There’s a lot of disagreement between Christians right now. But rather than loving and healthy disagreement, I’m afraid that some of the behavior we are seeing is similar to what we call cancel culture. 

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Canceling, which is becoming a cultural norm, is the attempt to silence an individual. This is how Webster’s dictionary defines it: “To cancel someone (usually a celebrity or other well known figure) means to stop giving support to that person. The act of canceling could entail boycotting an actor’s movies or no longer reading or promoting a writer’s works.”

Unfortunately I’ve seen many Christians behaving this way towards other Christians. Those who are praying for this current administration are called traitors, compromisers, sellouts. Those who felt led to apologize for a prophetic word concerning Trump that didn’t happen as they said are unfollowed, unsubscribed. Those who are focusing on the kingdom of God and moving and forward…canceled.

There are many believers who use Bible verses on division and separation to justify their actions. But where does the Bible say division is acceptable? 

Brothers and sisters, I urge you to watch out for those people who create divisions and who make others fall away [from the Christian faith] by teaching doctrine that is not the same as you have learned. Stay away from them. (Titus 3:10)

It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife. And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you. (1 Cor 5:1)

The Bible only called for separation among believers for two main reasons. The first was a Christian who continues to cause strife and division among the body of Christ. Division makes people confused and fall away from the faith. The second reason is engaging in continual, unrepentant sin. It does not say, if we don’t agree on election results.

These are the two biblical reasons for separation among Christians. It does not say if we are from different political parties. It does not say if we don’t agree on prophetic words, then it’s okay to cancel someone. 

I fear many Christians are still so focused on the outcome of the election we are missing an opportunity to be the Church. I believe strongly in praying for our leaders and nation. Just because we pray for our new administration in no way means we support any evil agenda they stand for. This has been stated repeatedly. We have a choice to argue about the election every chance we get or we can take this opportunity to pray for those in office and the great needs before us. We pray for them to get saved because Jesus Christ is the only one who can change their hearts and I pray that He does. If not, God is still sovereign and He will work through this making all things work together for good, even bad things.(Rom. 8:28)

I will continue to pray because I believe that God’s plan for America isn’t contingent upon who is seated in the White House. This is not the first time we as a nation have been under ungodly leadership. Ungodly leaders go all the way back to biblical times. The entire book of Kings talks about godly and evil rulers of the nation. Pharaoh and Nebuchadnezzar would be the most popular today, but God had a plan that even they couldn’t stop. My desire in writing this is about putting our focus back where it belongs. We must be careful not to let offense and bitterness come in and hinder us. Brothers and sisters, we have a lot of work to do.

How should we treat Christians, our brothers and sisters in Christ, who think differently than us? Paul addresses two churches that were divided on issues –  the Roman Church and the Corinthian Church.

In Romans 14, there was much disagreement going on among the Roman Church. It was getting so out of control, that Apostle Paul had to step in to address it. There were arguments between those who adhered to Jewish dietary laws and those who did not. One side claimed the law, one side claimed freedom from the law, and both sides were followers of Christ. Those who followed Jewish law called the other Christians who did not follow it weak in faith. They saw themselves as superior to the other Christians for keeping the law. I suppose if Paul walked into America’s Church today it might sound like this.

“Why are you calling Biden president, you are compromising and weak in faith.”

“Why aren’t you speaking about election fraud, you must be leaning left now.”

“You are apologizing for your prophetic word, you need to repent!”

None of us live for ourselves alone, and none of us die for ourselves alone. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. It is written:

“ ‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’ ”

So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. (Rom. 14:7-13)

This does not say not to judge according to sin. This talks about passing judgement on your brother or sister in Christ with whom you do not agree. Like the verse says, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. If they call Biden president or have a different political party, but believe that Jesus Christ died for their sins and received Him, they are God’s children and your family in Christ. 

It doesn’t say you have to agree with them. It does say make sure that you are not being a stumbling block to them or others.

Here’s what Paul said to the Corinthian Church:

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? (1 Cor 12:12-17)

Another church, another argument, this time about the gifts of the Holy Spirit. But notice, how Paul addresses the differences in opinion. He illustrates the Church as one body having many different parts. A hand cannot function unless it’s connected to the body. A foot cannot go where it wants unless it’s connected to the body. Paul focuses rather on oneness in Christ. That is where our focus should be right now. We shouldn’t be so quick to cancel Christians just because they differ in opinion from us. If we do, how are we so different from the lost who live by cancel culture? 

Once when my kids were teenagers, I heard them arguing and yelling. I came out from my room to see what was going on. When I asked what the problem was, it was so small, I actually thought “what a ridiculous thing to argue about.” They were at each other’s throats, but we were able to resolve it. When I walked away, I felt a little annoyed but thankful it ended peacefully. I had a revelation. I thought, I wonder what the Lord feels when He sees His children acting like that. I wonder what He feels to see the bickering, arguing, heated emotions over something so miniscule. 

What do you think the Lord thinks about Christian cancel culture? I’m not talking about removing from people for sound biblical reasons like continual sin, false doctrine, or creating strife and division. I’m talking about canceling family members, neighbors, brothers and sisters in the Lord over a different political party, different thoughts on prophetic words, or different denominations. It’s something to think about. I certainly have. 

We must put our focus back on the Lord where it belongs. We may have differing opinions, but we have the same finish line. We are running the same race. We have the same goal. To win the lost, to see a nation turned back to God, to pray for leaders who will honor biblical values. In the end, we all want to hear those words from our Lord, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” 

Let’s put our eyes back where they belong.

As holy people whom God has chosen and loved, be sympathetic, kind, humble, gentle, and patient. Put up with each other, and forgive each other if anyone has a complaint. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Above all, be loving. This ties everything together perfectly. Also, let Christ’s peace control you. God has called you into this peace by bringing you into one body. (Col 3:12-15 GWT)

Father, as we are facing uncertain and trying times, would You bind us together in love? Unite our hearts to fear Your name. Forgive us for misrepresenting You and allowing politics to divide us. Forgive us for dishonoring those who don’t see things as we do. Make us one as You are. Unify your church. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

What are your thoughts on Christian cancel culture? How can we bring the body of Christ together?

Author Gloria Robles is a passionate intercessor with a prophetic voice for today. For more from Gloria, go to Spotify or Anchor to listen to her podcast Something To Share.