Why Christians Have Become the Problem

If your social media feed is like mine, If your social media feed is like mine, it looks like people are losing their it looks like people are losing their it looks like people are losing their minds, and Christians are part of the minds, and Christians are part of the minds, and Christians are part of the problem. My feed has gotten more and problem. My feed has gotten more and problem. My feed has gotten more and more polarized, more partisan, more more polarized, more partisan, more more polarized, more partisan, more angry. It's gotten bizarre. Okay, it's angry. It's gotten bizarre. Okay, it's angry. It's gotten bizarre. Okay, it's downright weird at times, and I wish I downright weird at times, and I wish I downright weird at times, and I wish I could tell you that Christians were the could tell you that Christians were the could tell you that Christians were the healing part of my feed, but that's not healing part of my feed, but that's not healing part of my feed, but that's not the case. Christians have been sucked the case. Christians have been sucked the case. Christians have been sucked into the nastiness, the division, the into the nastiness, the division, the into the nastiness, the division, the partisanship along with everybody else. partisanship along with everybody else. partisanship along with everybody else. And often Christians aren't providing an And often Christians aren't providing an And often Christians aren't providing an alternative to the anger and outrage alternative to the anger and outrage alternative to the anger and outrage online, they're fueling it. And here's online, they're fueling it. And here's online, they're fueling it. And here's what I think is at stake. When what I think is at stake. When what I think is at stake. When Christians lose their minds, people lose Christians lose their minds, people lose Christians lose their minds, people lose their faith. I shudder to think about their faith. I shudder to think about their faith. I shudder to think about how many people are actually losing how many people are actually losing how many people are actually losing faith right now because Christians are faith right now because Christians are faith right now because Christians are losing their minds online. So, let's losing their minds online. So, let's losing their minds online. So, let's talk about it because there are talk about it because there are talk about it because there are definitely important matters at stake definitely important matters at stake definitely important matters at stake right now. There's deep division, racial right now. There's deep division, racial right now. There's deep division, racial dehumanization, changes to our climate, dehumanization, changes to our climate, dehumanization, changes to our climate, economic hardship, deep polarizing economic hardship, deep polarizing economic hardship, deep polarizing political divisions, and these are political divisions, and these are political divisions, and these are pressing issues with implications for pressing issues with implications for pressing issues with implications for generations to come. And I get how hard generations to come. And I get how hard generations to come. And I get how hard it is. Like, sometimes I get it I get it is. Like, sometimes I get it I get it is. Like, sometimes I get it I get frustrated. I get upset, and I'm tempted frustrated. I get upset, and I'm tempted frustrated. I get upset, and I'm tempted to lash out at people with my words and to lash out at people with my words and to lash out at people with my words and my viewpoints, too, because I'm going to my viewpoints, too, because I'm going to my viewpoints, too, because I'm going to set the internet straight. But, here's set the internet straight. But, here's set the internet straight. But, here's the thing, public discourse should be the thing, public discourse should be the thing, public discourse should be different than private emotions. Social different than private emotions. Social different than private emotions. Social media has moved us all into public media has moved us all into public media has moved us all into public discourse, and the world is watching.

discourse, and the world is watching. discourse, and the world is watching. Your friends are watching. Unchurched Your friends are watching. Unchurched Your friends are watching. Unchurched people are watching Christians. people are watching Christians. people are watching Christians. Christians should be fueling the Christians should be fueling the Christians should be fueling the solution, not fueling the problem. And solution, not fueling the problem. And solution, not fueling the problem. And in a season where the church should be in a season where the church should be in a season where the church should be gaining ground by many measures, we're gaining ground by many measures, we're gaining ground by many measures, we're actually still losing it. So, I want to actually still losing it. So, I want to actually still losing it. So, I want to give you three reasons why I think this give you three reasons why I think this give you three reasons why I think this matters more than you think, and then matters more than you think, and then matters more than you think, and then five things you can actually do about five things you can actually do about five things you can actually do about it. Reason number one, influence takes years Reason number one, influence takes years to build and seconds to lose. to build and seconds to lose. to build and seconds to lose. John Maxwell is totally right. John Maxwell is totally right. John Maxwell is totally right. Leadership at its heart is influence. Leadership at its heart is influence. Leadership at its heart is influence. And the hardest part about influence is And the hardest part about influence is And the hardest part about influence is that it takes years and years to build, that it takes years and years to build, that it takes years and years to build, seconds to lose it. So, in any post, any seconds to lose it. So, in any post, any seconds to lose it. So, in any post, any little rant, any video text, you know, a little rant, any video text, you know, a little rant, any video text, you know, a moment in a message, a sermon, or a link moment in a message, a sermon, or a link moment in a message, a sermon, or a link to some weird website spouting the to some weird website spouting the to some weird website spouting the latest bizarre theory, you're either latest bizarre theory, you're either latest bizarre theory, you're either building influence or diminishing it. building influence or diminishing it. building influence or diminishing it. And people are either going to trust you And people are either going to trust you And people are either going to trust you more or trust you less. And if you're more or trust you less. And if you're more or trust you less. And if you're follower of Jesus, you believe the follower of Jesus, you believe the follower of Jesus, you believe the influence that you've been given isn't influence that you've been given isn't influence that you've been given isn't yours. It's a trust. You're leveraging yours. It's a trust. You're leveraging yours. It's a trust. You're leveraging it not just for your own sake, but for it not just for your own sake, but for it not just for your own sake, but for the sake of a cause, a whole lot bigger the sake of a cause, a whole lot bigger the sake of a cause, a whole lot bigger than you, a whole lot bigger than me.

than you, a whole lot bigger than me. than you, a whole lot bigger than me. And here's what's going to happen, And here's what's going to happen, And here's what's going to happen, you'll never even know it. All right, you'll never even know it. All right, you'll never even know it. All right, you say something, you're like, that'll you say something, you're like, that'll you say something, you're like, that'll show them. show them. show them. You know what the audience does You know what the audience does You know what the audience does sometimes if you do it wrong? They'll sometimes if you do it wrong? They'll sometimes if you do it wrong? They'll roll their eyes, they'll unfollow, and roll their eyes, they'll unfollow, and roll their eyes, they'll unfollow, and they'll decide that once again, they'll decide that once again, they'll decide that once again, Christians have lost credibility. Lose Christians have lost credibility. Lose Christians have lost credibility. Lose your influence with enough unchurched your influence with enough unchurched your influence with enough unchurched people, and you'll lose the mission. people, and you'll lose the mission. people, and you'll lose the mission. Reason number two, God isn't actually a Reason number two, God isn't actually a Reason number two, God isn't actually a Republican, Democrat, or independent. By Republican, Democrat, or independent. By Republican, Democrat, or independent. By definition, your church should include definition, your church should include definition, your church should include people who are different than you. This people who are different than you. This people who are different than you. This is true economically, racially, is true economically, racially, is true economically, racially, socially, and ideologically, socially, and ideologically, socially, and ideologically, which means it should include also which means it should include also which means it should include also people who vote differently than you do. people who vote differently than you do. people who vote differently than you do. 5 minutes in the New Testament is going 5 minutes in the New Testament is going 5 minutes in the New Testament is going to show you that the church has always to show you that the church has always to show you that the church has always been like that. God is not a Republican, been like that. God is not a Republican, been like that. God is not a Republican, he's not a Democrat, he's not he's not a Democrat, he's not he's not a Democrat, he's not conservative, he's not liberal, he's not conservative, he's not liberal, he's not conservative, he's not liberal, he's not a socialist, he transcends every a socialist, he transcends every a socialist, he transcends every political category, however important political category, however important political category, however important that might be to us. Now, look, politics that might be to us. Now, look, politics that might be to us. Now, look, politics matters, but it's never going to change matters, but it's never going to change matters, but it's never going to change the world the way the gospel can. Tim the world the way the gospel can. Tim the world the way the gospel can. Tim Keller had a a simple and profound Keller had a a simple and profound Keller had a a simple and profound answer on how Christians fit into the answer on how Christians fit into the answer on how Christians fit into the two-party system.

two-party system. two-party system. They don't. The gospel can't be reduced They don't. The gospel can't be reduced They don't. The gospel can't be reduced to a political platform. The church to a political platform. The church to a political platform. The church doesn't actually exist to elect or doesn't actually exist to elect or doesn't actually exist to elect or defeat politicians, it exists to glorify defeat politicians, it exists to glorify defeat politicians, it exists to glorify Jesus and grow his kingdom, which is an Jesus and grow his kingdom, which is an Jesus and grow his kingdom, which is an alternative kingdom to the kingdom of alternative kingdom to the kingdom of alternative kingdom to the kingdom of the world. This is something I remind the world. This is something I remind the world. This is something I remind myself of again and again because I have myself of again and again because I have myself of again and again because I have convictions, too. convictions, too. convictions, too. If God has all the same opinions your If God has all the same opinions your If God has all the same opinions your political party does, you're probably political party does, you're probably political party does, you're probably not worshipping God. Reason number not worshipping God. Reason number not worshipping God. Reason number three, the church is an alternative to three, the church is an alternative to three, the church is an alternative to the culture, not an echo of it. People the culture, not an echo of it. People the culture, not an echo of it. People don't just want to know what you think don't just want to know what you think don't just want to know what you think is right, they want to know what's real. is right, they want to know what's real. is right, they want to know what's real. And as a Christian leader, you're not And as a Christian leader, you're not And as a Christian leader, you're not pointing to yourself, right? You're pointing to yourself, right? You're pointing to yourself, right? You're pointing people to Jesus. If your church pointing people to Jesus. If your church pointing people to Jesus. If your church is just a reflection of some liberal or is just a reflection of some liberal or is just a reflection of some liberal or conservative ideology, you're going to conservative ideology, you're going to conservative ideology, you're going to lose the next generation because they're lose the next generation because they're lose the next generation because they're not looking for an echo of the culture, not looking for an echo of the culture, not looking for an echo of the culture, they're hungering for an alternative to they're hungering for an alternative to they're hungering for an alternative to it. Nobody is going to find life in your it. Nobody is going to find life in your it. Nobody is going to find life in your kingdom, they're going to find life in kingdom, they're going to find life in kingdom, they're going to find life in Jesus' kingdom, and getting louder only Jesus' kingdom, and getting louder only Jesus' kingdom, and getting louder only further erodes your influence. So, further erodes your influence. So, further erodes your influence. So, here's the thing. If only the problem here's the thing. If only the problem here's the thing. If only the problem was simple enough that other people were was simple enough that other people were was simple enough that other people were to blame, but as Alexander Solzhenitsyn to blame, but as Alexander Solzhenitsyn to blame, but as Alexander Solzhenitsyn has said, better than I ever could, the has said, better than I ever could, the has said, better than I ever could, the dividing line of good and evil cuts dividing line of good and evil cuts dividing line of good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being.

through the heart of every human being. through the heart of every human being. I think about that quote a lot, and I I think about that quote a lot, and I I think about that quote a lot, and I realize, yeah, I'm part of the problem realize, yeah, I'm part of the problem realize, yeah, I'm part of the problem as well. But here's what you can do, and as well. But here's what you can do, and as well. But here's what you can do, and this is the positive part. With some this is the positive part. With some this is the positive part. With some restraint, with some humility, sobriety, restraint, with some humility, sobriety, restraint, with some humility, sobriety, and wisdom, maybe you and I can be part and wisdom, maybe you and I can be part and wisdom, maybe you and I can be part of the solution, too. And here are five of the solution, too. And here are five of the solution, too. And here are five things that when I get them right, things that when I get them right, things that when I get them right, actually help me. Number one, focus on actually help me. Number one, focus on actually help me. Number one, focus on timeless truths more than temporary timeless truths more than temporary timeless truths more than temporary viewpoints. Viewpoints change, but truth viewpoints. Viewpoints change, but truth viewpoints. Viewpoints change, but truth doesn't. And the key to bringing a doesn't. And the key to bringing a doesn't. And the key to bringing a timely word is to anchor yourself in timely word is to anchor yourself in timely word is to anchor yourself in timeless truths. If you think about it, timeless truths. If you think about it, timeless truths. If you think about it, voices that have endured, whether it's voices that have endured, whether it's voices that have endured, whether it's Martin Luther King Jr., Dietrich Martin Luther King Jr., Dietrich Martin Luther King Jr., Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Nelson Mandela, they spoke Bonhoeffer, Nelson Mandela, they spoke Bonhoeffer, Nelson Mandela, they spoke into the violence and injustices of into the violence and injustices of into the violence and injustices of their day with a timeless word. Their their day with a timeless word. Their their day with a timeless word. Their positions tapped into deep biblical positions tapped into deep biblical positions tapped into deep biblical frameworks at a level that very few frameworks at a level that very few frameworks at a level that very few voices today do. So, the more deeply voices today do. So, the more deeply voices today do. So, the more deeply anchored your viewpoint is in timeless anchored your viewpoint is in timeless anchored your viewpoint is in timeless truth, the more deeply it's going to truth, the more deeply it's going to truth, the more deeply it's going to resonate. Mere opinions never carry that resonate. Mere opinions never carry that resonate. Mere opinions never carry that kind of weight. On the note of truth, kind of weight. On the note of truth, kind of weight. On the note of truth, I've got something I want to share with I've got something I want to share with I've got something I want to share with you. A lot of the conversation around you. A lot of the conversation around you. A lot of the conversation around artificial intelligence is focused on artificial intelligence is focused on artificial intelligence is focused on prompts, productivity, you know, which prompts, productivity, you know, which prompts, productivity, you know, which platform do you use? But for church platform do you use? But for church platform do you use? But for church leaders, I think the challenge is a lot leaders, I think the challenge is a lot leaders, I think the challenge is a lot deeper. And AI is going to exacerbate deeper. And AI is going to exacerbate deeper. And AI is going to exacerbate the problems we're talking about today the problems we're talking about today the problems we're talking about today even more because you can generate deep even more because you can generate deep even more because you can generate deep fakes and content at a whim and just, fakes and content at a whim and just, fakes and content at a whim and just, you know, the more inflammatory, the you know, the more inflammatory, the you know, the more inflammatory, the more views you get. So, I got a new more views you get. So, I got a new more views you get. So, I got a new book. It's called AI in the future book. It's called AI in the future book. It's called AI in the future church. It's being released this church. It's being released this church. It's being released this September and in it, I share a framework September and in it, I share a framework September and in it, I share a framework to help you make your ministry to help you make your ministry to help you make your ministry irreplaceable in a world of polarized

irreplaceable in a world of polarized irreplaceable in a world of polarized artificial everything. I think a lot of artificial everything. I think a lot of artificial everything. I think a lot of church leaders aren't ready for what's church leaders aren't ready for what's church leaders aren't ready for what's coming. So, my new book, AI in the coming. So, my new book, AI in the coming. So, my new book, AI in the future church, is for you if you want to future church, is for you if you want to future church, is for you if you want to be ready. Click the link in the be ready. Click the link in the be ready. Click the link in the description of this video. We get into description of this video. We get into description of this video. We get into deep fakes, truth, post-truth culture, deep fakes, truth, post-truth culture, deep fakes, truth, post-truth culture, all of that. And join the wait list for all of that. And join the wait list for all of that. And join the wait list for exclusive previews, a sneak peek, and exclusive previews, a sneak peek, and exclusive previews, a sneak peek, and first access when the book releases in first access when the book releases in first access when the book releases in September. So, the second thing you can September. So, the second thing you can September. So, the second thing you can do is sleep on it and pray about it. A do is sleep on it and pray about it. A do is sleep on it and pray about it. A lot of what's being shared these days is lot of what's being shared these days is lot of what's being shared these days is emotional. You see something, you read emotional. You see something, you read emotional. You see something, you read something, you feel like, I got to something, you feel like, I got to something, you feel like, I got to respond, and your heart starts beating respond, and your heart starts beating respond, and your heart starts beating faster, you get upset, and sometimes you faster, you get upset, and sometimes you faster, you get upset, and sometimes you get angry, and then your triggered, and get angry, and then your triggered, and get angry, and then your triggered, and then your emotions derail your brain. At then your emotions derail your brain. At then your emotions derail your brain. At least that happens to me, right? When I least that happens to me, right? When I least that happens to me, right? When I get emotional, um my my brain just takes get emotional, um my my brain just takes get emotional, um my my brain just takes a vacation. So, I learned years ago that a vacation. So, I learned years ago that a vacation. So, I learned years ago that almost nothing good happens when I'm almost nothing good happens when I'm almost nothing good happens when I'm angry. So, I made a rule. When I feel angry. So, I made a rule. When I feel angry. So, I made a rule. When I feel emotional about something, I am not emotional about something, I am not emotional about something, I am not going to respond for 24 hours. I'll going to respond for 24 hours. I'll going to respond for 24 hours. I'll sleep on it, pray about it. Just don't sleep on it, pray about it. Just don't sleep on it, pray about it. Just don't respond. Say nothing. respond. Say nothing. respond. Say nothing. As tempted as you are, just don't. And As tempted as you are, just don't. And As tempted as you are, just don't. And after 24 hours, something amazing after 24 hours, something amazing after 24 hours, something amazing usually happens. You get your brain usually happens. You get your brain usually happens. You get your brain back.

back. back. You've lost nothing. You've gained so You've lost nothing. You've gained so You've lost nothing. You've gained so much. You can talk about it with a much. You can talk about it with a much. You can talk about it with a friend. You can pray about it with God. friend. You can pray about it with God. friend. You can pray about it with God. And if Christians prayed about this And if Christians prayed about this And if Christians prayed about this stuff as much as we talk about it, I stuff as much as we talk about it, I stuff as much as we talk about it, I think we'd have a different church. think we'd have a different church. think we'd have a different church. Third thing you can do, start confessing Third thing you can do, start confessing Third thing you can do, start confessing and stop shaming and blaming. Christians and stop shaming and blaming. Christians and stop shaming and blaming. Christians have this ancient practice called have this ancient practice called have this ancient practice called confession. And the New Testament gets confession. And the New Testament gets confession. And the New Testament gets really radical because it says, "You really radical because it says, "You really radical because it says, "You know what you should do? You should know what you should do? You should know what you should do? You should confess your sins to each other." Today, confess your sins to each other." Today, confess your sins to each other." Today, not only do we not confess our sins, we not only do we not confess our sins, we not only do we not confess our sins, we blame other people for their sins. And blame other people for their sins. And blame other people for their sins. And Jesus never asked us to confess the sins Jesus never asked us to confess the sins Jesus never asked us to confess the sins of our enemies. He said, "You confess of our enemies. He said, "You confess of our enemies. He said, "You confess yours. Confess mine." All right? So, yours. Confess mine." All right? So, yours. Confess mine." All right? So, before I am quick to shame and blame before I am quick to shame and blame before I am quick to shame and blame others, I've got to confess my own sins. others, I've got to confess my own sins. others, I've got to confess my own sins. And better yet, I should admit my sins, And better yet, I should admit my sins, And better yet, I should admit my sins, confess my sins to someone else, a confess my sins to someone else, a confess my sins to someone else, a trusted friend. What that does is it trusted friend. What that does is it trusted friend. What that does is it creates a humility and awareness of how creates a humility and awareness of how creates a humility and awareness of how far we've all fallen. All right, fourth far we've all fallen. All right, fourth far we've all fallen. All right, fourth thing you can do, start real-life thing you can do, start real-life thing you can do, start real-life relationships with people who are relationships with people who are relationships with people who are different from you. So, in this cultural different from you. So, in this cultural different from you. So, in this cultural moment, a lot of us are surrounded by moment, a lot of us are surrounded by moment, a lot of us are surrounded by people who tell us we're right and people who tell us we're right and people who tell us we're right and everybody else is wrong. And the everybody else is wrong. And the everybody else is wrong. And the algorithm that runs social media fuels algorithm that runs social media fuels algorithm that runs social media fuels that. Automatically finds you more that. Automatically finds you more that. Automatically finds you more content that agrees with you, so you can content that agrees with you, so you can content that agrees with you, so you can convince yourself you're right. But convince yourself you're right. But convince yourself you're right. But here's the irony, in an online culture here's the irony, in an online culture here's the irony, in an online culture run by algorithms, you don't actually run by algorithms, you don't actually run by algorithms, you don't actually get more choices, you get fewer. So, the get more choices, you get fewer. So, the get more choices, you get fewer. So, the best way to become, I think, more best way to become, I think, more best way to become, I think, more thoughtful, understanding, and thoughtful, understanding, and thoughtful, understanding, and empathetic is to get around real, actual empathetic is to get around real, actual empathetic is to get around real, actual people in real life who are different people in real life who are different people in real life who are different from you, who may be look different, from you, who may be look different, from you, who may be look different, think different, vote differently. That think different, vote differently. That think different, vote differently. That means if you're a Republican, take a means if you're a Republican, take a means if you're a Republican, take a Democrat out to lunch and listen. And if Democrat out to lunch and listen. And if Democrat out to lunch and listen. And if you're a Democrat, cuz you're so much

you're a Democrat, cuz you're so much you're a Democrat, cuz you're so much smarter than those Republicans, have a smarter than those Republicans, have a smarter than those Republicans, have a Republican over for dinner. The world Republican over for dinner. The world Republican over for dinner. The world will be a better place. Okay, number will be a better place. Okay, number will be a better place. Okay, number five, ask yourself, "Five years from five, ask yourself, "Five years from five, ask yourself, "Five years from now, what will I wish I had done?" I now, what will I wish I had done?" I now, what will I wish I had done?" I love this question. Life and leadership love this question. Life and leadership love this question. Life and leadership are deeply complicated, and your are deeply complicated, and your are deeply complicated, and your emotions don't always tell you the emotions don't always tell you the emotions don't always tell you the truth. So, I keep this question in my truth. So, I keep this question in my truth. So, I keep this question in my back pocket. When I'm confused, I ask back pocket. When I'm confused, I ask back pocket. When I'm confused, I ask myself, "Five years from now, what will myself, "Five years from now, what will myself, "Five years from now, what will I wish I had done?" Now, for some reason I wish I had done?" Now, for some reason I wish I had done?" Now, for some reason for me, it's so clarifying. And often for me, it's so clarifying. And often for me, it's so clarifying. And often the answer is, "You're going to wish you the answer is, "You're going to wish you the answer is, "You're going to wish you hadn't said that." And sometimes that's hadn't said that." And sometimes that's hadn't said that." And sometimes that's enough, because the moral arc of the enough, because the moral arc of the enough, because the moral arc of the universe bends toward justice, and universe bends toward justice, and universe bends toward justice, and sometimes it means I have to do sometimes it means I have to do sometimes it means I have to do something that stretches me, that something that stretches me, that something that stretches me, that challenges my preconceptions, that makes challenges my preconceptions, that makes challenges my preconceptions, that makes me uncomfortable. I have to remember to me uncomfortable. I have to remember to me uncomfortable. I have to remember to ask this question and when I do it means ask this question and when I do it means ask this question and when I do it means I'll probably end up taking the high I'll probably end up taking the high I'll probably end up taking the high road. The high road is not the easy road road. The high road is not the easy road road. The high road is not the easy road because I really want to say something because I really want to say something because I really want to say something but if you take the high road it's the but if you take the high road it's the but if you take the high road it's the best road and it's someone you're going best road and it's someone you're going best road and it's someone you're going to be grateful you traveled. So keep to be grateful you traveled. So keep to be grateful you traveled. So keep that question in your back pocket when that question in your back pocket when that question in your back pocket when you're really saying should I do this you're really saying should I do this you're really saying should I do this ask yourself 5 years from now what will ask yourself 5 years from now what will ask yourself 5 years from now what will I wish I had done. You're going to be I wish I had done. You're going to be I wish I had done. You're going to be glad you asked yourself that question.

glad you asked yourself that question. glad you asked yourself that question. So here's the bottom line. When So here's the bottom line. When So here's the bottom line. When Christians lose their minds people lose Christians lose their minds people lose Christians lose their minds people lose their faith. When Christians keep their their faith. When Christians keep their their faith. When Christians keep their heads about them, their hearts about heads about them, their hearts about heads about them, their hearts about them and act with humility and point to them and act with humility and point to them and act with humility and point to someone bigger and something bigger than someone bigger and something bigger than someone bigger and something bigger than themselves people take notice. I think themselves people take notice. I think themselves people take notice. I think that's what the world is waiting for. If that's what the world is waiting for. If that's what the world is waiting for. If this is helpful I'd love for you to hit this is helpful I'd love for you to hit this is helpful I'd love for you to hit subscribe. There's a lot more where this subscribe. There's a lot more where this subscribe. There's a lot more where this came from and maybe drop a comment came from and maybe drop a comment came from and maybe drop a comment below. What is one thing you're going to below. What is one thing you're going to below. What is one thing you're going to do differently online starting today. do differently online starting today. do differently online starting today. I'll see you in the next video.