Doug Van Pelt

The self-righteous ex-sinner

I had an angry visitor at the HM Ranch today. I could tell they'd been mad about something for a good long while, because as soon as I said "Hello," they launched into their tirade.

"You need to stop supporting the band Hawk Nelson!"
Why?
"Because they are encouraging kids to get drunk. 'Be not drunk with wine, but be filled with the Spirit,' the Word of God says."
What are you talking about?
"Their so-called 'hit' song, 'Bring 'Em Out' tells kids over and over again to "...raise your fists if you're pissed like this..."
That's not what they...
"Oh, I know what they meant! I know what pissed means. My father was Irish!"
But that's not even what they're saying in the song. They're singing: Pump up your fists if you twist like this.
"Oh..."

This particular conversation didn't really happen. I imaginged it all as I was making coffee this morning. I was reminded how some people hold on to associations from the past, and small things can trigger them so hard that it blinds them to the simple facts. I used to be over sensitive to the verb "party." When I was in high school, it meant "smoke pot." If you "partied" it meant you smoked dope ... or at least were "cool with it." The current definition I hear now is more along the lines of attending parties or get togethers -- with no necessary inebrients.

I wonder why some believers are quick to judge and/or jump to conclusions. Sometimes it seems like we hold on to our "bad, bad sinful past" like a badge that allows us expert advice on the subject. You know, if I was once a member of a gang and I noticed a member of a Christian band using a hand symbol that showed allegiance to that gang, I would hope that I wouldn't get bent out of shape and charge onto message boards and spread my slander everywhere for all to see.

I think it's cool that Jesus was realistic in His instructions to us. He knew that we'd be offended by and sinned against by others. He gave us great guidelines in Matthew 18 on how to properly deal with this when it happens. This is helpful advice to remember.

If I used to do such and such whenever I was involved in xyz-sin, then it's easy for me to assume that, when I see such and such behavior, that xyz is going on. It's not always true. Having this knowledge is helpful and can be useful, but it shouldn't be rushed to. At least that's my thought on the matter.

Leave me a comment and let me know what you think. Oh! I forgot! No one can leave comments on this site right now because of some problem with the database behind it. Argh!

Posted by Doug Van Pelt at December 4, 2007 08:28 AM