Spiritually Correct
Dan Kunz
“For nonconformity the world whips you with its displeasure.” These words of Ralph Waldo Emerson were written in the 1840’s, in his master work, Self-Reliance. Emerson felt the integrity of the individual was more important than society’s norms. He didn’t like society telling him what to think, how to feel, or what to do. He didn’t necessarily think the majority was always right or had the right to dictate what was acceptable.
Those who chafe under today’s idea of “political correctness”, can relate to what Emerson was saying. “Being politically correct, or PC, means being particularly aware of who might be offended or how they may be offended by something that is said or done, especially if they are part of a group already disadvantaged”, according to Wikipedia. For example, I shouldn’t say my wife is “short”. I should say she is “vertically challenged”. (Sorry, honey, only kidding!) The results of political correctness may seem outlandish or just plain silly. One Seattle school did away with Easter eggs and, instead, called them “spring spheres” because not everyone celebrates Easter. A recruiter in the United Kingdom was surprised when her advertisement for “reliable” and “hard working” people was rejected by a job center because it could be offensive to unreliable and lazy people! Although we might laugh or joke about such things, some people are absolutely serious about the topic.
Of course, as Christians, we should be aware of the feelings of others and, out of love, try our best not to offend or hurt people, but we need to be even more aware of what God thinks about things. For example, using terms for ethnicity, mental acuity, or physical limitations which are hurtful, demeaning, or unloving, doesn’t reflect John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” We also need to be sure we are bold to speak out when the world around us accepts, indulges, or even promotes ungodly behavior.
Ephesians 4:15 “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.” Take note of both parts, “speaking the truth” and “in love”. We cannot understate or be silenced about what God says in his Word, but we need to do so in a kind and loving way, in order to win or influence more for the body of Christ.
Make no mistake, the PC world in which we live may not like what we have to say. It may “whip us with its displeasure”. Matthew 10:22 “…and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” Pointing out sexual immorality, hatred, and greed, even in a loving way, will not win you any popularity contests, but it may, just may, win another soul for Christ. After all, it’s much more important to be spiritually correct than politically correct!