Over the past few days I’ve seen a blog getting passed around Facebook titled “5 Things Christians Should Stop Saying.” While I think the author means well, I feel his interpretation of these 5 things is little misguided.
I think it is a bit narrow-minded to pigeon-hole any person who says these things as a person who is trying to sound spiritual. After all, some of the points are actually biblical, as in Bible verses. So let’s take a quick look.
1. It was a God thing.
“To say something was a ‘God thing’ seems to draw lines of distinction between what God is and is not involved in that Scripture itself does not draw.”
Rather than assuming that a person is deflecting attention from themselves, consider that they are trying to assign the attention to the person who deserves the glory, Jesus Christ. It is true that all things are by him and through him and for him (Col 1:15-20), but that doesn’t necessarily mean there is a line of distinction drawn between what he is and isn’t involved in.
The truth is, even for seasoned Christians, many times we try to go about solving a problem or situation by our own understanding, and, as the old saying goes that hindsight is 20/20, we get to the point where the storm is over and we can really stand back and say, “You know what, that really was a God thing!” When I hear those words, I know that person has seen God’s hand move in their lives. Why would we want to stop saying that?
2. God showed up in the end.
“We say this to put the power of God on display – to show that His will was accomplished and He came out victorious. The problem, however, is that it represents pretty narrow thinking on our part.”
I think more than anything, this point reveals a huge problem in the Christian life. Like I mentioned before, we tend to try to go it on our own, usually to our own detriment. We try to solve life’s equations by ourselves. That clearly isn’t God’s plan. But should we stop saying it? I’m not so sure. At the very least, the person who says this realized that God was the one who made everything work out.
The truth is, God wants us to be close to him before, during, and after the storm. I think the author of the original post has that right. But not everyone is at that place where it is easy as pie to trust God in all stages of the storm. The disciples in the boat that night didn’t. They were scared. Sometimes we are too. And yes, Jesus wants us to know he is with us the whole time, but don’t discredit the person who says God showed up in the end. I bet the disciples said it that next morning around the breakfast table. “Man, Jesus really showed up out there, huh John?” “Totes, Pete, he did. Totes McGoats.”
3. God will never give you more than you can handle.
“We say this to encourage people who are going through difficult circumstances and to ensure them they are strong enough to handle it. The problem, however, is that this passage (1 Corinthians 10:13) actually teaches there will be times we find ourselves in situations we can’t handle and that in those times the only way out is through Him.”
Thank God, to this point in my life, I’ve never had to go through a really tough situation like a death in the immediate family or other horrible news. I pray he keeps me from that. But I know many people who have gone through these tough times. Loved ones lost from cancers and auto accidents. Sons and daughters lost way before what seemed their time. I often wonder how they got through it. The natural answer for a Christian is that God gave them grace for that season. When I learned my pastor lost his daughter in her early 20’s, I cried and said how did you get through it? Out came a simple answer. “Jesus.”
Will God ever give us more than we can handle? The author references 1 Cor 10:13 and replies, yes, there are things God will give you that you can’t handle. But that isn’t what 1 Cor 10:13 says. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV)
Granted, the author says the way we handle any situation is through Jesus. Agreed. But that doesn’t mean we should stop saying this phrase. What we should do when we encounter people who have a plate before them that seems out of their ability is point them to Jesus and tell them they can get through it. They need faith to get through, and who better but the one who initiates and completes our faith? When we can trust Jesus to get us through a tough situation, then his grace becomes sufficient and his power made perfect in our weakness. (1 Cor 12:9)
4. Where two or more are gathered…
“We say this to reassure ourselves that God hears our prayers or to justify why we don’t attend church. The misapplications are endless.”
This is a reference to the Bible passage found in Matthew 18:20. Just because some people who say this use it to dodge church doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be said. I hear this verse a lot. Especially during prayer services. And I am glad to hear it. Anytime someone repeats one of God’s promises in my hearing is a good thing. It is a faith builder. It tells me that not only does God hear us, but he is right there with us. His presence is there and in so many times of prayer and fellowship and worship, it is tangible. Never stop saying this one.
On top of that, I believe the author has the context wrong. This passage isn’t in the context of discipline, but in the context of petitioning God. Read verse 19: Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. (Matthew 18:19 ESV)
So the next time you are praying or are in worship, praise God that where two or more are gathered, he is present and ready to answer!
5. The Bible says don’t judge.
“We say this for obvious reasons – we don’t want anyone to call us out.”
There is a difference between conviction and condemnation. Conviction says, “Brother, that path won’t give you the satisfaction you are looking for. Let me show you another way.” Condemnation says, “You idiot, I can’t believe you did that.” One builds, one tears down. We have to remember Romans 8:1, which says, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Not only does he have no condemnation towards us, he frees us from condemnation towards others.
Rather than telling people to stop saying “The Bible says don’t judge,” I think Christians should stop judging with condemnation, and start operating in covenant love. Covenant love is the love Jesus has for us, and what we should have for him and each other. It is a love that says, “Yes I love you and have proven that by my commitment to you and your well-being, but I refuse to let you continue on a sinful path that leads to destruction.”
Most Christians tend to operate in the extremes on this one, either hell fire and brimstone, or the über-tolerant approach. I think both are wrong. There has to be a solid mix of genuine love and the courage to confront sin. Truth be told, that’s what genuine, covenant love does. Trust me, you can identify a tree by its fruit and help it grow without chopping it down. But you may have to prune a little, and that’s what most people don’t like. But remember, it makes you produce better fruit. (Heb 12:11)
In the end, I don’t think the author was trying to be confrontational with his article, and neither am I with mine, but I do believe some of his points were a little misguided. I will simply end by saying this: I’m not bothered at all about these 5 things Christians say, especially if they move us closer the Jesus, and help us show more of God’s love to others. I think Jesus is concerned with how well we walk it, not just how well we talk it.
James 1:22 ESV
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
Be blessed!
J