The church is a shelter [James 3]

I was discussing with the pro photographer the politics of work and the risks of it, last night. In particular the risk that the social justice people will decide that we are evil. I’ve seen complaints sent on things that were scientifically valid. And, let’s face it, this blog can be abrasive.

And to clarify, although I post all kinds of stuff, this is one of my hobbies. I have talked in public about my work, and at that point I’m representing more than myself and I’m a lot less abrasive. he current idea is that one should never be confronted, never challenged, never have somebody correct you.

That plain and blunt language is unloving.

It's spring. It;'s wet. Visibility is measured in feet, not meters.
It’s spring. It;’s wet. Visibility is measured in feet, not meters.

As if the world loves us, and we do not have to deal with our nefarious desires: that we are not jealous, and do not covet, and do not boast.

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?

(James 3:13-4:12 ESV)

The harvest of wisdom is good fruit. Regardless of circumstances. Consider the palm tree — Dunedin has some microclimates where these can barely survive (which is one reason that I live where I do). But growing dates or coconuts? Won’t happen. It could snow later this week. In these circumstances fruit do not happen.

The environment is hostile against us. Christians are hated. We face storms.

What I was thinking would be helpful is a post about preventing the attack. What steps does one take to avoid being the target of a SJW hunt?

1. Carefully avoid questioning the Narrative.
2. Anticipate and submit to all SJW demands.
3. Always give the SJW whatever he wants.

Then he will like you, until he finds out you’re a Christian.

IF you let the SJW demands choke you, you cannot be calm, clear, and you cannot give people the mercy of reminding them of what they are doing wrong. Because any such statement will cause offense, which is the new deadly sin, while covetous and jealousy are virtues.

But in Christ, we can be in a glasshouse, It is called the church. Which the world will hate, and try to smash. But in there we can be true, and safe, and plain. We can correct. And we need not boast.

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