoidable answer is also obvious.
I’ve watched the American church wrestle with these realities and twist ourselves into moral, theological, and ethical knots, attempting to justify ongoing support for what we know in our spirit is contrary to the Way of Jesus. It’s been both demoralizing and confounding. Somehow, despite the horrendous moral and ethical example DJT sets, the dehumanization and contempt he perpetuates toward others, and the influence he exerts on Christians to exhibit those same unChristlike values, words, and actions, we still find a way to say, with all sincerity, that it’s consistent with the Gospel. The ends justify the means. Right?
Because, you know, the “Haitians are eating the dogs” and all that.
Deep within, however, if we are truly seeking the heart of Christ, we know it isn’t compatible. And the ends don’t justify the means. You certainly won’t find justification for that sentiment in the scriptures.
So, what’s the problem? What’s the explanation for this ongoing and obvious contradiction?
Simply stated, it’s that even as forgiven, redeemed people, we routinely live from the wrong source. Individually and collectively, we’re producing the fruit of thorns and thistles because that’s the source we’re drawing from.
The Fallen Self is a profoundly powerful and deceptive presence whose influence most of us are completely blind to on a daily basis. As I discussed earlier, it’s so entangled within our subconscious and our psyche and so natural to the human condition that it typically goes unrecognized. That invisibility underscored what a deceptive force it is because the New Testament is far from silent on this topic. In fact, it goes into exquisite and crystal-clear detail describing the characteristics that flow from the Fallen Self.
And it contrasts those characteristics with the “fruit” that comes from living from the Spirit of Christ that is resident in every redeemed person.
A compilation of those characteristics from Galatians 5:13-26, Colossians 3:1-17, Ephesians 4:17-32, I Corinthians 13:1-13, and James 3:1-18 shows us some very glaring contrasts between living from the source that is the Fallen Self and living from the Spirit of Christ.
Paul says in Galatians 5:19, “the acts of the sinful nature are obvious,” and then launches into a list that includes things like:
· Greed/Covetousness · Anger · Rage · Malice · Slander · Filthy language · Lying/Falsehood · Hatred · Discord | · Jealousy · Fits of Rage · Selfish Ambition · Dissensions · Factions · Envy · Conceit/Vanity/Pride · Provoking others · Boasting · Cursing others
|
It’s hardly necessary at this stage to point out that DJT continually displays all these actions and attitudes. That’s a big enough problem when it’s just DJT being DJT. It’s an entirely different concern when these same words, actions, and internal attitudes are adopted by professing Christians. We see many, particularly on social media, displaying the same kinds of vitriol and rhetoric in support of him and his ideology. It’s staggering to watch. But miraculously, no matter how flagrant the contradiction, we give both him and ourselves a pass.
Just today, a self-identifying Christian politician tweeted the following:
Soon after, another outspoken Christian political leader brushed aside people's understandable outrage and backlash, saying that this politician was "a very principled man and that he probably regretted the language he used." One can't help but be confounded by the eye-watering contradiction. What of the condition of the heart from which these clearly unChristlike sentiments spring? The speaker finished by, saying "we move on... we believe in redemption around here."
Hmm. Redemption that doesn't involve repentance? Redemption that doesn't involve public apologies to an entire people group you've publically maligned? Just so it's clear, that's not what scriptural redemption looks like; that's dodging truth and hiding sinful words and actions behind a facade of "grace."
But we’re still following Jesus. Right?
The deeper reality that I believe many of us refuse to face is that at one level, it’s not the outward, flagrant inconsistencies that are most concerning. Those are at least out there for us to see, like the post by this lawmaker. It’s the deceptive way that the Fallen Self resonates and agrees with the subtle but deeply unChristlike attitudes that undergird the words and actions that we must face.
When we don’t outwardly express the words and actions, it’s really easy to wave away the concerns raised about how idolatrous and blasphemous DJT and his staunchest fans are, thinking, “I’m just about the policy.” But is that REALLY true? Is it not also that something within us agrees with, and finds alignment with, those attitudes? Is there not the gentlest of satisfaction in hearing DJT or others mock and ridicule the people we disagree with or see as a threat? Isn’t there some level of glee when we come across a MEME or video that belittles others that we consider our opposition?
Ponder that momentarily, and let the Holy Spirit ask the question.
The great value of these characteristics listed in scripture is that they provide us with a precise and objective measuring tool for determining at any given moment, what source we are living from as we think, speak, and act. It’s an easy process. All we have to do is honestly compare our attitudes, words, and actions against the list.
Do I harbor malice (ill will) toward others? We routinely see such directed at “the libs,” the “gays,” the “Demonrats,” of the “illegals”, to name just a few. The scriptures say that’s an expression of the Fallen Self.
Do I slander or denigrate those same people or groups? The scriptures say that’s an expression of the Fallen Self.
Do I prioritize money over people? Or “the economy,” “my stuff.”, “my rights” over the rights and needs of others? The scriptures say that’s an expression of the Fallen Self.
Do I pass on or privately laugh at dehumanizing Memes and videos containing denigrating lies about individuals or people groups? The scriptures say that’s an act of the Fallen Self.
Do I overlook Romans 13 and chant “Let’s Go Brandon” with a crowd at a concert or rally? Do I chuckle at an AI-generated image of the Vice President on her knees in a suggestive posture with her head in DJT’s lap? The scriptures say that’s an expression of the Fallen Self.
The examples could go on, but the point is clear. So much of what is afoot among the Body of Christ springs from the Fallen Self, rather than the teachings of Jesus or the wider scripture.
But, the thing is, so much of it feels so good to embrace precisely because it flows from the deepest, natural place of our brokenness. That’s not me making a judgment. That’s just a simple summary of 4-5 robust sections of the New Testament.
But, I hear the “YeahButWudaBout” crowd pushing back “You’re not being balanced, what about the DEMOCRATS????!?!?!?!?!!?!
<sigh>
Two things about that. First, 82% of evangelical Christians voted for DJT. Christians routinely declare that the Republican party is the party that most aligns with “godly principles.” Republican, we say, is the party of Jesus. We even routinely shout, "No true Christian could ever vote Democrat." We are the folks who fly flags boasting that “Jesus is my Savior, but Trump is my President.” Ok, fair enough. But, if that's true, if Republicans are indeed the party of Jesus and godly principles, then it naturally follows that there should be no problem testing that against scripture.
We don't get to dodge truth just because error exists somewhere else. That's like getting stopped for speeding and assuming the officer should let you off just because you yell, "What about the child molesters and murderers?!"
But, secondly, the “YeahButWudaBout” response is very often itself a response of the Fallen Self. You might notice that prior to the last two paragraphs, I haven’t said anything about parties at all. Just attitudes, words, and actions. The list above, nor the one to follow, are partisan. Ultimately, they are not really about politics at all; they are about humanity. They are, to steal Brant Hansen’s phrase, the scriptural “truth about us.”
So, wherever you find the characteristics listed above, whether it be in the attitudes, words, and actions of Republicans, Democrats, or otherwise, you can be sure that it’s the Fallen Self in operation. And one of the key indicators that the Fallen Self is driving the bus of our lives is when we seek to wiggle out from under the truth that’s rubbing against us by pointing to someone or something else.
That’s what Adam did. It’s your fault, God. It was that woman you gave me.
The only true and honest response for the disciple of Jesus is repentance, not projection or seeking to dodge the truth.
The great news is, it’s just as easy to determine when we’re living from the source of the Spirit of Christ within us. The same scriptures quoted above give us another list.
Including what Paul describes as “The Fruit of the Spirit” The list includes:
· Love · Joy · Peace · Patience · Kindness · Gentleness · Faithfulness · Goodness · Self-Control · Compassion · Humility · Forgiveness · Thankfulness/Gratefulness · Not envious | · Not boastful · Not proud · Not dishonoring of others · Not self-seeking · Not easily angered · Keeping no record of wrongs · Not delighting in evil · Rejoicing with the Truth · Peace Loving · Considerate · Submissive · Full of Mercy and good fruit · Impartial · Sincere |
As with the Fallen Self, we can also know when we are “walking in the Spirit” (Galatians 5) when we see those qualities emerging from us. It is, more precisely, “No longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20)
Having compassion on and meeting the needs of the immigrant who’s endured a harrowing journey to get away from debilitating poverty and political violence? That’s the Spirit of Christ.
Considering the position, opinion, and needs of others as more important than our own?
That’s the Spirit of Christ.
Being patient with and kind to those we disagree with? That’s the Spirit of Christ.
Seeking what’s good for all and not just ourselves? That’s the Spirit of Christ.
Refusing to give place to division, hatred, fear, and animosity? That’s the Spirit of Christ.
That list could also be endless.
Collectively, as the Body of Christ, it’s time we wake from the spell cast by the Fallen Self that leads us to espouse things in earthbound politics that stand in stark contrast to the Gospel. If there is to be any reality to the idea of discipleship – of “following”– Jesus, there is no alternative but to allow the light of scripture to illuminate the dark places where the Fallen Self reigns and continues to influence our thoughts, ideas, words, and actions.
No matter how raw the place is where that truth rubs.
We don’t gather grapes from thornbushes nor figs from thistles. A tree is known by its fruit.
So, I close this very long segment with the question, “what do you see emerging in and from you as you engage in the realm of politics?” If you truly want to know, just listen to your attitudes, words, and actions.
They will tell you the truth.
They did for me.
Comments