Cancel culture. Though the term is tossed around quite a bit, people disagree about what it is. Those targeted by it say they are being censored or silenced. Those doing the cancelling claim they are merely holding others accountable.
Those on the wrong side of truth are threatened by that truth. They cannot offer legitimate arguments against it, so their tactic is to silence it, or to generate misinformation and propaganda. Rather than allow honest debate, they simply try to cancel any message with which they disagree.
Cancel culture is not new. It originated with Satan in the Garden. God spoke the universe into existence. By His authority, He established the rules. The world operated harmoniously under His direction, until Satan influenced the first couple to doubt God and His authority. Satan wanted to be in charge. He did not want Adam and Eve to follow God’s ways, but to worship him instead. Satan created doubt and confusion by opposing the truth. Did God really say? You will not surely die. Cancel culture.
When Adam and Eve listened to Satan’s lies and joined in his rebellion against God’s authority, all mankind was affected. There has been a conflict between the true and the false ever since. Everyone is guilty of their own participation in rebellion against God and His right to establish what is true.
Jesus said Satan was a liar and a murderer from the beginning–a thief who comes to kill and destroy. Jesus is the truth. I am the way, the truth and the life. Satan tried to silence Jesus by crucifying Him. But He rose again. Truth cannot be silenced.
After Jesus’ death and resurrection, the disciples spread the Good News that He died for the sins of the world, and rose again. Everyone who repented of their sin of rebellion and turned to Jesus would be forgiven. Believers would experience new life now and live forever in His Kingdom. The powers of that time didn’t like the message and tried to cancel it. The disciples infuriated their attackers by standing firmly on the truth. Despite imprisonment, beatings, and other interference, they refused to be silent. Peter said, “We must obey God rather than any human authority. . .” (Acts 5:29)
“When they heard this, the high council was furious and decided to kill them. But one member, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, . . . stood up and . . . said to his colleagues, “ . . . my advice is, leave these men alone. Let them go. If they are planning and doing these things merely on their own, it will soon be overthrown. But if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them. . . .” Acts 5:33-39
The founders of America understood the power of truth. They brilliantly put a guarantee of the right to free speech into the U. S. Constitution. They knew that in the free exchange of ideas and information, the truth would eventually surface. Those who try to shut down free speech do not want people exposed to the truth. It is not surprising that the founding documents are currently under attack.
Those who try to hide the truth never understand that truth proves itself. It is futile to try to silence it. It will always rise again. What is false will eventually be exposed. What is true is eternal.
Those who stand against truth are standing against God. They will not win.
Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31
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Blessings,
Phyllis
Image by Gordon Johnson from Pixabay
Copyright 2023 Phyllis l. Farringer