What’s “Really” Wrong in America

You know what’s wrong in America?  It’s the same thing that’s wrong in every other country, in our political parties, churches, what’s wrong in so many marriages, and in so many families.  Here’s how Jesus’ put it:  “For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.”  Out of the heart comes hate and prejudice.  And out of the heart comes pride.

We would like to think that we are intrinsically good as human beings (btw, that’s pride that’s doing the thinking here).  However, the Bible and our histories tell us differently.  Because of pride we judge others by their actions but we judge ourselves by our intentions.  And we can’t even see this because pride blinds us to it.It’s our pride that keeps us from saying, “I was wrong” or “I made a mistake” or “please forgive me.”  Instead of forgiving or trying to understand, we shift the blame, we entrench, we fortify, and we attempt to conquer.

Take this past weekend for example, it’s because of pride that our President would call several NFL players SoBs (maybe that’s not what you heard, but that’s what “they” heard).  It’s his pride that keeps him from seeing or understanding how this hurt these men, their families, and their teammates.  And it’s pride that keeps him from saying, “I was wrong to use the words I did” or “I went too far” or “I’m sorry, please forgive me.”

On the other hand, it’s pride that drove many NFL players in how they responded.  And though their protest was both peaceful and a show of solidarity, pride blinded them from seeing how their actions would deeply offend so many of their fans.  It was pride that kept so many of them from seeing that others might view their response as a protest against America, our flag, and our freedom (and the soldiers who died for that freedom) rather than against President Trump (whose remarks they were actually protesting).  It’s pride that keeps them from seeing that owners do have a right to tell their employees how they should represent their teams (as a pastor I have free speech too, but I can’t say or do whatever I want without repercussions including being fired).

It’s pride that keeps so many supporters of President Trump from seeing and/or admitting when he is wrong or goes too far.  On the other hand, its pride that keeps some from seeing how the players might be wrong or went too far.  And it’s pride that makes anyone of us think that our own personal freedom of speech is more important than anyone else’s freedom of speech.

It’s pride that causes us to prop ourselves up, our gender, our group, or our race.  It’s pride that motivates certain police officers to prejudice and the abuse of power.  However, it’s also pride to assume all white police officers are like this and must be guilty when an African American is shot in the line of duty.

So what’s the answer?  It’s not more legislation.  That can’t change the human heart.  It’s also not more pride.  Pride is not a good thing.  If I’m propping myself up, I’m pushing someone else down.  Pride is a marriage killer, a family killer, a community killer, a nation killer, a world killer, and a church killer (the worst kind of pride is spiritual pride).  Pride is a relationship killer!

So how do we change this nation?  One heart at a time and it starts with the person in the mirror.  The first step and, in fact, the battle is this:  to admit you’re proud.  This is what God showed me a long time ago:  humility is not the absence of pride but the admission of it.  And when we admit this and decide to not let our pride control us, this is what happens:  “God…shows favor [or “gives grace”] to the humble” (James 4:6…brackets mine).  That’s right, you get God in your corner helping you.  On the other hand, if we won’t humble ourselves, we get this:  “God opposes the proud…” (James 4:6).  Do I even have to say it, that it’s not a good thing to have God working against you?  Very well then, enough said.

“…if my people, who are called by my name [not “America” but the followers of Jesus leading the way], will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”  2 Chronicles 7:14 (brackets mine)

Humbly your servant for Jesus’ sake,

Mel