Stage In The Sky

Very often, the thing that silences a lot of Christians from speaking up and calling out bad behavior, is the fact that they themselves are sinners too. So what are we to do? Is no one allowed to say anything, because we’ve all been bad? I don’t think so.

Here, we have a rapper named Holy Gabbana calling out Lil Nas X for titling himself a “Christian” all while promoting, celebrating, and encouraging homosexuality and un-Christian behavior. By “Christian Behavior,” I’m referring to the action of being a follower of Christ. Anyone can claim to be a Christian. But actually adhering to the standards Christ and his Apostles laid out, that’s the behavior we’re talking about here.

• Points Discussed:
• The What-Aboutism Argument – @00:52
• All Sin is NOT the Same – @1:40
• Is it Mostly Women Who Defend Bad Behavior? – @2:19
• Society Thinks Women are Inferior – @5:23
• Why Do People WANT to Live in the “Gray Area”? – @6:22
• People Care About what Humans Think – @7:48
• The Tactics to Silence Christians – @9:21
• How “Shame” Helps You – @10:21
• People Too Far Invested in Their Ideals – @10:39

One of the major talking points I make in the video is on the question of “Why does it seem like Women are mostly the ones who step up to defend this behavior?”

Disclaimer: I am aware that I could be wrong in that observation. I’m not saying that ALL women defend bad behavior. There are PLENTY of Women who step up and call out the wickedness when they see it. But if you look up “Spiritual Word” Instagram’s post on the topic and scroll through the comments, I’ll let you be the judge of it.

And I’ve noticed, it’s not just with Homosexuality and the Lil Nas situation. But even with cases like this case out of North Carolina where a 26-year-old teacher was charged with 5 felony counts of sexual activity with an 18-year-old student…it’s mostly women coming to her defense, saying she doesn’t deserve jail time, and that the student was 18 and so forth.

I suspect most of the readers here already know about the power of the herd mentality. A lot of people are very much dependent on their social groups, friends, family, peers, and community. I’m not saying this is necessarily a bad thing.

Unless that community celebrates, encourages, and accepts wicked behavior. When you care more about fitting in with a community like this, it makes sense that you’d demonstrate a greater fear of upsetting and being ostracized by humans, more so than demonstrating a fear of God.

It’s not easy. Especially when SO MANY people call themselves Christians yet they don’t live by Christ’s standards. You’re put in a difficult position. If you follow the rules, they’ll hate you because you inadvertently put them to shame (John 15: 18-25).

Also, I suspect my generation has been conditioned to believe that anytime someone tells you that you can’t or shouldn’t do something because of your gender, they believe this is a form of oppression. Thanks to the advancement of technology and the removal of God from educational institutions, my generation struggles to comprehend that God’s instructions for life (the Bible) isn’t a form of oppression.

Many don’t understand that the Bible is there to help them live a more prosperous and meaningful life. It’s to save them. It’s to help them avoid the obvious damage and destruction they are sure to encounter by turning away from God’s word to make themselves their own Gods, enslaved to their emotions and feelings while shutting off the internal smoke alarm, the internal trigger God gave them to warn them that what they are doing is wrong.

That trigger is called shame. If you ignore it enough times, you’ll become desensitized to it.

Jeremiah talked about it in Jeremiah 6 15. “Were they ashamed when they committed abomination?
No, they were not at all ashamed; they did not know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; at the time that I punish them, they shall be overthrown,” says the Lord.

“But, Rock! What about the decades and generations of men applauding bad behavior when it comes to other men sinning in adultery and sexual immorality by hooking up with every woman they can get?”

That is a good point. Fellas, we can’t overlook that. Do we call out their bad behavior? Or do we give a wink at their indiscretion and act like it’s no big deal, that boys will be boys?

As I stressed in my last essay, it is unfortunate that our culture and society has fallen so far. Men are responsible for what they do. Men should be leaders. Men should have the strength and discipline to step up and resist this wicked world despite the lack of reward, recognition, or appreciation. That’s how I choose to live my life and until the day I die, I will continue to resist this world.

But, as I told a woman during a recent Instagram post when she tried to twist 1 John 3:4 to argue that no sin is greater than another (which it absolutely does not say), I said, “You’re reading the words of a 37-year-old who’s waiting till marriage despite the odds of ever finding a beautiful woman who’s willing to do the same. But despite those odds, I choose God over the world. I hope you do the same.”

She liked that comment and put up no further contest. I believe many like her would appreciate it and be encouraged to know that there are those of us who practice what we preach. This is why I hammer home my own resistance and talk openly about things like my celibacy and rejection of the notion of this world’s “tolerance and acceptance.” This is why I gird myself with the sword and shield of truth, logic, and faith when I’m attacked by ironic judgments of “you’re too judgmental.”

Very often even other Christians tend to counter, accusing me of being too self-righteous, acting all high and mighty, or acting like a Pharisee in clinging to the Scriptures. I understand why they’re doing this and I won’t say they aren’t “true Christians.” I think those who truly repented and recognize that we’ve all made mistakes won’t be so defensive. Those who still haven’t taken accountability will likely feel attacked and defend their actions with the sentiment of, “you’re no better than me.”

For instance, in my last essay where I call out Christians who had sex before marriage. My rebuke was a bit strong. The kind of Christians I’m talking about could’ve feel slighted and hate me for calling it out, but why?

I think Ego and Pride play a part in all that. It’s not easy when you think you’ve been doing the Christian thing for so long, only to have someone like me throw a monkey wrench in what you thought was good.

It saddens me that I had to be the one to tell you. Although, if you only surround yourselves with people who tell you what you want to hear, false prophets and lukewarm Christians who love living in the gray area where they think it’s okay to love both God and this World…that is your fault. (See 1 John 2:15-16)

“But Rock, sometimes you act like you can do no wrong. That everything you do is good in God’s eyes and that’s very off putting. No one wants to talk to a guy like that. We’d much rather deal with people who we can relate to. If you talk and act the way you do, it’s gonna be hard for people to draw close to you because they’ll be afraid of you judging everything they say they’ve done or how they live.”

Those are good points. You don’t know me, so there’s no reason to really trust that I have your best interests at heart. Furthermore, I’d contend that if you’re on your Christian journey and you still haven’t grasped Jesus Christ’s parable about the Seeds and the Sower, you may not realize that your “best interests” are not exactly the best.

But let’s say you stay away from people like me. Let’s say, when you see me, you hold back details of your life and all the things that you think I’ll be critical of. Why would you do that?

“Well, how would you feel if people were constantly judging you and criticizing how you live?”

I welcome it if 1) I admired them, 2) I respected them, 3) I trusted that they know what they’re talking about, 4) they led by example and 5) they’ve actually proven that they give a ish about me.

That’s how I got better. Honestly, I didn’t just roll out of bed and boom, instant wisdom, intelligence, and spiritual strength! No, my friends. I’ve failed SPECTACULARLY on so many occasions that it would blow your mind. I have so many insecurities. I hate that my heart longs for things and people who are not good for me. And if it wasn’t for the Christians God sent to encourage and reproach me…

Quick example: when I was 29, I was in the middle of reading the entire Bible from cover to cover, on my way to committing to Christ when my older brother implied that “I care more about being a writer than being a Christian.”

I was so angry and insulted! God knows I was already sacrificing and denying myself so many things, so many women, so many opportunities that would’ve gotten me what I always wanted…only to hear my brother tell me I was not doing enough, it was devastating. But in time…I realized he was right. I acknowledged this flaw of mine and worked to course correct and now, I do believe I put God first, above my desire to be a best-selling author.

Even with my last essay, it was all about the criticism I got, where the person I love and care about the most in this world asked me, “Rock, do you think your standards are realistic?”

Even if I thought I was right and responded immediately, her criticism clearly lingered for days and I at least explored the possibility that she might be right.

This is why I don’t think I’m as arrogant and “full of myself” as some are quick to assume. When I was in my 20s, I lived by the philosophy of surrounding yourself with people you want to learn from. If you want to be intelligent, surround yourself with intelligent people. If you want to be a better Christian, surround yourself with those who really are living by Christ’s standards and learn from them.

Lastly on that point…I really do think it’s better to be judged here and now while you’re still alive, than by God on judgment day when it’s too late. If you trust the person who’s prone to reproach you, I’d adapt a humble student like mentality and soak in what they’re saying. Recognize that if they are “shaming you,” it’s to help you course correct back to the path of righteousness. I’m talking about the path that leads to the narrow gate, not the broad one that most will enter to their destruction. (Matt 7:13-14)

Heed Jesus Christ’s warning when he said  “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matt 7:21-23)

With my essays and criticisms of modern culture, I’m trying to teach the will of the Father to the best of my abilities. I’ve included scriptures so you can read and discern for yourself, because ultimately, you are responsible for your own salvation.

Burying your head in the sand, acting like you didn’t know any better, or relying on ignorance to justify your immoral lifestyle…God’s been around since Adam and Eve. He’s seen humans 10x more cunning, deceptive, and clever than you. You’re playing with fire if you think those tricks will work on a God who’s wisdom and knowledge is infinitely greater than ours.

Lastly, I will say this to help my reader better understand that I don’t think I’m all high and mighty. Even though I speak with confidence, it’s not easy being me.

What you don’t see is the amount of hours I spend sitting alone in an empty room. There’s no one keeping me company. No one to talk to. No beautiful face to wake up to. No one to come home to. No one texting me on a daily basis. No one saying I love you or they’re proud of me or wishing me to have a good day on a daily basis. There’s no one calling to check up on me and I haven’t been in a romantic committed relationship since 2017.

Yesterday, my brothers wanted to do some kind of video call for my parents’ anniversary. But I really was dealing with a bout of depression after a stressful and trying week. Not to mention, I had already given my parents an anniversary gift. They know I’m proud of them. But my older brother wanted to do a spur of the moment video call.

I picked up the 2nd time he called and told him “I’m sorry man. I’m really going through a tough time right now. I don’t have the strength to pretend to be happy.”

He didn’t ask what’s wrong or offer a listening ear. He said he respected my wishes, but five minutes later, he texted with “Hey bro! Really would be great to have you join for just a few minutes.” Basically, fuck what you got going on, Rock. What we’re doing is more important. Ladies and gentlemen…this is the story of my life, where I do so much for my closest loved ones, but the moment I’m in trouble or need support or ask for a favor that goes beyond just a convenient phone call or text, they wouldn’t lift a finger. (not talking about you, Sean or Dad. I know y’all got my back!)

My point is, many of you are blessed in ways that I am not. Shall I hang my head low and feel miserable? I don’t think so! My essays, my boasting of God’s love and feeling favored by him is the very epitome of “looking on the positive side!”

Honestly, throughout everything that I have to go through alone, I can’t help but smile because I know I walk with God. Jehovah is real. And as long as I cling to him, I am never truly alone. What I lack in human love, support, and companionship, I more than make up for in a beautiful home, a strong body, a strong mind, a strong credit score, a strong imagination, and a strong sense of purpose that keeps me driven and running full-speed 100mph.

I love my life. I pray for affection and companionship to help endure this world a little better, but until then…the blessing of God’s strength, patience, and wisdom is enough. The only times I trip and stumble (feel lonely) is when I become too focused on what the world’s doing, making it painfully aware of how different I truly am. That’s my fault. Not God’s.