IFA Board Member Larry Tomczak has devoted the last 50 years to evangelism and honesty about the cultural decline. He has been a culture warrior with a deep understanding that our society has barreled down a way that seems right to some, but it leads to eternal death (Proverbs 14:12). Here are his reflections on the state of the nation.

In the aftermath of the assassination attempt on President Trump, we need to take stock of our toxic environment in America where podcasters, politicians and pundits’ traffic in hate corroding our culture. We know it’s a sin to be angry about things God’s not angry about, but do we realize that it’s also a sin not to be angry about things He is angry about?

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Last week the world watched a demonically inspired 20-year-old discharge his weapon with murderous intent on a U.S. President, kill a devoted husband and father at the scene, recognize an inexcusable lapse of security on the grounds, plus continue having to put up with those  incessantly  bombarding us with rage-filled rhetoric and imagery of violence…it’s time to do as the Bible directs: “Be angry yet do not sin” (Eph. 4:26).

Pastors can no longer play it safe trying to avoid addressing cultural issues but instead must warn their flocks of what’s impacting them and their families as the “watchmen on the wall”  and “salt” Jesus told us we were to be.  Salt prevents societal decay.

“If the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, so that the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any one of them, that person is taken away in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand” (Ezek. 33:6).

Exposing Evil

Hate mongers drum up vitriol on both right and left sides of the political spectrum. Pundits and influencers branded former President Trump as “Hitler… Nazi… racist…Fascist dictator…the enemy of democracy… MAGA extremist”… So should we be surprised when someone fueled by incendiary statements steps up to “take him out?” After all, Biden recently told donors on a phone call “We’re done talking about this debate. It’s time to put Trump in a bullseye!”[Note: Later he admitted it was a “mistake“ but the damage was done].

We can no longer look the other way or plead ignorance. Lives are literally at stake! The grieving sister of the husband and father shot as a bystander in the Butler, PA event said, “This hatred for one man took the life of the one man we loved the most.” The hatred is irrational, and the rhetoric is dangerous.

Speaking Specifically

Consider the irresponsible cover of the once respectable New Republic magazine portraying Donald Trump as Hitler with the headline “American Fascism. What it Would Look Like?” How about  Joe Scarborough  pontificating on his “Morning Joe“ show that “Trump kept Hitler’s speeches next to his bed…you hear it in his words and see it in his rallies-Fascist Hitler-like rhetoric!”

One of the panelists on “The View” (started by Barbara Walters as a fun and stimulating time for “lady chat”) twice labeled former President Trump as the  “Antichrist!” How about Stephen Colbert – CBS? Joy Reid – MS NBC; Joy Behar – ABC; Jim Acosta – CNN? And how about political race baiters with animosity on steroids like Lynne Cheney, Maxine Waters and Adam Schiff? The ongoing drumbeats of invective and insidious personal attacks must stop, and we need righteous anger motivating masses to speak up.

Time to Turn

Conservative, patriotic zealots on the “right” are not exempt from hateful speech. They likewise must turn and curb the vitriol [ I’m not referring here to comical parodies done by the likes of Babylon Bee-Christian counterpart to Saturday Night Live].

Mr. Trump is known for being bombastic and a “street fighter” but since his brush with death scores are praying not only for his safety but more of a statesmanship. Perhaps we saw some of that in his speech at the RNC.

Franklin Graham spoke at the Republican National Convention and has made a personal appeal to Mr. Trump to remove the inappropriate cuss words in his rallies. Maybe he’ll also soften some of his trademark  sarcastic “nicknames“ plus steer clear of spontaneous mockery that squirts out of teleprompter speeches (I cringed when he poked fun at Pelosi‘s 82-year-old husband hammer- attacked at his home). All of this is corrosive to our culture and should be stopped.

“Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outburst, and blasphemies with all malice, be taken away from you“ (Eph. 4:31). Proverbs 6:16–19 identifies six areas God hates because they bring enormous harm to individuals, marriages, families, relationships, reputations, careers and society itself. In this list is “pride, lying, hands shedding innocent blood (one example is abortion), and sowing discord.”

Here’s the Deal

In a similar seriously divided time in our history, another president, Abraham Lincoln, set an example for us to follow when he said, “With malice toward none” meaning there should be no intention to harm others, “and with charity for all” meaning we should demonstrate God‘s love to all, including enemies and opponents. The brilliant, black statesman and Christian leader, George Washington Carver,  left his legacy by challenging us with these words, “I will never let another man ruin my life by making me hate him.”

It’s time for all of us to draw upon the grace of God and do our part. With the 2024 presidential election drawing near, let’s lower the toxic temperature in our nation and elevate civility as we engage in respectful and robust discussions with those whom we differ.  In our quest to restore America to the vision and values of our Founders our time is rapidly running out.

Are you ready to call on the grace of God to do in you what’s needed so that you can do what He calls you to do in your nation?

Larry Tomczak has been an evangelist and cultural commentator for decades. He is also an IFA board member, a bestselling author, and a public-policy adviser with Liberty Counsel. His innovative video/book, BULLSEYE, develops informed influencers in 30 days (see www.bullseyechallenge.com). Hear his weekly podcast here.