Addressing the Evil in our Culture

Not long ago, I taught from Romans 1:18-32.  Reading and thinking about this passage brings up a host of important questions.

One frequent question asks, "How should Christians (operating from a Biblical viewpoint) address the evil that seems to multiply in our culture?"  One can quickly list how evil is growing --

• millions of abortions each year
• increasing, inhumane violence in entertainment and sports
• distorted sexual practices and addictions
• public and personal dishonesty as a way of living

Those committed to Jesus Christ in faith and life, and seeking to make a difference in a culture that is degenerating in the acceptance of sinful practices, wonder what kind of role they should have in calling out sin, standing against it, and perhaps even "turning the tide" the other way. 

ONE APPROACH-SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL

The desire to make a godly difference in one's culture and society is a good one.  We are to be "salt and light."  Paul urges that we not engage in the deeds of darkness in our day, but rather "show that they are wrong" (Ephesians 5:11, NCV).  We are children of the light.

But how?  One common mistake that occurs among Christians is the insistence by some that we all "show that these things are wrong" in the same way.  For example, some believe the best way to do this is in public demonstrations, or even in confrontational approaches like letters to the paper that tell-it-like-it-is from Scripture's perspective.  These well-meaning believers are convinced that the best approach is "speaking out," insisting that our convictions and voice be heard in the public forum.

There is nothing necessarily wrong about such an approach.  It may well be what God's Spirit is leading some to do.  The mistake is insisting that any one approach should be, and must be, adopted by all, and if not, then "something is wrong."

On the flip side, there are others that believe that a quieter, more relational, even one-on-one approach of influence, perhaps that of less-confrontational love, is the more effective way to make a long term difference.  These too may insist that the less confrontational approach is the best way, and could be inclined to insist that those jousting in the public arena are doing more harm than good, and should desist.

LET THE CONVICTION UNIFY, LET THE STRATEGIES VARY

One thing you learn from reading both the examples and teaching of Scripture is that while the truth we have from God is indeed truth, the approaches to communicating that truth and influencing our world can be different.  God's Spirit leads various Jesus followers to impact their culture and world in different ways.  No one should insist that "the way I am doing it must be the way you do it."

We are called by God's word to share God's perspective on what evil is and the kinds of consequences evil brings to our living environments--to our neighborhoods and schools and cities and states, and even to our country.  We can honor God by clearly communicating to our culture, through our life and our words, the eschewing evil and seeking God's righteousness is the better course to take as a community or nation. 

Most important is for each of us, as committed Jesus followers, to ask God's Spirit how He would have us impact our world for Christ, and for righteousness, and follow His leading.  It may be the same as the way your fellow Christian is being led.  But then again, it may be different.

If the Spirit of God is leading each of us, and we are responding, it's all good.