Christians and Gaslighting

 

I am musing about...

Christians and Gaslighting.

What is gaslighting? We hear that word tossed around quite abit these days. 

Gaslighting is a mental trick of sorts, a  "playing with someone's mind". It is an approach that makes someone in the right feel like they are in the wrong, It is a means of making the oppressed feel like they are the oppressor, of making the victim feel like the victimizer. It is hard to explain. It is tricky. And it is real.

When it comes to Christians expressing their beliefs, the society and culture we are living in, can make us feel hesitant to express our opinions, making us feel like we are self-centered, lacking in understanding, one-sided and even unkind.

We need to take a deep breath. We need to stop and consider. What is it that we are expressing? How are we expressing it? Are we, God forbid, being rude, unkind or violent in any way?

It is so important that we exercise humility, kindness, love and compassion as we step out with bold  faith and courage to take a stand which may be antithetical to the accepted mores and norms of today's culture.

But number one, let us stop and consider whose opinions are we truly expressing? Are they not God's? 

It is not ourselves that we are standing up for, it is God.

He who is the Creator of the world and each and every person in it.

He who loves each one and desires their allegiance and love, that their lives be lived in accordance with His Word, for His glory and their present and ultimate good.

Are we not promoting Truth in the name of love?

Let us remember, Whose we are, Whose ways we are exclaiming and why we are not willing to back down. Why we do not want to succumb, in the name of  supposed peace, unity and tolerance, to those things that ultimately lead to heartache, despair, division and eventual death. For all eternity.

Let us fortify our resolve, to stand strong on Truth. Let us not allow society's narrative to sway our thinking. To intimidate us. To make us feel, well, the way progressive culture wants us to feel...wrong. It is not about us. It is about Truth. It is about others. It is about our God and His righteousness.

We are nothing without Him. We are as needy and unworthy and as fallible as the next. 

But let us prayerfully proceed, always willing to stand strong on the principles of our God.

We are in His army. We are in this culture war fighting for Truth. Why? Because we care about the next generation, and about each and every soul who will someday face their maker.

May we be aware of Satan's tactics. May we be aware of the way society can twist the truth. May we check our own heart, our own motives. And then may we be willing to "Dare to be a Daniel", to be a loving and forthright soldiers in the army of our God.

Let's be willing to be different, to swim against the culture's current that is sweeping souls towards the perilous falls of destruction. Let's allow God's Spirit to shine light on what Satan is trying to do; of his twisting and deceptive ways. Let's not allow gaslighting to put out the fervent flame of Truth for which we willingly stand.

For His sake. For His glory.

This is not a call for political activism, unless of course, you sense it is your God given calling. But rather this is a call to be bold in the name of Christ. To be ready with an answer, when asked or given opportunity in the business of our daily lives.

The Scripture states "but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do with gentleness and respect" 1 Peter 3:15 ESV

So, as His children, let us fan the flames and fuel the cause for Christ in this dark and needy world.

Let's shine on despite the gaslighting culture we live in and be the light that fuels the call for Truth!

Shine on dear Brothers and Sisters!