What people call “hate speech” because they are offended by divine truth, God calls perfect love.
– Clint Decker
“Hate speech.” That is what one church attendee put on social media in response to my Sunday morning message titled, “The Destruction and Restoration of The American Family.” Then later it was censored by being removed from the church’s Facebook page. (Photo by Pixabay)
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.
When you look beneath the surface of Coach Wooden’s winning resume, you can see he was not always a winner. He has known tremendous defeat.
– Clint Decker
College basketball fans live for March Madness. It is about this time a particular name is remembered each year – Coach John Wooden, the legendary coach of the UCLA Bruins. (Image by optimism.ucla.edu)
He is remembered for the coaching success at UCLA, that most sports historians say will never be matched or likely even rivaled. It is an untouchable set of records. The ones most well known are the ten NCAA national championships in 12 years, 88 consecutive wins over four seasons and 19 conference championships.
Many fans of Coach Wooden might say he has been a winner throughout his entire life. As a player, he won championships in high school and college. As a coach, he had an 81% winning percentage covering 40 years of coaching along with the UCLA championships.
However, when you look beneath the surface of Coach Wooden’s resume, you can see he was not always a winner. He has known tremendous defeat. During the state title game of 1927 for Martinsville (Indiana) High School, he missed a key shot and lost the championship. Wooden says, “Losing that game was the most disappointing thing that happened to me as a player.” He started coaching a few years later in 1932 at Dayton (Kentucky) High School. His first season was six wins and 11 losses. It took him 28 years of coaching through the high school and college ranks before he won his first title. Then at UCLA in 1964, he captured his first of many NCAA national championships.
Like Coach Wooden, before we stand on the summit of victory, we often walk through the dark and lonely valleys of defeat. We see this as a pattern in the lives of historically significant people, including the giants of faith in the Bible.
It is written about Noah that he was “…a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God.” (Genesis 6:9)
Noah was called by God to build a boat (called an ark) that would be large enough to fit multitudes of animals, along with his family. Then afterwards torrential rains would fall upon the earth and flood it as a form of judgment because of the wickedness of humanity.
Some scholars say it took Noah upwards of 75 years to build the ark, which was constructed during a
a lawless time. The Bible says, “The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” (Gen. 6:5) This meant it was a very long 75 years. For the world at this point had never seen rain, nor a boat, so when Noah explained what he was doing it was likely he faced questions, doubts and ridiculed by his godless enemies. Yet, Noah persisted through it all, “By faith, Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark…and became an heir of righteousness.” (Hebrews 11:7)
When God closed the door after Noah boarded the ark and the rains started – it was victory. Then 40 days later when the rain stopped, the floods receded and Noah walked out of the ark to become the father of a new humanity and a new earth – it was victory.
The journey of Noah was not easy. God had him walk through some dark valleys before he could climb to the summit of victory. Why does God operate this way?
One word. Faith. God wants us to depend solely upon Him. Consequently, He takes us through circumstances where we are forced into a choice: God-dependency or self-dependency.
We thank God for the cross of Jesus. He modeled for us God-dependency on His journey to be crucified. And when He rose again from the dead, He provided a way for us to do the same. When we turn from ourselves, while walking through the dark valleys, and trust in Christ alone – we are lifted up to the summit of victory by the grace of God.
A prayer for you – Lord God, you know the dark valleys we are walking through. Help us to stop trusting in ourselves and turn from self-dependency and toward God-dependency. We cannot, but only you can. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
In the 1970s 13% of Americans were considered obese. Today nearly 70% are either overweight or obese. We have a problem!
- Clint Decker
Based on government data in the 1960s and 70s around 13% of Americans were considered obese while less than 1% were defined as morbidly obese. However, in the 1980s and 90s waistlines began to dramatically increase. Today, according to USAFacts, obesity rates have tripled in America over the last 60 years with nearly 70% being either overweight or obese. (Image by myhealthcare.co)
This has given rise to over 250 health problems like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, strokes, fatty liver diseases, some cancers, fertility issues, mental health problems and more. In 2016 over $260 billion was spent on obesity related healthcare, while in 2024 it increased to $385 billion.
We have a health crisis in America!
Where is the church and Christian ministries on this? Are we not pro-life? This crisis is leading to obesity-related deaths by the thousands and chronic related sicknesses by the millions. Our families, churches and communities are all touched by this.
Does God have anything to say about our health?
Jesus said, “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:29-31) This refers to loving and serving God with your whole being, which includes your body. For believers, taking care of our body is an expression of our love for God. For when we do, we can more effectively serve others, whereas obesity limits us in different ways. Additionally, it is written “…whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31) This is communicating that in all things, including what we eat and drink, we are to do for the glory (or honor) of God.
The goal of living a healthier life is first about God, second about others and last about you. It is not primarily about YOU looking good in the mirror or YOU feeling good about yourself. The Bible says, “Happy are you, O land, when your king is the son of the nobility, and your princes feast at the proper time, for strength, and not for drunkenness!” (Ecclesiastes 10:17) What is the purpose of eating and drinking? It is not for personal pleasure or self-indulgence, for that is where many of our problems start. Rather, it is to produce the strength and energy we need to serve God and others.
What are some practical ways we can fight against obesity?
1. Live with belief. Believe it is possible for you to eat and live a healthier life. No matter what your past failures have been. No matter what your existing health problems are. No matter what your genetics are. Believe that you can overcome.
2. Live with a plan. Turn your belief into action. Seek out a practical diet and exercise plan.
3. Live with a goal. Whatever you aim at is what you will hit. Set small reasonable weight loss goals.
4. Live with common sense. Make better choices. Eating smaller portions and fruits and vegetables is good. Eating larger portions and piles of cupcakes is bad.
5. Live for the glory of God. Do not live with guilt over your weight, nor compare your body to anyone else’s. Fix your eyes on Jesus and live for His praise alone.
6. Live with a persevering mindset. Know this will be extremely difficult but determine that you will never quit! Never!
Jesus came to die and rise again that we might no longer be enslaved by the things of this world. He created you and He knows the battles you face. In Christ, you have all you need to live a healthy life.
A prayer for you – Lord God, we ask for your help to begin living a healthier life. We need your enabling power. We are weak, but you are strong. Help us O God and grant us success. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
