EP 107: Pause, Pray, Then Post: Christian Unity
Digest
This episode delves into the critical importance of Christian unity, expressing deep concern over the online discord and arguments prevalent within the body of Christ. The host encourages listeners to embody Christ-like qualities such as humility, gentleness, and patience, drawing from Ephesians 4. The discussion emphasizes that true Christian identity is marked by love for one another, as commanded by Jesus in John 13, and defined by the characteristics outlined in 1 Corinthians 13. The episode stresses the need for thoughtful responses over immediate reactions, advocating for pausing, praying, and seeking wisdom before engaging in disagreements online. It critiques hypocrisy, political polarization within the church, and the tendency to prioritize secondary issues over core commandments. The host calls for Christians to be known for their love, to see others as image bearers, and to align their actions with God's word, ultimately urging a return to foundational principles of love, grace, and unity, rather than division and self-justification. The episode also includes advertisements for the Earn-In app and Brooklyn Bedding mattresses.
Outlines
Introduction and Invitation to "The Village"
The episode begins with a personal invitation to join "The Village" on Patreon, highlighting benefits like early access, exclusive content, and community events.
Grief Over Disunity and Online Discord
The host expresses deep sadness over the discord and arguing observed within the Christian community online, questioning if online behavior reflects Christ-like discipleship and elaborating on the dishonoring behavior seen among Christians online.
Solo Episodes and Team Support
The host discusses the initial challenge of recording solo episodes, expressing gratitude for her discerning team who supported this direction, and how they will participate as guests.
Biblical Call to Unity, Humility, and Love
The host reads Ephesians 4, urging listeners to live worthy of their calling with humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another in love to maintain the unity of the Spirit. This section also emphasizes evaluating personal heart and actions before criticizing others and highlights the scriptural emphasis on unity.
Divisions Within the Church and Seeking God's Heart
The host identifies various divisions within the church, such as political, racial, and theological differences, which lead to arguments and a lack of unity. She expresses a desire for her feelings to align with God's feelings regarding the disunity in the church.
Community Perception and Dr. Sarita's Counsel
The host posits that greater church unity would lead to Christianity being perceived as a community rather than an industry. She shares advice from Dr. Sarita to pray for sensitivity to what grieves the Lord, aligning emotions with God's heart.
The Challenge of Disagreement and Respectful Interaction
The host acknowledges the difficulty of disagreeing respectfully, reiterating that unity does not mean uniformity but unifying over core biblical principles. She emphasizes seeing others as image bearers of God, deserving of dignity regardless of agreement, and approaching disagreements with a focus on God's perspective. God's word is stressed as the ultimate authority.
Defining Love and Patience in Responses
The host references John 13:34, highlighting Christ's command to love one another. She delves into 1 Corinthians 13, outlining the characteristics of love and emphasizing what love is *not*. Love is explained as manifesting through patience, not just with others, but also with oneself in thoughts and responses.
The Importance of Pausing, Praying, and Deliberate Response
The host advises pausing and praying before reacting to online content, especially when disagreeing, to seek God's wisdom. She contrasts immediate online reactions with a more considered approach, emphasizing that typing out a response is already a pause. Patience is stressed in both online and in-person interactions.
Advertisement: Earn-In App
This segment is an advertisement for the Earn-In app, which allows users to access earned wages before their payday, offering financial flexibility without traditional loan drawbacks.
The Danger of Posting Online and Social Media's Impact
The host suggests that reaching the point of posting online with strong emotions indicates a disregard for patience and kindness. She reflects on how social media has normalized behaviors that contradict Christian values, making it harder to maintain a positive witness.
The Need for Rest and Advertisement: Brooklyn Bedding
The host discusses the importance of rest and its impact on emotions. This is followed by an advertisement for Brooklyn Bedding mattresses, highlighting their comfort and features.
Public Correction vs. Private Counsel and Accountability
The host discusses when public correction is appropriate, emphasizing the preference for private counsel and offering individuals a chance for private clarification. She acknowledges that certain public actions warrant public accountability but distinguishes this from dissecting every sermon or minor issue.
Prayer vs. Public Condemnation and Biblical Examples
The host questions whether more time is spent praying for people than publicly persecuting them, urging a focus on sincere prayer. She uses the biblical example of Nathan advising King David privately to illustrate a model for offering correction without public humiliation.
Processing Emotions and Responding to Societal Issues
The host shares a personal rule of giving herself time to process strong emotions before acting, involving prayer and seeking wise counsel. She explains her process for addressing broad issues, emphasizing prayer and wise counsel before making a public statement.
Love as Primary Motivation and Giving Space for Correction
The host reiterates that love must remain the primary motivation, regardless of agreement. She advises against immediate reactions, encouraging listeners to give themselves space, pause, and pray, recognizing that God may deal with individuals directly.
The Broadness of Pride and Self-Centering in Correction
The host discusses how pride can manifest in thinking it's one's job to correct others, emphasizing that the Lord doesn't need individuals to take on His role. She identifies a common mistake where people center themselves in the need to correct others, rather than relying on God's guidance.
Quick Response vs. Thoughtful Action and Romans 12
The host challenges listeners to be quick to respond in honorable ways, not just in criticism, but in all actions, avoiding hypocrisy. She references Romans, emphasizing the need for careful thought to do what is honorable in everyone's eyes.
Hypocrisy and Love Without Hypocrisy
The host calls out hypocrisy, using the example of being pro-life for the unborn but not for other vulnerable groups. She connects hypocrisy to Romans 12:9, emphasizing that love should be without hypocrisy.
Holding Leaders Accountable and Avoiding Gentile-like Behavior
The host argues that if one is quick to praise a leader, they should also be quick to hold them accountable. She warns against Christians becoming like the Gentiles, who disregard evil and act based on feelings.
True Christianity vs. Perceived Christianity and Consistency
The host distinguishes between being a true Christian and acting like one based on personal feelings. She critiques the inconsistency of being pro-life for abortion but not for other issues, stressing that life is life.
Expertise in Love and Making the Main Thing Primary
The host challenges listeners to become experts in love, humility, and patience before pursuing expertise in other fields, prioritizing Christ's core commands. She expresses frustration with Christians prioritizing secondary issues over the core commandments of loving God and others.
Focus on Being Christian, Not Politics, and Christ's Example
The host clarifies that the discussion is about acting as a Christian, regardless of political affiliation. She highlights Christ's consistent kindness, meekness, and love towards everyone as a model for believers.
Dehumanization vs. Love and Christian Upbringing
The host condemns the act of dehumanizing others, emphasizing that every life is precious. She questions the upbringing of individuals who treat others poorly, suggesting that even basic morals dictate better treatment.
Extreme Statements, Christian Identity, and Christ as Balance
The host finds it alarming when individuals make extreme statements and still claim to be Christian. She believes Christ is the only one who brings balance, suggesting that extreme stances indicate a distance from God.
Voting Convictions, Public Alignment, and Alignment with God's Word
The host believes individuals should vote their convictions but finds public alignment with specific political sides problematic. She asserts that true alignment should be with God's word and Him, not with political parties.
Heavenly Citizenship and God's Sovereignty in Leadership
The host reminds listeners that their ultimate citizenship is in heaven. She acknowledges God's sovereignty in placing leaders, urging trust in His wisdom and plan.
Political Climate Exposing Hearts and Love Transcending Disagreement
The host observes that the current political climate reveals people's true hearts and their commitment to loving God and people. She emphasizes that disagreement on political views does not grant license to withhold love.
The Urgency of Pause, Pray, and Reflect for Unity
The host urges listeners to pause, pray, and reflect before reacting, acknowledging that everyone has errors and needs to show up better in unity. She encourages active participation in the unity of the body of Christ.
Curiosity Over Criticism and Humility
The host advocates for approaching disagreements with curiosity, seeking understanding before offering criticism. She stresses the importance of humility, recognizing that humans are not omniscient.
Understanding Motives, Offering Grace, and Repaying Evil with Good
The host suggests that posts might stem from pain and require intercession, emphasizing the need to reach out with love and prayer rather than judgment. She reiterates that Christians are called not to repay evil with evil but to respond with love and grace.
The Goal: Help or Self-Justification? and Love is Not Self-Seeking
The host questions the motive behind online responses: is it to help or to be right? She references 1 Corinthians 13, highlighting that love is not self-seeking.
Aiming for God's Glory and John 13: The Mark of a Disciple
The host challenges listeners to consider their ultimate aim: to look good or to magnify God. She returns to John 13, emphasizing that being known as a disciple hinges on loving one another with humility and maintaining unity.
The Need for Humble Pie and Loving Enemies
The host stresses the necessity of humility within the body of Christ, suggesting many need a dose of "humble pie." She references the Beatitudes, challenging listeners to love their enemies and respond to adversity with prayer.
The Message Version on Loving Enemies and Diverse Opinions
The host quotes The Message version of the Bible, which encourages loving enemies. She points out that it's easy to love like-minded people, but true love requires effort, especially when surrounded by diverse opinions.
The Danger of Echo Chambers and Disagreement for Growth
The host describes echo chambers as places hindering growth. She values being around people who think differently and challenge her, seeing disagreement as an opportunity for growth.
Unity vs. Uniformity and Oneness in Spirit
The host reiterates that unity does not mean uniformity, emphasizing that differences are acceptable. She clarifies that God calls for oneness in spirit, not sameness in thought or action.
Objective Observation of Christian Content and Being Known for Love
The host explains her motivation for the conversation: to objectively observe Christian content. She desires for Christians to be known for loving God and one another, contrasting this with observed online arguments.
Lack of Inter-Religious Discord and the \"Thou Shalt Beef\" Mentality
The host notes the lack of public discord among other religions online compared to Christians. She humorously describes a mentality where arguing seems like a commandment among Christians.
Free Will, Responsibility, and Exercising Free Will for Attack
The host discusses how free will presents challenges and that many Christians have chosen to use it to attack one another online. She encourages reading Ephesians 4 in context with chapters 1-3.
Romans: In View of God's Mercies and Maintaining Unity
The host references Romans, emphasizing that actions should be motivated by God's mercies. She highlights the call to "maintain unity," emphasizing it's a responsibility to preserve what God has already established.
Participating in Unity and Accountability for Every Word
The host poses the question of how each individual participates in the unity of the body of Christ. She references Matthew 12:36, reminding listeners they will be held accountable for every careless word spoken.
Obedience in Speech and Avoiding Added Wrath
The host stresses that accountability for words demands obedience to God's instructions. She questions why one would add more wrath upon themselves by acting on negative thoughts or attitudes.
Stop, Wait, Look Both Ways and Unbelief in Justice
The host reiterates the message to pause, wait, and consider before acting, especially when dealing with anger. She suggests the desire for immediate justice can stem from unbelief in God's ultimate justice.
God's Justice, Free Will, and \"Be Angry, But Sin Not\"
The host affirms God's justice and sovereignty, emphasizing responsible use of free will. She quotes Ephesians 4:26, clarifying that anger is an emotion, but acting on it sinfully is the issue.
Anger Aligned with God's Anger and the Jonah Complex
The host explains that God wants believers to be angry about the things He is angry about. She discusses the "Jonah complex," where individuals avoid ministering to people they dislike.
Siding with the Lord for Unity and Aligning with God or Satan
The host urges listeners to side with the Lord, who calls for unity, rather than participating in disunity. She concludes that the real choice is between aligning with God's work or Satan's work.
The Safest Response: Silence and Not Required to Speak on Everything
The host suggests that when unsure, the safest response is often silence. She acknowledges having opinions but emphasizes she is not required to voice every opinion.
Stop Demanding Influencers Speak Out and Influencers Are Not Christ
The host advises against demanding influencers comment on every issue, as their primary responsibility is to speak what the Lord directs. She reminds listeners that influencers are not Christ.
Social Media as an Enemy Trap and Increased Accountability
The host views social media as a potential trap from the enemy, making it easier for Christians to engage in divisive behavior. She notes that Christians today face greater accountability due to digital platforms.
The Enemy's Work is Easy and the Urgency of Christ's Return
The host observes that the enemy doesn't need to work hard because Christians often do his work through division. She emphasizes the urgency of Christ's return and the need to focus on doing the Lord's work.
Crucifying Flesh, Interrogating Hearts, and The Lord is the Sanctifier
The host calls for self-examination and purifying one's heart. She reminds listeners that only the Lord sanctifies, and their focus should be on His work in their own lives.
Encouraging, Exhorting, Praying, and Knowing Your Role
The host encourages listeners to encourage, exhort, and pray for one another, showing grace and love. She stresses the importance of understanding one's role in God's plan and not overstepping boundaries.
Protecting Our Witness and Doing Better as Christians
The host urges listeners to protect their Christian witness, as current behavior is not reflecting well on the faith. She calls for improvement in how Christians interact, urging a higher standard of behavior.
Prayer for Encouragement, Conviction, and Being Known as Disciples
The host concludes with a prayer for the episode to encourage and convict listeners, asking for help in aligning with God's word. She prays for listeners to be known as disciples through their love for one another.
Protecting Witness, Drawing People to God, and Conclusion
The host prays for Christians to protect their witness and draw people closer to God. She thanks the audience and encourages engagement with the episode's content.
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Keywords
Christian Unity
The state of harmony, solidarity, and shared purpose among Christians, emphasizing love, mutual respect, and adherence to core biblical principles despite differences in opinion or background.
Body of Christ
Refers to the Christian concept of the Church as a unified entity, with believers as individual members united under Christ as the head. It emphasizes interconnectedness, mutual support, and shared purpose within the faith community.
Online Discord
Refers to disagreements, arguments, and conflicts that occur on digital platforms, particularly concerning religious or ideological topics, often characterized by harsh language and lack of civility.
Humility and Gentleness
Virtues central to Christian character, involving a modest view of one's own importance and a kind, mild disposition towards others. These are essential for maintaining peace and unity within the faith community.
Love as a Disciple's Mark
The core Christian teaching, originating from Jesus' command (John 13:35), that genuine love for one another is the primary identifier of His followers, superseding doctrinal correctness or outward actions.
Patience in Response
The virtue of enduring delays, difficulties, or provocations without becoming angry or upset. In a Christian context, it involves thoughtful consideration and self-control before reacting, especially in disagreements.
Image Bearer
The theological concept that humans are created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:27), implying inherent dignity, value, and worth that should be respected in all interactions.
Accountability for Words
The biblical principle that individuals will be held responsible for every word they speak or communicate, emphasizing the need for careful consideration and godly speech, especially in public forums like social media.
Maintaining Unity
The active effort required to preserve the harmony and oneness within the Christian community, as established by God, rather than creating it. This involves continuous commitment and participation from all believers.
Godly Community
A supportive group of individuals focused on shared faith and spiritual growth, encouraging members to live according to biblical principles and support each other.
Q&A
What is the main concern expressed by the host regarding the Christian community online?
The host expresses deep grief and concern over the significant discord, arguing, and dishonoring behavior observed among Christians online, questioning if such actions reflect true Christian discipleship and love for one another.
How does the host suggest Christians should approach disagreements, especially online?
The host emphasizes the importance of pausing, praying, and evaluating one's own heart and motives before responding. She advocates for seeing others as image bearers, approaching discussions with humility, gentleness, and patience, and prioritizing love as the defining characteristic of a disciple.
What biblical passages are highlighted to support the discussion on unity and love?
Key passages include Ephesians 4, which calls for humility, gentleness, and patience to maintain the unity of the Spirit, and John 13:34-35, where Jesus commands His disciples to love one another as the sign by which they will be known. 1 Corinthians 13 is also discussed to define the characteristics of love.
What is the difference between unity and uniformity in the context of the church?
Unity, as discussed, refers to oneness in spirit and purpose, bonded by shared faith in Christ, while uniformity implies sameness in thought, opinion, or practice. The host stresses that God calls for unity, not uniformity, allowing for diverse perspectives within the body of Christ.
How does the host address the issue of public correction versus private counsel?
While acknowledging that some public actions may warrant public correction (citing biblical examples like Paul confronting Peter), the host generally advocates for private counsel and offering individuals the opportunity for clarification privately, emphasizing the importance of relationship and avoiding public humiliation.
What is the \"Jonah complex\" and how does it relate to Christian interactions?
The "Jonah complex" describes the reluctance to share the Gospel or show compassion to people one dislikes or disagrees with. The host uses this to illustrate how some Christians avoid ministering to those they have "beef" with, hindering God's work and demonstrating a hardened heart.
What is the ultimate choice Christians face regarding their online interactions?
The host frames the choice not as political (left vs. right) but as aligning oneself with either the Lord's work (promoting unity, love, and truth) or Satan's work (promoting disunity, discord, and degradation).
What is the significance of \"maintaining unity\" as mentioned in Ephesians 4?
"Maintaining unity" implies that unity is already established by God, and believers have a responsibility to actively preserve it. This requires effort, participation, and a commitment to honoring the bond of peace within the body of Christ.
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Early subscribers gain access to watch "In Totality" episodes, exclusive behind-the-scenes content, and the "In Totality" docu-series, which functions like a personal vlog.
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What is the significance of finding a godly community and a Bible-based church?
These communities are important for growing in faith, being rooted in love, and fostering spiritual development through shared beliefs and biblical teachings.
Show Notes
This week, I’m back with the team to talk about the importance of pausing to pray and seek God's direction as Christians, before we publicly respond to things online, or create content for public consumption that dishonors others.
We’re living in a time where everyone feels pressure to react quickly, share every opinion, and defend every point of view. But as believers, we are not called to move at the speed of society. We are called to move in step with the Spirit. And sometimes that means being quiet long enough to pray, examine our hearts, and ask whether what we’re about to say is actually producing the kind of unity Jesus prayed for.
If you've felt grieved by the division online within the Christian body, or even if you've been trusted with your own platform and wondered, “Do I need to respond to everything?” or “How do I stand firm without sowing division?” I pray this episode reminds you—not every moment needs your reaction, but every moment does require a thoughtful response in love.
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