Last week was one of the longest weeks ever to me and I thought it would never end. Had to deal with so many hate-filled people and no matter how hard you try, it tends to eventually affect you if you are bombarded by it. The dreary weather certainly doesn’t help anyone’s spirit that’s for sure.
I remind myself that there are still lots of good people in the world but it seems the hateful ones make the most noise. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can say to them that will change their hearts, only God can take care of that.
One lady even told me not to waste my breath on praying for her but use it for those who needed it. So, what does that tell me about her heart. That she truly needs Jesus. All of us need prayer.
I had an elected official in FV call me a liar, even when I produced the truth with court documents. She obviously did not read the article. Some people cannot handle the truth even when presented in court documents because it doesn’t line up with their perception. That’s actually how my week began. I ended that with saying I was praying for the community. All communities need prayer but some are in real trouble and FV is one of those.
I am reminded we should pray for our enemies as well, which sometimes is very hard to do when they are so combative but I do pray for them and that God would change their hearts.
I listened as citizens crucified a friend of mine I’ve known for 30 or more years because he stated his opinion. They didn’t like the words he chose when he was talking about censorship and it’s consequences. A so-called pastor even chimed in. I say so-called because God would not be pleased with his comments. Not everyone who calls themselves a pastor has been called by God.
My friend apologized profusely but that was not good enough. Knowing him I know that he would not try to purposely offend anyone. I know that your words do matter, especially if you are in a leadership role. Two of those browbeating him also serve and they are two of the worst about putting their opinions on social media. Yet they berated my friend for doing so.
My friend even asked for forgiveness, which I have to say, I would not have done if I believed in what I said, but that’s me. He did not say anything which needed forgiveness, he just stated his opinion. We have gone down a very dangerous road here.
I tried not to respond to any of those people but after his heartfelt apology they still continued and I couldn’t stand it. Even the pastor didn’t want to express forgiveness and was condoning the hate. He claimed to be “well-versed” in forgiveness but did not want to offer any. After reminding him that God won’t forgive those who do not forgive, I left it at that because you are in a no win situation with people who do not filter their speech through the word of God or whose speech does not line up with the word of God.
I will be the first to admit I fail in that area at times, but constantly work at doing just that. It’s disheartening that pastors are contributing to the hate going on in the world and many do not even know what God’s word says and are misleading their flock. The Bible tells us that we will be held responsible for the words we speak as well as our actions and that those who teach others are held to a higher standard and will be judged more harshly.
What is even sadder is that their flock does not question anything they say, heaven forbid challenge it, without checking the Bible against what is said. We are not to blindly follow and God expects us to be knowledgeable about His word as well.
What comes out of people’s mouth speaks volumes about what is their hearts. Therein is were the real problem lies … in the heart. God knows our heart but when we speak hatred, everyone else knows it as well.
And everyone, when they don’t agree with you, wants to bring out the race card. I hold to the fact, that according to the Bible, there is only one race, the human race. Darker color skins have more melanin in their skin. We bleed the same and everything else is the same. I’m not saying that discrimination doesn’t occur because I myself, have experienced it. But we need to learn how to talk about these problems without bringing in skin color and quit using it as an excuse. I don’t know how to accomplish that because I have tried to have conversations about it, but people get mad and want to tell you that you don’t understand because you haven’t experienced it without knowing whether that is the truth or not.
I’m just really sick of the division in this nation and people not taking up for people just because they are humans not because of the melanin in their skins. God expects us to love everyone, regardless.
I also personally believe he is separating us into the wheat and chaff and showing us who are true believers and those who are not. To some it sounds trite to say a house divided cannot stand but it is very true. God is calling us to stand for Him and be bold and to put our differences aside for His purpose. He wants warriors of truth, justice and Biblical principles. He is also reminding us that everything happens in His timing.
What can we do? Search our hearts before the Lord and ask Him to remove anything that is not of Him. Be careful of the words we speak and show kindness to everyone and to pray for them, even those who we perceive as evil.©2021

VICTORIA SIMMONS Is a columnist, author, motivational speaker, minister and publisher of The Georgia Post/Byron Buzz. Contact her at: vsimmons54@gmail.com