Sadly Some Just Love Controversy

Love is the identifier the listening and watching world should know us by. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)

Sadly, another love has infiltrated and started to define some believers: the love of controversy. The love of controversy and gossip seems to be gaining ground, both outside and inside the church.

Maybe you’re not the one speaking the words, but the love of controversy also includes the enjoyment of watching how many verbal bullets it takes before your opponent drops. The love of controversy demeans people down to your prey, not human beings made in the holy image of God.

We don’t need to be delivered from the people around us who are controversial, and hard to love. No, we first need to be delivered from ourselves, our controversial instincts, and the fact that vengeance is often more attractive to us than forgiveness.