Don't Let a Politically Correct Spirit Compromise Your Witness

If there is one thing that you can be certain of, it’s that Jesus was not moved by a spirit of political correctness. Everything he taught and did in ministry went contrary to the prevailing culture of his day. While he fulfilled the law of Moses, he elevated it to what it was purposed for, not what it had become under those who were among the scribes, rabbinical elders, and leaders of that time. Jesus taught his disciples to be different and to walk according to a different spirit. Jesus challenged the status quo by teaching and proclaiming a gospel that elevated the scriptures to their purest purpose. His witness was perfect because he did not cave to the pressures of men or any spirit of the enemy.

We are witnessing a day in which the church is losing its impact and power because it has become compromised by a spirit of political correctness. Never before have we seen more churches acquiesce through “tolerance” and acceptance of cultural norms rather than standing firm on the foundation of Christ. Jesus challenged religious ideologies and cultural norms because it was necessary in order to create freedom for those who had been neglected, ignored, forgotten, and belittled.

Your witness is intended to draw attention to God and His Kingdom which brings freedom. However, if your witness becomes compromised by a spirit of political correctness you have negated the power of that gospel to do what it is meant to accomplish.

I watched in this past year, leaders in the church promote abortion, the growing, and selling of mind-altering drugs, and elevate satanically or at the very least anti-Christian based music and the artists who sing it. I watched top universities promote non-biblical themes that are an assault on the very image of God. I’ve even seen pastors who have openly welcomed satanic groups who desire to educate children.

I often ask the question of why there has been such a move by faith leaders to compromise their witness and give in to the spirit of political correctness. Ultimately the answer is fear. Fear is at the root of it all. There are fears of losing congregational and public influence, membership, finances, status, clout, or access to those that have it. The model of Jesus’ witness was nothing like this. While he cast a wide net that drew crowds, his focus was concise and designed to keep those who had an ear to hear and a heart to receive. Jesus’ goal was to present his Father to the world and a Kingdom that has no end. However, he also presented a God and Kingdom that has an order and a standard.

Rooting out the spirit of political correctness is a matter of renewing the mind according to the thoughts and ways of the Kingdom (Romans 12:2). Political Correctness is a thought pattern or a system of thought of this world that flatters and panders for the sake of acceptance and fears the making of mistakes. God’s heart is that we would mature, grow, and develop the fruit of the Spirit. Accomplishing this does not mean we’ll be perfect but it is a process of being perfected. Isaiah 55:9 tells us that God’s thoughts and ways of doing things are superior to our carnal and fleshly ways. That is why we must renew our minds to His way of thinking, doing, and being.

Thinking, doing, and being how God causes us to move in opposition to how the world works and operates but God promises that when we are in Him, He causes all things to work together for good (Romans 8:28). God designed the fivefold ministry for the purpose of perfecting saints. However, if pastors whose charge is to guard the saints, do not guard through sound doctrine, counsel, and instruction, what becomes of the saint? The abdication of that authority weakens the witness of the pastor and potentially places a stumbling block or leads the saint in the direction of a ditch.

In 2023, it is imperative that we become aware of and eliminate anything that appears politically correct. Our witness must remain powerful. Our witness must cause others to know who God truly is and what His heart is towards those we meet. This year and beyond are very important and must not be taken lightly. What we do has not just have an impact in the immediate moment it happens. It also has a rippling effect over time.