Lauren Sparks

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Moving from Cancel Culture to Counsel Culture

May 14, 2021 by Lauren 28 Comments

Much has been said of late about the “Cancel Culture” we find ourselves neck deep in.  Social media often spearheads this bullying.  In essence, someone makes a mistake or holds to a different belief than you, so they are dead to you.  And while “canceling” is scary and mean-spirited on the world wide web, it is alive and well IRL too.  And that makes me incredibly sad.

 

I believe the origin of cancel culture stems from the desire to protect our own image.  If someone (friend, family member or celebrity we don’t even know) says something or acts in a way counter to what we believe, we create as much distance from them as we can.  Often very loudly, lest someone mistakenly think we adhere to the same ideology.

 

The problem?  As believers we put the “protection of our witness” above the Lord’s command to love. (My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. John 15:12 NIV)  And speaking of our witness, John 17:23 says coming together in “complete unity” is how others will know about Jesus and His love for them.  Does “complete unity” mean we agree on everything?  Of course not.  That will never happen.  But it does mean that we show love and respect to each other in the midst of our differences.

 

As believers we cannot participate in this toxic canceling practice.  When we cut someone off and out over a mistake made or a wrong choice, we negate the work of Jesus on the cross.  He came to redeem.  Cancel culture says, “You are bad.  You will never change.  You are not worthy.”  If any of that is true, what did Jesus die for?”

 

Counsel culture says,  all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 NIV  but that Out of his [God’s] fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. John 1:16 NIV  Grace in place of grace!  Do you know what that means?  When we trust Jesus to save us from our sins, grace covers over all we’ve done in opposition to God.  And from that point on, every time we sin, more grace just rains down on us.  A continual waterfall of forgiveness that never stops pouring.

 

This is such fantastic news for all of us.  Because we all have dark and wretched parts.  Therefore we all have the potential to commit a “cancelable” offense.  So what’s a Christian to do?  We follow the example of Jesus.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 NIV  In other words love, love and love some more.  In doing so you will point others to Jesus.  And that’s the main thing.

 

And now for this week’s featured post from the link up:

 

Debbie W. Wilson was singing my tune next week with praying scripture over others.  In this case specifically for children in Mothers of Prodigals:  Draw hope from Samson.  And I did!  What an encouragement coming off of Mother’s Day week.  Thanks, Debbie.

 

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Filed Under: Christian, forgiveness, grace, Grace & Truth Link Up, humility, Jesus, love Tagged With: cancel culture, counsel

Comments

  1. Joanne Viola says

    May 14, 2021 at 7:08 am

    Lauren, I so appreciated reading your words this morning. Praying my life reflects Him and points others to Jesus – who has never given up on me.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      May 14, 2021 at 8:33 am

      We are so blessed (there’s not a strong enough word) when we choose to accept His forgiveness.

      Reply
  2. Amy Jung says

    May 14, 2021 at 9:29 am

    I’ve been thinking about this so much lately! It’s becoming easier and easier to be a light in the world just by loving and forgiving those who mess up or hold a different view on something. As those who have been forgiven much, we must forgive. Glad you posted this today!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      May 16, 2021 at 3:19 pm

      Such a good word, Amy. We must follow His example of forgiveness – among many other things!

      Reply
  3. Valerie Riese says

    May 14, 2021 at 9:49 am

    This is so beautiful, Lauren! Thank you for tackling something as ugly as cancel culture with with Truth and in love.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      May 16, 2021 at 3:19 pm

      That means so much to me, Valerie. Thank you.

      Reply
  4. Debbie Wilson says

    May 14, 2021 at 6:24 pm

    Lauren, such a timely post. And thank you for sharing my post from last week! Thankful for God’s provision and way—forgiveness. Blessings to you.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      May 16, 2021 at 3:18 pm

      It was such a privilege to read and share your words, Debbie.

      Reply
  5. Laurie says

    May 14, 2021 at 6:53 pm

    I love (and agree with) your thoughts on the root of cancel culture – the desire to protect our own image. God’s first command is to love one another.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      May 16, 2021 at 3:17 pm

      Yes, yes and yes!

      Reply
  6. Lisa Blair says

    May 14, 2021 at 8:33 pm

    This is a good word, Lauren. I appreciate this truth, “When we cut someone off and out over a mistake made or a wrong choice, we negate the work of Jesus on the cross. He came to redeem.”

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      May 16, 2021 at 3:17 pm

      Thank you, Lisa!

      Reply
  7. Lynn says

    May 15, 2021 at 8:37 am

    I hadn’t heard the term ‘cancel culture’ before but it is true! We divide instead of come together in a cancel culture. Yes, grace is the way to a culture that loves and survives, rather then divides and dies.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      May 16, 2021 at 3:17 pm

      Thank for weighing in, Lynn.

      Reply
  8. Theresa Boedeker says

    May 17, 2021 at 1:46 pm

    Lauren, counsel culture and cancel culture are so different. Jesus was not afraid of being associated with sinners or keeping himself set apart. No, those wee the religious leaders who were involved in the cancel culture of the day. I like how you show how cancel culture says: ” “You are bad. You will never change. You are not worthy.” ” This is totally opposite of what Jesus says to us.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      May 17, 2021 at 2:13 pm

      Such a good point about who Jesus spent time with, Theresa! I wish I would have thought to include it. So glad you added it here and I hope others will read it.

      Reply
  9. Barb Hegreberg says

    May 17, 2021 at 1:59 pm

    Counsel vs cancel — counsel should win EVERY time!!!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      May 17, 2021 at 2:12 pm

      Yesss!

      Reply
  10. Lisa notes says

    May 19, 2021 at 11:02 am

    I love your distinction between a counsel culture and the cancel culture. I’ve been in conversations lately with someone who wants to cancel a family member who believes differently than they do. But I know Jesus never cancels any of us. Yes, grace!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      May 19, 2021 at 5:38 pm

      I have the same situation going on in my family. It’s so disheartening. Grace upon grace!

      Reply
  11. Paula Short says

    May 20, 2021 at 5:19 am

    Lauren, thank you for sharing this great post. I appreciate your words here. Blessings.
    ~Selah~

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      May 20, 2021 at 11:15 am

      Blessings to you, Paula.

      Reply
  12. April Harris says

    May 21, 2021 at 12:35 pm

    Lauren, I’m so glad you shared this post with Hearth and Soul. Cancel culture really can be distressing and the advice you share is incredibly wise. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      May 22, 2021 at 10:43 am

      Thanks so much, April. I love participating in your link up!

      Reply
  13. Rena says

    May 21, 2021 at 6:43 pm

    Lauren,

    Sound advice. But there are circumstances when a person’s misdeeds must be addressed and sometimes that message comes through best in silence.

    Rena

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      May 22, 2021 at 10:40 am

      I agree that not all things can be glossed over. But better to deal with them one on one than in the public forum.

      Reply
  14. Shelbee on the Edge says

    May 25, 2021 at 7:48 am

    Lauren, I love this post! This cancel culture has been one of my biggest frustrations in life right now! As you know, I do not follow a traditional path in life and often find myself completely “canceled” in many circles. Yet I continue to live from a place of love and acceptance for all people. Honestly, the more different from me, the better. How else will I learn new things, new ways, new perspectives? I do not want to be surrounded by a bunch of Shelbee-look-alikes or Shelbee-act-alikes. That offers me nothing more than what I already have on my own. And Christian or not, this really is the best way to approach life…from a place of love and acceptance and kindness and willingness to be exposed to new and different things in an effort to enrich our own lives as well as the lives of everyone around us. Thanks for sharing this and linking with me.

    Shelbee
    http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      May 25, 2021 at 9:41 am

      What a good point! It would be such a boring world with a bunch of “mes”.

      Reply

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I love Jesus, my husband and caffeine. The order of these can change depending on how tired I am. When my two daughters, stepson, and 4 grandchildren get to be too much, I practice yoga. God graciously allows me to share our adventures, victories and flub-ups from my laptop. May He be glorified here.
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