Bible Thoughts With Will Brown

“For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother” (Matthew 12:50).

My heart is heavy this week. Why? I care deeply about people and the human condition, and the unrest in the United States continues. As a black person who has experienced the wickedness of racism first-hand, I shake my head, wondering when discrimination will end.

Satan promotes divisive action known as deeds of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21). Violence and destruction of property is not a wise way to get opposing minds to change perspective and is also a deed of the flesh. Violence as a response is not the answer and is wrong because innocent people always get caught in the crossfire. Violence historically destroys good causes because it does not promote right, only selfish motivations. 

Next, Opinion alert! I do not understand why people like Candace Owens and those who agree with her views choose to approach controversial incidents surrounding a person of color with a lens of dismissal over listening. What is not under dispute is that George Floyd was murdered. What is not under dispute is that his family will forever hurt because of the way he died. Candace, the character assassination approach, is a weak approach at best, and the continual implementation diminishes your creditability by the minute. Mr. Floyd’s past did not kill him; Officer Chauvin’s lack of empathy and poor training did. Candace, I agree that black culture is not monolithic, meaning life experience is unique to each person. The black facts talking points are misapplied in the Floyd case.

As a preacher of the gospel of Christ and believer of absolute truth and true justice, let us look at what the Bible says is not under dispute. Let us turn to the Bible’s wisdom literature, Proverbs. 

“Do not envy a man of violence And do not choose any of his ways. For the devious are an abomination to the Lord; But He is intimate with the upright. The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked, But He blesses the dwelling of the righteous. Though He scoffs at the scoffers, Yet He gives grace to the afflicted. The wise will inherit honor, But fools display dishonor” (Proverbs 3:31–35). 

Based on the passage above, who is the man of violence in the George Floyd case? Who is devious and an abomination to the LORD? Consequences for actions appear like curses to people. Who are the righteous that receive blessings? Who are the afflicted? Who is foolish and displaying dishonor?

In sum, what is not under dispute is that 2020 continues to be a year of pain and suffering for many. What is not under dispute is what we are still amid a pandemic, and some people do not seem to care about protecting all human life. Finally, what is not under dispute is that righteous will prevail in the end, and all people will have to justify how they treated people on earth to God.  Be kind to one another. Use the Bible’s platinum standard. Please treat each other better than you want to be treated (Luke 6:35-36).