I believe that the biggest challenge in the life of a Christian is not in knowing what they are supposed to do, but how they do it. Christians know they are supposed to stand against wrong and uphold what is right. This often places the Christian in an unsettling position opposing many people in the culture around them. While Christians are called to oppose what is against their worldview, many of them choose not to because they will be deemed uncivilized, perhaps racist or intolerant. Many Christians just simply back down and ignore what they believe, while others make deplorable attempts to stand up against those same things. In the society we live in, if we want genuine equality, freedom to practice what we believe, and liberty to express ourselves how we would like to, we must acknowledge that there will be people that oppose how we believe. There will always be people who don’t like us, and we [society as a whole] should respect that.

This is something that I believe that many of the Christian people have failed to recognize. It is the responsibility of the Christian to be respectful, kind, and loving to all people regardless of their beliefs or lack thereof. Likewise, the rest of society must acknowledge that the Christian people have their own convictions and should not be forced to go against what their conscience dictates. We must all be tolerant of each other without compromising our beliefs or asking others to compromise their beliefs. I, as a Christian, find it very disheartening when I am watching the news, surfing Twitter, or happen to overhear how people mistreat each other. The maliciousness from person to person is absurd. I believe the worst part is perhaps the way that many blatant Christians are portrayed through their spiteful and thoughtless words.

Christians take a lot of flak for being “hypocrites.” I have noticed, from working in a non-Christian environment for 8 years, that this is a very common thought. It happens that I work in the town of the largest Christian University in the world, and even I, a fellow Christ follower, have fallen subject to this thinking. Obviously, it does not help the case when an individual wearing school paraphernalia walks in and curses and swears because you are not allowed to help how he wants you to help. This just happens to be one instance in the last few weeks that I have dealt with.

This goes without saying for both sides, we should be respectful, regardless of perspectives, and Christians must take a step further and be respectful even in disagreement. This article isn’t necessarily written for changing anyone, (if it does, so be it,) if not, perhaps next time you are tempted to cuss out that employee across the counter at Home-Depot, send a disrespectful message, or publish a hateful tweet, you might rethink and redevelop what you are about to say.

I think that we should always remember what the philosopher Plato said, “Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something.”(BrainyQuotes, 2018)

So, no matter what your affiliations may be, keep in mind that you should take a minute, even five minutes, to rethink what you might’ve said in the heat of the moment. If you feel that what you have to say is wise and beneficial for other readers, find a respectful and heartfelt way to articulate your perspective. We all have opinions and need to learn how to better express them.