“Every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” This Scripture verse, found in Judges 21:25, is very applicable when it comes to people who cause division. They believe that they are right and condemn people who do not line up with their own beliefs. In the Old Testament, when there was no king to rule, so the Israelites did what they believed what was right In their own eyes! They did not consider God and they did not consider each other. And this created A World Divided.
Cancel Culture and Social Media at It’s Core
Cancel culture is a perfect example of this. The world we are in especially with Social Media available, seeks to destroy one another when we are different and/or disagree. Instead of simply disagreeing, many people fight, cause tension and are very hostile to one another and do not build each other up.
Defining Division:
“Dividing is defined as the act of separating something into parts or the process of being separated.” A second definition is described as a disagreement between two or more groups, typically producing tension or hostility.
7 Areas that Cause Division
- Churches – Many denominations, philosophy’s of “Doing church”, beliefs. Ref: www.deceptioninthechurch.com
- Family – Beliefs, past wrongs, current hurt
- Race – Variety of color, countries of origin
- Communities – The way to do or not do events, crime, discipline
- Government, Politics – Two races – Democrat vs Republican constantly on the attack for the other. During the Presidential race last year, especially the speeches, there is no doubt, hostility on both sides was present.
- Media – One company states an event or displays a person or group one way, another company states the same topic or event or people/group a different way. Often, relevant information is included or left out in order to influence listeners or readers to believe one way over another.
- Education – Teaching even at a young age, the way to believe and influence beliefs.
A Personal Example
We sure DO see so much hostility today on social media. A personal example I have is one where I wrote a blog post regarding cancel culture recently. A reader disagreed with me regarding an example that I used. Three Dr. Seuss books were removed due to people offended about racial issues. This individual went on about how these books were offensive and we should all understand this. I disagree with this. The reader then wrote and called me a name that is used often in our current culture as derogatory and demeaning. The name mentions color and financial status. Number one, it is just as wrong to call someone a name indicating a color, especially if they complain about race issues. Secondly, the individual does not know my current financial status. The comment was demeaning and hypocritical.
This happens very regularly now. It displays judgment and condemnation. Something for which they are often complaining about others doing to them. This is why I use the verse and the story in the Old Testament about “every man(or woman) doing what is right in their own eyes.”
Rapidly Offended
People rapidly are offended at something stated that bothers them or their peers. Just watch on Facebook or Twitter. When a controversial topic is addressed or an event happens on the news, the comments pour in very fast and the nasty, hateful comments flood the pages. People are hostile, tense and easily offended. They insist that they are correct. Instead of taking time to look at the situation they are in, and take a step back, they simply bully the others that they discuss a topic with. They should realize that each one of us feels a certain amount of “right in our own eyes.” No attention is paid whatsoever to the Golden Rule which states to “Do unto others what you would have them do unto you.”
Rapidly Dividing
We are broken, sinful human beings. Instead of being quick to offend, defend and divide, it would be far better to take time to care about people. Social media, almost daily, contains disagreements, that turn into offensive fights. It is acceptable to disagree, but when we turn around and begin name calling and insulting a person, we have caused division. We have gone to the next level, creating hostility and tension. Too often, we are doing this to people we don’t even know personally unfortunately, because we don’t know know them, in our minds, we have determined that it is acceptable to rip a person apart. At times, we feel good about ourselves. But what have we really done? We have divided even more. Because this happens over and over, people have a ton of practice now causing division. Our hearts become more and more calloused and hardened.
Don’t Be a Bully
You see, it is not simply a disagreement. Dividing is pushing a person or group in one category or another. It is not a right or a wrong category, but what people think is right or wrong. This is dividing and it is wrong! God alone has the right to truly judge. Our way of “judging” is really condemnation. Every time we decide what we want for a meal or who to spend time with or what to do with our day, this is judging. When hostility and tension enter the picture, then we are condemning and thus dividing.
We also add pride to this as well when we decide that someone else is automatically wrong and we can’t be. This is not the same however as simply reading the Word of God, study what the Bible says and still be kind, regardless of whether we agree. Again, tension and hostility are truly are present when division occurs.
Applicable Scripture Passages
11 My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas[a]”; still another, “I follow Christ.”
1 Corinthians 1:11-12
25 In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.
Judges 21:25
A person may think their own ways are right,
but the Lord weighs the heart.
Proverbs 21:2
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.
18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[a] says the Lord.
20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good
Romans 12:17-21
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances…
Colossians 3:13
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Philippians 2:3-4
Due to being high risk for covid i have spent the past year in a self imposed quarantine, exposed mostly to my husband and two kids. Yesterday, Mother’s Day, i went to my mother in laws. She wanted to kiss and hug me, and i said I’m still in my bubble, so please respect that. She said we’ve both been vaccinated so i should be able to touch you. (I did not want to explain i saw her pick up dog poop with her bare hands). Anyway, i tried to speak three times, each time interrupted or talked over. By my own husband, he would not let me finish my thought. Time and distance allowed me to see the whole family is made up of bullies. I stopped talking and listened. Nobody missed me, they were too busy arguing that they were right and the other person was wrong. I was exhausted just listening. I made my husband take me home as soon as possible. Bullies are everywhere. I think trying to avoid them is the only way to have any peace of mind at all. Does anyone know something i can quarantine from for the next year? Asking for a friend.
Sorry that you are having difficulty with your family!
I do think the current state of discourse on social media is sad and scary to see how bad it has become.
Yes, it is hard to see people so unkind to each other. I see it spilling out now to regular life, not just on social media where people are so rude and hateful sometimes if people don’t agree with them.
Great post. Thank you.
I’ve been reflecting on this post for the last few hours.
I, too, have been ‘canceled’
One thought I’ve had is how we tend to lash out in thoughtless rage like infants.
Another is how victimhood bestows an entitlement of sorts – it is a path of dark empowerment which turns the abused of one generation into the abusers of the next.
Keep up your thoughtful writing!
Thank you so much for your comment and encouragement t!
You are right, we do tend to lash out!
Thank you😁
Sadly spot-on!
A very strong post🧡
Thank you😊
DOUBLE BLESSINGS!
I guess that copied twice😉, sorry
I am sorry you had to suffer that way. But when you speak out as you do for the good there will be rejection and that is when we rejoice for great is your reward in Heaven! I say good for you rduncan heart!
Thank you! I don’t like it when it happens but I am confident that the Lord is in control and I do rejoice.
1 Peter 4:12 and 13 are two of my favorite verses “, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you(A) to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice(B) inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ,(C) so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.(D) erses regarding this’ “don’t be surprised…” Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you(A) to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice(B) inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ,(C) so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.(D)
What a great post and perfectly true. Not many can agree to disagree anymore. If your thoughts or opinions go against what society says than your a racist bigot. I personally have gotten off Facebook and Twitter because of the hate that radiates off social media.
Yes!!!! Me too! Twitter especially! Thank you for commenting! I’m glad that you liked my post. For more, follow at Heartshare.blog
Thank you I’m definitely a follower 🙂
Thank you!
Thank you for sharing this post! All of the hatred has made it a more difficult world to live in. I pray daily for darkened hearts and lost souls to turn to the Lord and see their need for Him. It’s sad to see so much division especially in the church. We are the body of Christ and we must keep fighting the good fight of our faith. We have to stand firm and give the enemy more resistance as he continues to steal, kill and destroy. May we all walk in the abundant grace, love and forgiveness God has given us.
Thank you Monica for your comment! I value you sharing what you believe also! Especially as believers, we need to stand STRONG against the enemy! God is stronger! We need to be a light to those who live in darkness and influence everywhere we can! God Bless You! Keep strong and keep writing for Him!