How Christians Should Respond to Cultural Divisiveness

There is no denying that the present-day culture in which we live is filled with divisiveness. Whether it be politics, religion, or anything else that someone might take seriously, people are often ready to pounce on one another when they feel that they are being challenged over what they believe in. There could be many reasons why people hold onto their beliefs so dearly that their first instinct is to show hostility to those with a different point of view, but it is ultimately a negative mindset that followers of Christ should strive to avoid succumbing to. Negative emotions are certainly not something that the Lord expects us to do away with entirely, but we must surrender them to Him if we are to make any progress in the modern battlefield of communication. This article will serve as a guide on how Christians can navigate cultural divisiveness with a scripture-based approach and care for their own emotions through their experiences.

Recognizing sources of divisiveness

If one is to properly engage with a divisive culture and those whose voices contribute to it, they must first have a strong grasp on the topics that perpetuate divisiveness and the unique perspectives on each matter. As Christians, we are called to be aware of and act against ungodliness regardless of how it directly impacts us. Similarly, we must be mindful of divisive issues that people are sensitive to, even if they are not personally relevant to us. In order to make sure that you are caught up on potentially relevant or divisive topics, check news outlets and other reliable sources for information, even if they come from different perspectives. Additionally, study these topics from a Christ-like perspective so that you are already familiar with how the Lord would want you to view and navigate these issues.

Communicating with those who share different perspectives

One of the key aspects of cultural divisiveness that is difficult to navigate is disagreeing with those who are passionate about what they believe. This can be particularly challenging, especially if they are quick to treat those who disagree with hostility, and you happen to fall into that party. Even if the issue is something that Christians are called to take seriously, and you happen to disagree with them on it, make sure that you are not attempting to match their anger with more anger disguised as righteousness. Matthew 5:9 states that, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” This is exactly the type of mentality that we should have when communicating with those who hold different beliefs. Similar to our article about connecting with non-believers, it is also important that in your communication, you do not make the person that you disagree with feel like a project to be fixed. They have likely formed their opinions based on the experiences that they were surrounded by, so you must first understand their personal perspective on why they believe what they do before creating a response as to why you think otherwise. If you happen to struggle with finding the right time to mention your faith in conversations, it might help to wear something that represents your faith in the appropriate scenarios to convey that ahead of time. Thankfully, we at Thank God offer a variety of Christian streetwear options that can greatly assist with this.

Standing firm in our beliefs as Christians

While we should strongly attempt to communicate with those with whom we disagree in a productive manner, we must not allow ourselves to be swayed on any issue for which our Christian faith already has an established answer. This is where we will likely take the brunt of any hostile communication, as those who disagree may view our perspective as invalid because of our beliefs. Regardless, we should not back down, as this is where we are presented with an opportunity to share God’s truth and love with those unfamiliar with it. As mentioned in our article on ways to apply the armor of God, these are perfect instances to fasten the belt of truth and let the Word of God speak through you. Even though you will communicate with the intention of explaining what you believe and why, make sure that whoever you are speaking to is feeling the love of Christ and will walk away from this encounter with a changed perspective on those they disagree with and maybe even an openness to what was being shared with them.

Dealing with negative emotions that come from divisiveness

It can be difficult not to feel mentally and emotionally burdened by everything that you process while navigating cultural divisiveness. Being exposed to so many concepts that work against what God has intended for us, with so many people in favor of them, can take a serious toll that leaves you feeling somewhat afraid of how much there is to be aware of and stand up against. If you do not take these burdensome emotions to God and let Him fill you with His peace, then your heart and mind will continue to linger purely on how much of the world is against you and how endless the battle seems. A mindset such as that would benefit from revisiting John 16:33, which states, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world,” as well as 1 John 5:4, which tells us, “for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” These verses are but a few that remind us how God has already won the battle as a whole, and because of that, we needn’t fear the persecution and seemingly overwhelming odds of the world. By focusing on these truths more consistently, we will be able to properly deal with the negative emotions that come our way while we fight the good fight.

Proceeding with responding

It is tempting to look at the state of the world and feel a desire to avoid muddying our hands with its hostility. As comforting as that path sounds, it is not the one that we are called to walk as Christians. Isaiah 1:17 states, “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” The Lord makes it very clear that as His followers, we should be compelled to shine His light into any darkness that clouds and consumes people. Even if we feel called to use our spiritual gifts in areas other than direct preaching, we are to still walk in a way that He find pleasing and impacts others with His love.