So You Think You Are Right

Some of my best sermons come from seeing Facebook postings, feeling the Holy Spirit stir, then mulling them over until a godly response forms in my mind, coming from my heart and not my feelings. This is EXTREMELY important because, as I have preached a million times, God needs us to ACT and not knee-jerk react. Some of the things that people post are against everything we feel and believe, but in reality, “feelings” have NOTHING to do with FACTS.

In some instances, openly expressing our feelings is fine, but not when they cause us to lash out and slander other people. When we slander others, we are LYING, which is against the Ten Commandments. Commandment #8: Thou shall not bear FALSE witness (Lie). So here is the statement that broke my “camel’s back” regarding FB cruelty, thus initiating my Facebook Response and this sermon:

FB Posting: “Why should coal miners pay for PBS? This was an actual question asked by the Trump administration yesterday. Obviously a blatantly stupid question. We have questions too. Why should a poor black family in Detroit pay for the President to go golfing? Why should a single mother of three who’s working two jobs in Louisiana be denied healthcare so that the CEO of Aetna can get a tax break? Why is the guy washing dishes in Baton Rouge paying for the President's wife's Secret Service protection so she can live comfortably in NYC?

We could do this all day, but here is the real question the Trump Administration and the Republicans who empower him need to answer: Do you have a heart? Did no one teach you to care about your neighbors? Do you know what empathy means? Did no one ever teach you to share when you were in kindergarten? Have you never heard of the phrase “do unto others?” I can’t think of a group of people who need to watch Sesame Street more than the Republican Party. Perhaps they would learn some common decency.”

My Response: “MANY Republicans have a heart and serve humanity more than the average person sitting in front of a TV set being indoctrinated into whatever the newest propaganda machine dishes out. If you want to watch TV, pay for it. It’s a privilege and you aren’t entitled to my contribution to enable your entertainment. I don’t watch TV, and I don’t ask for you to pay for my education, books, or writing tablets. Just saying…”

As I mulled over the obvious comments connecting biblical principles to what ONE group is “supposedly” not doing for society, I came up with the following response and posted it on my FB page: (It must be noted my response comes from hundreds of FB comments and not just this one)

“Ok, I must finally say the quiet part out loud: Your beliefs, thoughts, and ideology are right, so mine must be wrong????

You post that ALL who don’t believe as you believe are: (fill in the blanks _____, _____, ______, etc. with the worst accusations/traits/insinuations that you can think of)

This statement that you smugly post leads one to believe YOU are kind, righteous, on the moral high ground, benevolent, loving, generous, compassionate, etc. AND insinuates that I (and all people who aren’t the same religion, political leaning, belief system, etc. as you are) are NOT nearly as “GOOD” as you!

As a matter of fact, you claim we are BAD! We are dumb, ignorant, stupid, selfish, foolish, and lacking in morals/compassion in your eyes. Words like ALL and ALWAYS have no place when describing other humans, especially when grouping people who don’t agree with everything you believe. The old saying “Who died and left you boss?” is applicable here.

MOST of us are good-hearted people, and our beliefs are based on experience and perspective. If I disagree with you, that doesn’t give me the right to spew hatred and false accusations at you. Neither does it give you the right to consider yourself “better” than me or make false accusations against me. How will we ever become united and love each other by putting each other down just so we feel better about ourselves?

If this post gets even ONE PERSON to think twice before posting untrue statements and spewing hateful accusations while standing on their own weak soapbox, then I have accomplished something good. Enjoy life and accept differences. It’s what makes us INDIVIDUALS. We aren’t robots… Love, hugs & blessings, Lisa 🙏🇺🇸✝️🧎🏽‍♀️♥️”

PS Kindness matters, and that includes you!

I notice many things about the comments people post about other people on social media. Oh, how righteous they are in their judgment and insinuations. In the above case, what started as a simple comment about PBS turned into a full-blown attack (via questioning the value system and upbringing) of an entire political party. This leads me to ask a few questions:

Are Democrats and Independents all great people, and only Republicans have questionable motives and values? Did you do a poll of all USA citizens to find out who wants to fund PBS and some of their questionable broadcasting choices? Is Sesame Street the same show (same values and message) that I watched with my children? Are all people who were not raised with godly values now Republicans? So many questions were raised in the above rant, but none can be answered by targeting ONE group of people!

I get especially concerned when people start spouting off biblical values, but are not acting godly. I could make a statement (based on my feelings) about almost ANYTHING and find scriptures to back up my position, but that is not what God wants. He doesn’t want our opinion, angry responses, or hatred of each other. He wants us to love and care for each other.

Loving my neighbor or learning how to share the blessings He has granted me has NOTHING to do with PBS. It is all about human compassion, caring, and ensuring His values are passed on to each generation. Most TV shows, including many revered cartoons, no longer do that. They are propaganda and not just for fun, laughs, and teaching kindness.

Before you post on any social media site, think about what God would want you to say. If you truly want to exact a godly change in the behavior of others, putting them on defense by attacking them is not going to get you the desired outcome. If someone needs correcting, do it gently and directly, without bringing in innocent people during your tirade. LOVING your neighbors requires that and anyone who thinks that pointing fingers outward and admonishing innocent people is going to accomplish behavior correction, is going to be sadly disappointed.

I would also suggest that you carefully pick your fights as well. As I stated on FB, we often disagree, but to go completely off subject and anger people while trying to make a point is, well…pointless. It will cause more problems than solutions.

God made us each individuals with our personal societal norms, feelings, beliefs, and perspectives. If you truly want someone to SEE your perspective/point of view, then I suggest you present your position and allow each person to make their own decision without insinuating others are somehow less than you…less important, less intelligent, less conscious.

Love is simple and innate. Hate is learned. God created us all equal. Do not pretend you are better than others because of your beliefs, and certainly do not lash out in anger at people who might actually have the same moral values as you, but question yours after you are thoughtless in your delivery of a message. Think before you speak! Amen.

Love, hugs and blessings, Lisa ><>

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