[Originally shared July 2, 2020]
Both sides. BOTH SIDES! I’m looking at you…and YOU too!
Here’s a post I came across the other day. It was shared by a very well-known and influential Christian leader on her social media pages…
“But in humility, consider others…[insert cute drawing of a mask with flowers]…as more important than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3)
“…tsk, tsk…those prideful, selfish non-maskers…shame! For shame…”
(hard eye-roll)
Really? If I don’t wear a mask I’m not humble? I don’t put others before myself? Really?
And then I came across another post. This time…anti-mask!! Ooooooh, go get ’em…
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear…[insert paper mask]…but of power, love, and a sound mind.”
“Grrrr…oh, those sheep wearing their useless masks…why are they all so dumb???”
(hard eye-roll)
Wow. The Word of God sure is convenient. Sure is helpful.
Huh.
So, wait, if I do wear a mask I’m living in a spirit of fear? I don’t have love or a sound mind?
M-kay.
Stop. Just stop it.
Stop spiritualizing the mask issue.
People who are wearing a mask aren’t weak, lacking in faith, or have unsound minds – not necessarily at least. They may be all of those things…but that’s not your call. Certainly not your call to pluck some Bible verse, post it out there, tack a mask onto it and assume these mask wearers are duped little sheep following the mandates of a corrupt government-initiated “plandemic” meant to usher in the new world order.
And guess what? – People who don’t wear masks aren’t arrogant, self-loving, prideful jerks – necessarily. Maybe they are. Is that your call? Is it up to you to take God’s word, find a verse that pushes your point and stab it onto your social media wall like you’re nailing up a thesis on their sacrilegious door?
Stop it.
Y’all come off as a bunch of hypocritical Pharisees. Standing up in your little prayer closets with a peek-a-boo window looking down on the world as you glibly post your out-of-context “life verse”.
Stop.
Is it up to you to take God’s word, find a verse that pushes your point and stab it onto your social media wall like you’re nailing up a thesis on their sacrilegious door?
Don’t weaponize God’s word against your brothers and sisters in Christ. The word of God is the sword of the Spirit – a weapon against the Evil One, so stab away at him. Get on your knees first, and then stand on your feet girded with truth and covered in righteousness – not self-righteousness and disdain. Get ready with the gospel of peace not your agenda of personal opinion. Get that shield of faith up because the Evil one is your enemy – not your masked or mask-resistant neighbor. Aim your sword at Satan as you bow in prayer.
Don’t weaponize God’s word against your brothers and sisters in Christ. The word of God is the sword of the Spirit – a weapon against the Evil one, so stab away at him.
Using a Bible verse to tell Christians – or anyone – to wear or not wear masks is passive-aggressive, self-righteous, and spiritual abuse.
And don’t “yeah- but” me as you’re reading this with all the articles you’ve read and all the sources you know. Stop. Quit dividing the church. Be at peace and know your Enemy. He’s playing us. Playing us against one another and honestly, we’re playing right into his plans.
Wear your mask. Don’t wear your mask. Just don’t be a jerk about it. Be humble and stop using God’s Word to suit your feelings today, because just a few months ago not one of us had even considered any of this and none of us has become omniscient in that time. So you don’t actually know. You don’t.
Wear your mask. Don’t wear your mask. Just don’t be a jerk about it
Use God’s word. Please do. Use it though to keep humble and pray for forgiveness. Read the Word to know the will of God. Pray for healing in the church…unity amongst God’s people…clarity about the true enemy and …faith in the true Victor – Jesus Christ! We got this, sister! We are together, brother…but not if we keep going at one another.
Stay focused. Stay hopeful. Stay on your knees and in the presence of God with whom we are able to stand and having done all…to stand firm.
As my husband has cancer and a compromised immune system. . Yes we do ware a mask . I know our days are numbered by the Lord . But using wisdom to help in a time when things are uncertain. Doesn’t really matter what others thinks . It’s a choice . Just like it’s a choice to accept Christ .
Exactly. A wise choice is knowing your personal situation and deciding for yourself. A mature choice is resisting the temptation to dishonor others for what they choose to do, but to do “justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.” Blessings to you and your husband, Vicki.
This is great! I’ve heard both sides. I appreciate the reminders that most of all we are not to judge. Think of people who tattoo their bodies. How do we look at them? Does it make them a devil worshipper for having one? Of course not. No matter how one May feel on this issue, they will go before God, not us. We are not going to be witnesses for their prosecution.
Yes. You are selfish if you don’t wear a mask. This is an airborne potentially fatal disease. Your government is not trying to “take away your rights” or put microchips in you. Because you want to risk your life and think it’s just the flu, you are endangering others with health issues. I will be praying for your children and hoping they don’t contract this horrible disease because of your wrong-minded opinion. Don’t hide behind religion.
…not sure where you got the “quotes” from and why you would attribute them in any way to my post but I don’t think this is the government taking my rights away, nor do I believe there’s a microchip in the vaccine, and I do not think this is “just the flu.” I said none of those things in my post – I did say that people on both sides of this issue should stop spiritualizing masks – a point which you have not only missed but actually helped me to prove by telling me I’m selfish. Meanwhile, in the time since you left your comment (Sep. 7, 2021) and I had an opportunity to get back to my blog (Sep. 30, 2021), I have recovered from having contracted Covid as have several other dear friends and family members all of whom have used caution, common sense, and wore a mask when near anyone who was compromised in any way before we got sick and we continue to do so having contracted and recovered. So, again, you are incorrect. It’s not an act of selfishness to choose when or even if to wear a mask – it’s an act of free will and common sense and I hold no judgment toward those no matter what they choose to do. Mask or not – chose. Just don’t accuse people – like you have clearly done – of being selfish and hiding behind religion.
Except mask mandates are not the law of the land. Further, context is everything. I’ve witnessed Romans 13 weaponized in my own local church and I believe it’s an over simplification of a complex issue where no one really wants to grow in wisdom. It creates a breeding ground for spiritual abuse and division within the body.
There are recent well-done studies that have concluded wearing masks may have little to no affect on the transmission of the virus everyone is so fixated these days. There have also been studies indicating the long-term wearing of cloth masks cause an increase in the occurrence of influenza-like illness of those wearing them. A different study has examined the nebulizing effect of cloth masks caused by talking, coughing, sneezing, singing, etc, upon larger droplets initially ‘captured’ by the masks. This causes aerosolization of those droplets which 1) remain airborne longer and 2) can more easily reach further into the respiratory system of a host (in fact, to the alveoli. This point alone means that masks not only may not be effective in protecting you, the actually may be endangering this around you.
Whether you refuse to believe masks could in fact be both ineffective and actually exacerbating the spread (making the virus even more deadly, especially for those with pre-existing respiratory conditions and immune deficiencies), these studies should be a part of the conversation.
Furthermore, the shadow of doubt that these studies cast on the “common sense” of mask wearing requires the wisdom and courage to question authority because of its public health ramifications. THIS alone renders Romans 13 out of context for this scenario. It actually is more in line with the promise that God gives us a sound mind vs. a spirit of fear.
Good thoughts, Todd. Thanks for your input.
I saw a young woman in a store recently that was not wearing a mask, nor was her daughter. Someone loudly berated her and so I stopped to speak to her. I was wearing a mask, but I told her that I appreciated the fact that she was willing to do what she felt was right. She explained that she had been in the medical field and knew that masks were not a “miracle worker” and that there was still the possibility of contracting Covid even if she was wearing one. Her little boy was born during the pandemic and had never really seen people’s faces and was afraid of the masks. He was about to cry as she was telling me this story. So I pulled off my mask and spoke to him and smiled and soon he was laughing and cooing. Was the berater a Christian? I don’t know, but I know that no one should be talked to the way she was. This has been my thinking from the beginning, and my skin crawls every time I see someone spiritualizing their position. Thank you for sharing this. I couldn’t have said it better. You mentioned that you had seen this on someone else’s post. Do you mind me asking who originally wrote it? I appreciate you sharing it! God bless.
Thank you for your thoughtful response and also for the kind way you engaged that young woman. My intention isn’t to bring undue attention or be negative toward to Christian woman who posted that original mask post that got me thinking about all this. I’ll email you privately.
Wow! This is the first I’m hearing about any of this. I appreciate what you have written about the whole issue.
I think you nailed this post for the most part. We have so much diversity and division. And before even giving mu side, I’ll admit I was one that didnt really care to wear a mask except at places where it was mandatory because of asthma and mask making it harder to breath. But having had Covid run through my house recentlynhiting my wife who is a teacher for disability and our kids also getting it. I am far more cautious now.
I have not seen many people use the mask as a religious tout, but I have seen it used politically. Covid is a pandemic virus. One that, like say the a common cold or flu, people can not easily avoid and spreads via airborne particles of saliva. While masks may not be 100% effective, they can help to slow the spread. The mask isnt about “LoSiNg My FrEeDoMs” as many have freakee out over. Its about helping curb a virus that is still seeing numbers rise world wide… I’ll say that again for the Americans here that think we are the only country that has it or the political election year trope or simply those that think Americans are the only ones that exist….. its numbers are still rising World Wide. Yes some countries have done well. Others not so much. America hasn’t done well because citizens have been very whiney and claim that think their freedom is being stolen or lost over a mask. Yes their are some reasonable causes such as hard to breathe due to asthma, or skin irritation, etc. Move to another country though and 75% of the rest of the world actually wears masks even just for a sniffle or a common cold out of respect for its fellow citizens or visitors to their country. They have more respect than our own country sadly I have found ever will until we learn to grow up and return to what we use to be as a country.
I think the “not given a spirit of fear” and the “sound (aka reasonable) mind” phrases are together in the same verse for a reason. There can sometimes be a fine line between faith and foolishness. If you know you are immune compromised spend time with someone who is, or have to go somehere that people will be in close quarters (ie. airplane) then precautions taken show that you are using the “sound mind” that God gave you. Those precautions don’t necessarily mean you are filled with a spirit of fear.
I am probably more afraid of living in a world where we are allowing Satan to isolate us from the Christian love and fellowship we need and torment us with messages of doom through excess consumption of ll manner of media, than I am about dying and entering that perfect place Christ has prepared for me.
I feel a need, more than ever, for revival of my soul — time spent in the Word, prayer and fellowship with other believers so I can confidently stand in expectant hope.
Thank you for saying thi! I just replied basically the same thing to someone else. Satan is using this issue to divide the Church, and get us fighting each other and not him
I so appreciate your perspective! Satan knew this would divide the local, church and he has us isolated and out of community, we are a much easier target for the enemy!
It’s not about a Bible verse it’s all about control! So I choose not to wear one, so if they ask you to put a chip in your hand you’ll take one?
Thank you for this. It is exactly what I have been seeing, and my heart breaks as a pastor’s wife. Both sides. Stop. Just stop! There is plenty of medical evidence on both sides of the issue. As Romans 14 eludes, don’t quarrel over your opinions. Thanks again.
No..wear a mask. Don’t encourage people to NOT wear masks. This is not a spiritual issue. Wear the mask because if you don’t, you are actively endangering the lives of anyone you come in contact with as well as your own. For the same reason you choose to stop at a red light instead of blowing right through it..it’s because we ALL agreed that it’s the safe thing to do for everyone. Wear a mask, wash your hands. God loves you, but use some common sense.
Not sure if you read my post or not, but my point wasn’t about wearing a mask or not. I neither encouraged nor discouraged mask wearing. (You can actually read my husband’s and my personal choice on the matter in a reply to a comment further down on this thread) The point of this post wasn’t to take a stand either way but to ask that we not judge one another about it and then use the Bible to somehow validate our decision. As for “ALL agreed” – no we didn’t. Even the experts didn’t agree and we were constantly informed, misinformed, re-informed and then penalized if we didn’t “agree” with the opinion and advice du jour, so you’ll need to have a little more grace for those who’ve hesitated or have been down-right rebellious in light of consistent inconsistencies and dubious information. I’ll approve your post this time, but going forward, you’ll need to have the courage to stand by your actual name and a legitimate email address.)
Thank you for such a fair, balanced truthful message. Love it!
Thank you so much for this!💕
I love what you said here and completely agree. However, for many of us in states where masks are mandatory or face a fine/imprisonment for non compliance, the issue becomes more complex. Are we to obey an order as long as it doesn’t go against God’s law, even though it violates our freedoms? I’ve seen friends post on Facebook about not using liberty as an occasion to the flesh so as not to cause a weaker brother or sister in Christ to stumble. I totally understand where they’re coming from, but is this the same thing? I do wear a mask when forced to because I don’t want to get into trouble or see businesses close down again. And, obviously, as a Christian I want to have a good testimony. Again, I totally agree with what you said, but it is different when mask wearing is no longer a choice. God bless you! ❤❤❤
Thanks for writing this! My daughter has been shamed for wearing one, and it’s been suggested that she does not have faith in God. This is the way I tried to help her understand that those who told her that are WRONG. I have faith in God, but I still look both ways before I cross the street! I don’t just blindly cross the street saying “God will protect me.” We still have responsibility to use the brain God gave us to make good choices to keep ourselves safe everyday! And that certainly doesn’t mean we lack faith!!! Great article!
Thank you for posting this. Going to share! I wear a mask only to comply with “rules” but I have asthma and anxiety and have a hard time keeping one on because it flares up my asthma. I respect anyone’s decision to wear one or not but have been made to feel guilty if I can’t wear it. No one knows anyone’s circumstances and why or why not they are wearing a mask. We need to judge less and trust more. God is our defender and shield ultimately. 🙏🏻❤️
Right on! I’m so tired of Christians putting other Christians down on this!
I loved this post and is speaking to me loudly. I do wear a mask and my personal opinion is that I wish everyone would to protect each other. I feel it’s better safe than sorry. I would rather wear one and find out I didn’t need to then not wear one and I find out I needed to when it is too late. But…I love this post because I have to remember that isy opinion and God is way bigger!
I’m fine with people not wearing a mask, but please keep your distance. Unfortunately most people don’t know what 6ft looks like. If you see someone with a mask on they may be sick and trying to protect those around them. Or as in our case are suffering from an autoimmune disease that has zapped their immune system. So when you observe someone wearing a mask just be respectful of their rights also to be able to go out into public without the threat of becoming ill. Thank you for listening.
Thank you!!!!! I’ve been saying this exact thing. I told my husband that people spiritualizing the mask was making me sick. We have to be careful not to use scripture to promote our views.
I feel everyone should wear a mask. As Christians we are told this:
The Bible instructs followers to obey the government. … Romans 13:1-2 says: “Obey the government, for God is the One who has put it there. There is no government anywhere that God has not placed in power. So those who refuse to obey the law of the land are refusing to obey God, and punishment will follow.”
That is my opinion on the matter like it or not.
Great blog. I think it should be up to the individual if they want to wear a mask. The government should not mandate the use of a mask as that I feel violates our rights. When wear a mask I feel like I cannot breathe and then I start having anxiety attacks. If someone wants to wear a mask that fine me, I just do not want be called names for not wearing one.
Indidvidual rights end when what “you” do endangers the lives of others.
Amen! Amen! Amen! God bless you for upholding His Words in the right context. ❤️
You said, “Here’s a post I came across the other day. It was shared by a very well-known and influential Christian leader to her social media pages…” Can you share who wrote this?
Beautiful. Right to the point. I’ve decided to wear it when in asked to and because it’s kind to make others feel safe. Period. Moving on.
I think this is a great article! You are 100% correct. I can not wear a mask, they give me panic attacks and I usually only shop wear I know they are not required. I have had nothing said to me. I have gone into a few other places and I am very careful and social distance. As you said it is not in our place to judge either side.
This is he land of the free because of the brave. One nation under God. Wear a mask, don’t wear a mask. I don’t care. Just know that I don’t want to wear a mask!
I wear a mask only because it is a state mandate. I don’t believe the mask helps anything and I think corona virus is not deadly.
Thank you for perspective.
I’m one of those who really believes the masks and social distancing stuff is the best way to go, especially in public when indoors or in a crowd outdoors. Many friends strongly feel the opposite way and we are cool with each other. My confusion came with some continually referring to me as being “fearful.” These comments were said not in an overtly condemning way, but in that polite “I’m just looking after your soul” style that some are so proficient with. I was baffled. I don’t see myself as fearful in general. Is fear a sin? As a lifelong Catholic Christian, I’d never heard this. Catholics do not fear fear. It’s a tool used to warn us of danger so we can act. There’s been a great temptation for me to throw spiritual counter arguments at critics, but for some reason I haven’t. Maybe your post here is the reason. Maybe God doesn’t want me to do that. Maybe my recent style of inviting without judging is better — less immediately satisfying, but maybe a better example to set. Maybe.
Thank you for a forthright article.
I personally don’t think wearing a mask constitutes fear. I feel it’s just being responsible. I am a Christian and I choose to wear one, but I would never judge someone who doesnt. It’s God’s place to judge not mine. I loved the article.
About 6 weeks ago, I was having a late night talk with one of my healthcare colleagues (Thank God for these folks!). We both had patient & family situations where we were physically and mentally and spiritually exhausted. My friend’s young patient had died that day from Covid 19 pneumonia, and we were basically sounding each other out. We talked about how isolated and unsupported we both felt from our church families as well as other family and friends. This was not because of social distancing but rather due to the torrid of awful posts and shared posts and words verbalized by our church family members and others. The defeat and trauma experienced by this lack of disregard for others is really without words that can describe it. These words, attitudes, and actions have paid their toll.
Now that more and more people are being personally affected by Covid 19, those that have participated in the “attacks” on healthcare workers and those patients/ families affected by Covid have their own consciences to deal with. I guess we will now all see articles and posts like these so that this awful behavior can by slyly dismissed.
Where is the body of Christ? Where are the hands and feet of Jesus? I know that myself and my healthcare colleagues as well as the sick patients and their families have had tremendous difficulty seeing you guys!
I appreciate your words of wisdom. As a believer In Jesus Christ I do want to do what is right and keep in mind Eph. 6:12. I do get confused and caught up with the whole covid stuff and want to represent Jesus without feeling like I am being lead like a sheep to the slaughter house. When and how does one speak up when it is difficult to trust what you hear these days?
Thank you for this!
I personally don’t wear a mask. However, I don’t criticize those who do. I know we are fighting a spiritual battle. I pray against the darkness.
A verse comes to mind
It ends: rightly dividing the Word of Truth
Love, love, love this!! I’m what they call a “bare face” and this is quite a controversial topic. Thank you for speaking such truth regarding those condemning from the pulpit. United we stand; divided we fall.
And most of all… Please don’t think that ALL Christians go around making these judgements! These are a HANDFUL of people… Most of us don’t judge… we know better.
This is perfect timing, issues exactly as you described..thank you for the spiritual insite
.God bless you
Thanks for posting this. I agree…. we should not judge the heart of others out of fear one way or the other. I think it’s up to each individual to follow their convictions, about masks or anything else. The key is to truly know what your convictions are based on or rather, Who they are based on. We have enough issues dividing our nation right now – we don’t need another excuse to judge.
Good point, Jan…we need to know our convictions and in Whom we trust! Amen! Unite on the essentials. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
It’s not about “should Christians wear masks”. Asking that question makes this a spiritual issue. Everyone should wear a mask. I will not try to find scripture which speaks to should I or should I not mask because there isn’t one. But…there are many scriptures that speak to submission to authority. Christians submit to authority unless we are being asked to sin. Masking is not a sin. If your Mayor, Governor, or Pastor asks you to wear a mask, you submit and mask.
Wearing a mask is to perpetuate and to participate in a lie. It is supporting and perpetuating the culture of fear and divisiveness that has gripped our society and leaked into the church. It’s a visual, outward sign of you agreeing with and supporting this culture.
When Chicken Little comes running into the barnyard screaming about how the sky is falling, it’s wrong for our governors, or our pastors!, to try to force us to run and scream along with him. Masks do far more damage than good. From day one masks were never about safety; they were and have always been about control.
I’m one of those people who-due to a real issue-can only wear a mask for short periods at a time before starting to feel sick. So I make choices. If I cannot get in and get my business accomplished within 15-20 minutes, I stay home. Walmart is not worth an afternoon of headaches and nausea, but my family and church family are…I can fully understand both sides of the issue, and appreciate SO much your words of wisdom.
I personally do not wear a mask and I have no problem if others choose to wear them. But I can tell you that the Christians that I know that wear a mask are very forthcoming with their disbelief that I don’t and won’t wear one and have said those same things to me. I have heard I’m being selfish, I’ve heard I need to put others before myself and love my neighbor and just wear a mask. I’ve heard it all and it saddens my heart bc I have not said anything to them about them wearing a mask. Satan is truly dividing! Right before our eyes!
What if wearing a mask is the law. Do you obey the law?
Are you honestly asking or being provocative? If it is a law, then it’s a law. I, personally try my best to obey laws (not that I don’t go over the speed limit on occasion). My post isn’t about the legality of the masks in any way. My post is about people spiritualizing the mask issue – an issue which at the time I wrote the post – was not law. My post is about making mask wearing a WWJD (what would Jesus do?) moment. It’s not. As of the writing of this post (as well as my comment here) wearing a mask is not a law. It is a mandate. Let’s not judge a person’s spiritual status based on whether or not they wear a mask.
As Christians shouldn’t every moment, every decision be okay to think of as a WWJD moment? I’m confused as to why you wouldn’t ask that question.
Thank you for your thoughtful comment. I do appreciate the engagements. I think I understand your premise…that as Christ-followers we should always have “cristus primatas tenens” – that Christ would hold first place in our lives, and that with that mindset we would then consider all actions through the lens of what would Jesus himself do if he were in this very situation. If I’m accurate in that, then you and I are on common ground. So, in that grand sense – yes – we, by all and any means, should in humility absolutely consider what Jesus would do were he in our shoes at any given moment. That being said, in the context of my post, we should not then use the Words Jesus spoke to batter, shame, or manipulate our fellow believers to come over to our side – and by “side” I mean what a thoughtful, prayerful Christian has determined in their life to be “what Jesus would have done.” Some have decided Jesus would have worn a mask – others that He would not have. There is a difference between our estimation of what we think Jesus would do and what Jesus actually did. What Jesus did – among other things – was to challenge the religious leaders and especially the religious cult of Pharisaism – which took the good and perfect law of God (the Torah) and turned it into a “what would God (and by extension His priests) do” cult of legalism, worldly judgementalism, and hypocrisy. That is why we should not spiritualize the wearing or not wearing of masks. As for me and my house, we wear masks. We have decided that it is the kind and respectful thing to do when asked by our government and local businesses. But, I don’t shame people who have not come to the same conclusion I have and I don’t glory in my “team” of folks who have decided to do the same as we have. As far as WWJD? Jesus would love others as himself – masked or not. Thanks again for your comment and question.
Do you see, by adding, “as for me and my house we wear masks. We have decided that it is the kind and respectful thing to do when asked by our government and local businesses” that sounds judgmental? Then the ones who are not wearing masks, are not kind and respectful? The main message of your post is not to judge or shame each other about this, but then you are “ kind and respectful” for wearing them, as opposed to being unkind and disrespectful for not wearing them. We don’t need to know if you are wearing them or not, or why you wear them or not. It doesn’t matter to me if someone is wearing them or not, or why they are or are not wearing them. No explanation needed. I hope you won’t take offense at my comment, I am now so afraid to ever comment or make a point about anything.
RIght on, Sister! Boy, you really showed those non-mask wearing hypocrites…. those self-righteous mask-wearers… the Pharisees among us (in us) who we really are, even when we’re IN Christ. We do Him no favors when we ARE ignorant to the devil and his plans. DIvide, divide, divide… and let it first begin at the House of God.
How about “Repent” Forgive” and Heal” and let THAT start at the House of God, within the family of God, so we can be seen as the children of God to a world that needs God.
thanks! (and to those I’ve offended… I am sorry, and ask forgiveness.)
This is beautiful and outstanding! Truth!!
Thank you! Glad it resonated with you…and thank you so much for sharing. I appreciated that too! 🙂
Thanks for sharing! I feel as we should respect others and those who are in charge to abide by the mask statement. I don’t like them but if it’s going to help not spread my germs to those who have an immune compromise disease/weakness then I’m going to do it! It’s hard for me to draw a line or see ” black and white” as I’ve always been a “rule follower,” I struggle with the whole thing and my fellow Christian friends who think it’s all a conspiracy or that their freedom is being violated. It’s so hard!!! As if being a follower of Christ wasn’t already challenging you have to add in a pandemic. Ugh!
Boy did you hit the nail on the head. There sure is a lot of yelling going on and I actually have fearful moments of going out in public sometimes with and sometimes without a mask. I’m afraid of getting it all wrong. I just want to cry. I just want this all to be over with 😥😥😥😥
Aw, I feel you!! It’s just all really hard. Hang in there. Know that literally no one has this figured out – no matter how loudly they may yell. Be at peace and just keep asking God for the grace and wisdom to live well through it all… to His glory! 💕
I definitely feel the pressure from both sides of the mask issue. I’m not a good Christian if… I’m a bad Christian because… It’s been disheartening to say the least. I’ve just been respectful of the situation I’m in. No, we don’t wear masks in my house or outside in nature. When I visit my best friend who’s battling cancer, you better believe I’m masked up. If a store says I need a mask to enter, I wear the mask. A mask is not the hill I want to die on.
Thank you for sharing this article! It hurts to see my brothers and sisters in Christ fighting each other over wearing or not wearing face masks. Satan is enjoying the view and it makes me even sadder.
You’re welcome. I agree…fighting in the family of God is not ok at all. We need to truly love one another and stop dividing over these things.
I agree. We need to be united as Christians against the right enemy. Satan is at work right now tearing apart kingdom advancement. He really couldn’t care less about republicans or Democrats, Masks or not masks, Churches open churches closed. He wants us divided and off topic and then he “wins”. The good news is no matter how far he may advance, God wins the war. And I just keep going back to that.
Well said, sis! This is exactly the point…us divided and off topic! Amen!
A friend sent me a text this morning with the Philippians 2:3 verse and the cute flowered mask. Had I not read this blog post yesterday, I would have seen this image of the flowered mask and thought it was cute, would have agreed with the verse, that I’m obviously more humbler than those who don’t wear masks, and gone on my way. The seeds of division would have been planted in my heart. When Jesus was in the wilderness for 40 days, wasn’t Satan tempting Him with Scripture? Satan knows how to use Scripture to divide the church and divide believers. Satan is pitting us against each other and using Scripture to do it and it is mind manipulation at its best. I’m so thankful for this post Jennifer for opening my eyes to yet another thing we have to be aware of, another trap that we shouldn’t fall into. It’s not even about the mask anymore. I choose to wear a mask, social distance, and avoid gatherings. That is my choice and if I have to continue to see people roll their eyes at me, look down on me, tell me I’m controlled by the government, that I agree with everyone’s rights being taken away, listen to people call me a sheep, then so be it. But we shouldn’t be using Scripture to shame each other. Thank you Jennifer for bringing this to the light.
Amen! And great point about Satan’s use (or misuse) and manipulation of Scripture. Just because you slap a verse on something doesn’t make it sanctified. We have to keep thinking and being aware of the ways we each can manipulate Scripture to our will and always pray “not my will by Thine.”
HAH!!! I soooooooooo get this! Really I do. I even quoted you before I read it! “Just dont be a Jerk!!” 😉 Great Minds baby. Great minds!!!! Also, God’s Word cleanses on so many levels. I pray we all choose to dwell in THAT and Abide in HIM! It makes all this non-sense overload of info quiet down and helps us see Him and how He moves and is in us.
Ha-ha-ha-ha!!! You crack me up!! I laughed aloud when I read your comment on Insta! I knew you’d see my comment later and laugh too!!! Bwah-ha-ha-ha!!! GMTA!!! Great minds think alike, girlfriend!!
Thank you for this blog. There’s definitely a divide and I’ve played right into it. I prefer not to wear a mask because I don’t believe their effective in keeping me from catching or spreading the virus. I prefer looking at peoples’ faces, seeing their expressions, etc. This whole social distancing has already separated us and I feel like the fear of this virus is just going to make us all afraid of each other. How do we even go on from here and develop new friendships or new relationships? We can’t even see each other. I don’t judge those who chose to wear one. I respect their choice. I just expect the same treatment for my own choice and despise being vilified for it.
But I will take your advice and focus on Christ, his word and the victory of the cross. We can fight the real enemy. And when I fall, because this gets me heated so easily, I will pick up and start again. Thank you for your wisdom.
I understand and feel much of the same, Vivian. Thank you for sharing your thoughts! We have to be there for one another in Christ to encourage and support and keep pointing each other to Jesus.
Hello Jennifer. Nowadays this is odd to say, but I have never before commented within a blog! Today at this moment I am taking a step to be brave for Christ. What I have read here has been very helpful to me. Thank you everyone. Please let me add one comment drawn from within my love and trust of God’s Word … let us not hesitate to correctly use 2 Timothy 1:7 in our witness, “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (ESV) That verse is seeing me through these hardest of times, uncertain times, heartbreaking times when Satan is really busy in ever-expanding efforts to place strongholds against my peace. I have shared this verse in that context with several people I love so much, and I am praying they would believe it too. That love and power from the Holy Spirit within me calls me to verse 8, “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord.” Let us cringe if these verses are used wrongly, but let us rejoice to see them shared as a life-giving gift. Thank you, and may blessings both seen and unseen be yours today!