Do people "Protest" too much? by John

Do People "Protest" too Much?

Jeremiah asked the Lord, "Why does the way of the wicked prosper?" in 12:1. Other people have asked the same question ever since, and no one has an exact answer except for the Lord. We know He gives people time to seek Him and change. No one who leaves this world and faces Him will be able to say, "You didn't give me a chance!" II Peter 3:9 says, "God is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." He gives people time to repent of their sins. If they don't do it, they cannot accuse God of being unjust.

In Jeremiah 12:3, he made a statement to God that struck home with me, "You are always on their lips but far from their hearts." I've observed to be true among people who claim to be Christians. Some of those who speak God's name too frequently are not really Christians. They use God's name as a magic charm to gain ungodly goals, to gain God's support, or to convince those around them of their faith. I don't mean to say everyone who uses God's name frequently is not simply a devout Christian. I do say it can make me wonder...sometimes!

To some, even questioning another person's faith is judgment, but Jesus told us in Matthew 12:33, "Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit." Viewing what is happening in a person's life is not judging them. It is coming to know them. I John 4:1 says, "Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world."

In verses 2 and 3, he tells us how we are to test spirits: "This how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God." "Protest" in Shakespeare's day usually meant just the opposite of our usage today. It was sort of like saying "Amen! That's the truth!" to every word a preacher says. It calls attention to the person saying it instead of making people believe what the preacher said. In my mind, that person is "protesting" their own faith, and it is probably not as strong as they make it appear.

Every person is different, but today's people all seem to say too much, too fast without giving the listener time to take it all in. I suppose they think some of us old people were born in slow motion. I remember when my wife and I were in New Orleans going to seminary, we made mission trips into the sugar cane plantations. We had services for the Jamaican laborers who came to harvest the cane. They loved to sing, and we led them in singing hymns. It amazed us that we could begin and be half way through a verse only to discover our congregation was still on the first line! It was a comical situation. They and we laughed together about it. Actually, it improved our relationship. We adjusted to their slower rhythm. We were there to communicate Jesus to them, not to change their way of singing. Rapid talk throws up red flags to many of us. We think they are rushing us. We need time to think and make decisions, but there again, people differ from age to age, but it seems to me the speaker needs to accomodate the hearer; otherwise, we may have trouble discerning their true intent.

You may have totally different ideas to mine, and that's okay. Being Christian includes learning to live with those around us without condemning, shunning, or otherwise making life hard for them. It also involves the obligation for others to do the same where we are concerned. God knows the thoughts and intents of every heart, and I firmly believe we should ask Him for discernment so that we can love every person without wondering whether we are right, wrong, or just fooled. Life on earth is short! We need to make the most of it living with our God and preparing for eternity with Him.