• Last summer I watched with interest to see how long it would take world leaders to label ISIS as evil, rather than “misguided.” Part of our challenge, as followers of Christ in the cultural moment, is the result of our knowing that the problems of the world are moral, not merely structural or procedural. The world drifts into darkness not because of ignorance but because of evil. Once we cut our moorings to good and bad, right and wrong, true and false, our trajectory was more or less established. To nearly anyone in our own national leadership (for whom we should pray), the Lord might say, “You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?” (L 12:56).
• You and I are here, in one sense, to bear the message that “this present darkness” (Eph 6:12) is the result of sin (a moral condition), not confusion (an intellectual muddle). Christians tend to shy away from this kind of thinking for fear that they will come across as harsh or judgmental. You probably know my mantra on this: discernment and judgement are two different things. It’s not only permissible, but necessary, to be wise and discerning.
• So while judgment belongs to the Lord, part of your role in this culture is to not be afraid of speaking in terms of right and wrong, good and bad, true and false. Love and humility will keep you from unnecessary offense. Remember Col 4:6, “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” If you can manage this, if you can “set a guard at your lips,” you have the opportunity to bring clarity to this day of confusion and darkness. Keep it real; call it like it is. Everyone you speak with, believer or non, is made in the image of God and bears his imprint. The truth will resonate. Have courage and speak the truth. The people that the Lord is drawing to himself will listen to you.