For many years, my social media presence consisted mostly of political rants and raves. However, somewhere around the end of the 2014 mid-term election cycle, I woke up and became aware of the conflict between myself and the Holy Spirit. My Pastor had preached a sermon on words and that as followers of Christ we should watch our tongue. The world is watching Christians, the religious right, and will always be looking for ways to cause strife within believers. This is another reason why I no longer prescribe to the notion of being a Christian. Instead, I am a follower of Christ and His teachings. So where does “Let’s Go Brandon” come into play? Hang with me please as I try to explain.
About a week ago I wrote What Does it Mean to be a Follower of Christ. In that musing, I proposed that Christians did not invent Cancel Culture – they perfected it. Continuing on that theme today, I wanted to share more thoughts on what it means to me to be a follower of Christ. And also share a warning to fellow believers about falling into a trap laid by the Devil.
More Political Nonsense
Let’s take a look at Paul’s epistle to the Church at Ephesus.
Since you put away lying, Speak the truth, each one to his neighbor, because we are members of one another. Be angry and do not sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger, and don’t give the Devil an opportunity. The thief must no longer steal. Instead, he must do honest work with his own hands, so that he has something to share with anyone in need. No foul language is to come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear. And don’t grieve God’s Holy Spirit. You were sealed by Him for the day of redemption. All bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander must be removed from you, along with all malice. And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ. - Ephesians 4:25-32
I love reading Paul’s letters – he gets straight to the point and tells it like it is. Black Coffee. In this passage from Ephesians, Paul is speaking directly to new believers, specifically to the Gentiles (non-Jewish) Christians. He reminds them of their past before their Faith in Christ and that they should put away their old ways. He relates bitterness and anger we may hold towards someone as a way for Satan to cause strife.
But I want to focus our attention on verse 29:
No foul language is to come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear.
Ephesians 4:29
Before my rededication to be a follower of Christ in 2007, I was not a very good person. Sure I had friends and was nice to people but deep down inside I was broken and did not realize it. My language was full of, shall I say, colorful metaphors, as coined by Spock in Star Trek 4: The Voyage Home. Caution – Link contains ‘colorful metaphors’
“Let’s Go Brandon”
My point is this. About two weeks ago, I almost fell into another political trap laid ever so gently by the Devil. You may have heard lately in social media the chant “Let’s Go Brandon”. The chant can be heard at political rallies and sporting events. As some may know, I love to draw and I use my digital art as a coping mechanism to battle my depression. I also have a side hustle where I sell my digital art, with a large portion of the proceeds donated to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
The image in today’s blog was the design I made for t-shirts, hoodies, and whatnots. After saving the design, I woke up (again). If you have heard the chant then you also likely know the underlying meaning. The chant spawned from another chant which contains a colorful metaphor directed at President Biden. Did I really want people to buy a t-shirt from my Etsy store which proclaimed, “Let’s Go Brandon”? What sort of message would that present about me?
Now, it is no secret that I disagree with President Biden’s policies but that is not my point here. My point is, as a follower of Christ, I am to put away my old ways. In addition to repenting and walking with Christ daily, as Paul wrote, I am not to use foul language. Instead, I should only use words that build up and edify Jesus. Doing otherwise, As Paul wrote, would grieve or make sad the Holy Spirit which lives in me as a believer.
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If you made it this far, please consider commenting below, subscribing, and also sharing on your social media sites. Most importantly, I ask for your prayers. I write this weekly blog as an outlet in my fight against depression. However, my hope is that something I write here may help others who may be struggling. If you would like to help with my battle against depression, check out my online Etsy store and affiliate links. Most proceeds are donated to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
If you or someone you know may be contemplating suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or by dialing 988. You may also text HOME to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line. In emergencies, call 911, or seek care from a local hospital or mental health provider.