What people call “hate speech” because they are offended by divine truth, God calls perfect love.
– Clint Decker
Since the 1980s the word “hate” started to become a politically and culturally charged word in the United States and around the world. Today we have “hate crimes,” “hate speech”, “hate groups” that have had a dramatic impact on our speech both in public and private.
What exactly is “hate speech?” Many public universities define this for students and faculty. Kansas State University, which is close to where I live states that, “Hate speech is speech that attacks a person or group on the basis of attributes such as gender, ethnic origin, religion, race, disability or sexual orientation.” Definitions like this should be concerning regarding potential bias. Can a man ever be a victim of hate speech due to his gender or only a woman? Can a white person ever be a victim of hate speech due to their race or only a person of color? Can a heterosexual ever be a victim of hate speech or only a person who is from the LGTBQ community? These are legitimate questions.
Policies and laws that define hate speech have incredible influence, but does that mean they are correct? Just because someone accuses you of hate does that mean they are right? Who is the arbiter of truth on this? I tell my nine-year-old great-granddaughter, “Pursue truth. Ask questions. Do not always take a person’s word for it – even mine. Look things up.” And then I teach her what is the source of all truth, the Bible.
Jesus spoke, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies…” (Matthew 5:43-44) Hating means you detest or have a strong hostility toward someone, which is strongly condemned. Hate is also defined through contrast. Jesus says to love instead of hate. Love means having a longing in your heart for someone that is demonstrated through selfless sacrificial service, especially toward your opponents.
Can true love cause offense? The pastor of the church I preached at decried my message when he texted me, “God’s love is for all.” We are so grateful for the blessings of Christ like the gift of forgiveness, the hope of heaven, realizing there is no more condemnation, being a child of God and so much more. These evoke feelings of love, joy and peace among all. However, when pastors only speak of the blessings of Christ to the exclusion of the cross of Christ, they mislead their congregations.
The cross is ugly. Jesus’ death and resurrection revealed how sinful we are, and the divine sentence of judgement all mankind deserves. When we speak of these things it naturally causes offense. Jesus expected this resistance when He said, “For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.” (John 3:20)
What people call “hate speech” because they are offended by what heaven’s merciful light has exposed, Almighty God calls perfect love. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave his only Son…” He lovingly gave His unique Son for the ugliness of our sinful disobedience, that we might humble ourselves, turn from our ways, place our faith in Christ and be spared God’s eternal wrath. Then in response, the marvelous blessings of Christ are lavished upon us without measure.
Let people call it what they choose but understand this. When you speak accurately about the uncensored truth of God’s Word, and do so with the right spirit, it is the most beautiful and merciful act of love you could ever do for a precious soul.
A prayer for you – Lord God, I pray you will search our hearts for any hate toward others or even toward the hard truths of your holy Word. Then cleanse us from this darkness and fill us with your amazing love that we would believe your truth, and love and forgive our opponents. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
1 comment:
Clint,
Thank you for your bold desire to share truth and stand on Scripture in a time when many are afraid to speak. I agree wholeheartedly that the Gospel is not always comfortable and that the message of the cross — with its call to repentance and surrender — can indeed offend. Jesus said as much Himself.
However, as I read your reflection on your experience, I found myself wrestling with something deeper: the question of whether we are truly preaching the Gospel or preaching our cultural frustrations in the name of Jesus.
The Power of the Gospel Is in Christ, Not Controversy
You are right to say that love is more than warm sentiment — it is often costly and confrontational. But love is also patient, kind, not arrogant or rude (1 Corinthians 13), and it “does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth.” What I struggle with in your blog is not your call to truth, but that the tone and framing seem more about defending yourself than lifting up Jesus.
The Gospel doesn’t need our defensiveness — it has power because it is God’s good news, not because it is culturally edgy. If people are offended, let it be because Christ crucified reveals their need for grace — not because we’ve used Scripture as a weapon in a culture war.
Offense Isn’t Always Gospel Faithfulness
You point out that some people labeled your sermon as hate speech and removed it. You suggest this is proof that people can’t handle the truth. But it’s also worth asking honestly: Was the offense due to Gospel clarity, or a lack of Gospel charity?
Paul reminds Timothy to “preach the word… with great patience and careful instruction” (2 Timothy 4:2). The fruit of the Spirit is not outrage, but love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. If those are not the hallmarks of our preaching, we’re not proclaiming in the Spirit of Christ — no matter how biblical our content is.
The Gospel Is About a Person, Not Just a Point
When you focus on being censored or attacked, you risk making your defense the center of the story, not Jesus. The real power of the Gospel is not in proving a point about morality, but in pointing people to a person — Jesus — who laid down His life to restore us. That restoration doesn’t come through winning arguments or exposing sin alone, but through inviting people to encounter grace, even in their brokenness.
Yes, repentance is essential. Yes, sin must be named. But so must the kindness of God that leads to repentance (Romans 2:4). The Gospel never stops at calling out what’s wrong; it always leads to hope, healing, and new creation in Christ.
A Better Way Forward
Rather than framing the church’s response to your sermon as a rejection of God’s truth, perhaps it’s worth seeking clarity: Did they reject Scripture? Or did they question your tone, emphasis, or how the message was delivered? That distinction matters, especially if we are called not just to be right, but to be reconciled — to God and to one another.
Let’s not confuse conviction with combativeness, or mistake being controversial for being Christlike. Jesus preached repentance, but He also knelt and washed feet.
So yes — preach the Word boldly. But let the Word speak louder than your frustration. Let Christ be the offense, not your delivery. And let your love be as loud as your truth.
In Christ’s mercy and grace,
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