1. In terms of Heavenly kindness, what are some communication tactics to ensure that "correction" we provide isn't dismissed because of having a "log in our own eye"?
Correction of another Christian is one of the most misunderstood and difficult areas of kindness. These tough conversations with other brothers or sisters are hard because they are oftentimes not well received. But it would be a false idea to think we can’t address or correct someone just because we ourselves have struggled in the same area or that it might not be well received.
However, Matthew 7:3-5 does make it clear that we need to address any habitual or ongoing struggle before addressing the same with a brother or sister. No matter how well we communicate, it will be tough for whoever we are trying to correct if we have not repented (turned away in mindset and action from a sin habit) and made practical steps towards Christ in the very area we are trying to correct. This scripture does not tell us not to correct each other but to evaluate and remove/repent before doing so. It’s a commandment that we still correct one another!
How we communicate is the most important area we can get wrong or right. We can love to tell someone the truth or tell the truth in love! Colossians 4:16 says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
This scripture gives us great insight into communication. First, we should always utilize the Word to correct and not our opinion of someone's life choices. That will help us discern if there is any correction to be done in the first place! Secondly, wisdom needs to be had in our response. Kindness is not absence of the truth but sharing it in a way that can be received and utilized for the benefit of the hearer. Wisdom is not present when we have our own selfish agenda in changing others. Wisdom in our communication comes when we are seeking the benefit and elevation of others above ourselves.
Have you had someone communicate something you needed to change and you still were thankful they did it? If so, that is most likely because they did it in a way where you could clearly see that they were doing it with care and the intention to make you better. Commit yourself to kindness that presents others complete in Christ (Colossians 1:28)!
2. Do you feel there is a Spirit of Counterfeit Masculinity in the Church and what does that look like and how does it manifest?
Yes. Now I don’t know if I would use the specific wording “spirit of counterfeit masculinity” as I never want to give too much credit to the enemy with the wording “spirit” when oftentimes we as men have simply allowed our leadership and true Christ-like masculinity to be absent from the church.
Since the fall in Genesis a lot of men have been playing the blame game as to why things are not going well at home or collectively within the church. Look at Genesis 3:12 for example, “The woman whom You gave to be with me”. Adam blamed Eve when confronted by God. That didn’t work out well then either!
One of the key ways that I see counterfeit masculinity present itself is that we act like men on the surface level of what we like to do (i.e. sports, hunting, trucks) and sayings like “I’m the man of this house” without a true heart posture of what it really means to be a man of God.
“The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7
One of the key areas of being masculine is no doubt, being a leader. While that sounds great, being a leader actually means sacrifice of self. David was considered a man after God’s heart. In Acts 13:22 it's made clear that what that really means is to do God’s will and sacrifice any desire for what we want.
Often as men we fall prey to counterfeit masculinity when we want to claim leadership or masculinity but don’t want to sacrifice our comfort for the benefit and growth of others (or avoiding leadership responsibility altogether). Instead we blame our situation or the people/spouse we have as the source. What ends up happening in marriages ends in divorce/dysfunction, children end up repeating our mistakes, and the church is weak. We want the leadership title without the responsibility.
As men we have to stop playing the blame game and recognize that our households are a reflection of ourselves as leaders.
If we see dysfunction or are experiencing hardship in our home we must guide it back into alignment with the Word of God with gentleness and love. Scripture continually implies and directly says we are to be responsible to lead and guide sacrificially (Ephesians 5:25-26). Ultimately if we rely on the Word and the Holy Spirit we can do what God has called us to do, which is lead and love our homes well.
I also see another side of counterfeit masculinity in our current history where there is a direct spiritual attack on the next generation to “demasculate” men. Since the enemy doesn't want to see men be men (strong leaders), the world is pushing men to become pseudo women in nature. We see this largely play out in the current culture on the surface level of men dressing and acting more feminine, and on a deeper spiritual level of encouraging gender fluidity, etc.
The feminist movement has also made it popular for men to take a backseat in decision making in the name of "equality" and pleasing their household instead of setting the proper course. This is another way that the enemy tries to deceive believers to not fulfill their role of true masculinity and biblical leadership.
All this to say, men should still strive to have more empathy and compassion, but not at the sake of what we are called to do as men to lead with strong biblical conviction and not waver.
3. In regards to Counterfeit peace, has the Church taken too much of a backseat on pressing issues for the sake of "keeping the peace"? Should we, collectively, be boycotting and protesting more issues that are not in alignment with the Word?
As believers, scripture has called us to be peacemakers and live peaceably with all (Matthew 5:9, Romans 12:18). But we are also called to be salt. In Mark 9:42-50 it is talking about being salt in the world and that peace with others is connected. Well, what do salt and peace have to do with one another?
True peace only comes from being in close proximity to Christ and His ways. When we think of salt we know it not only preserves but cleanses or purifies. Much of true peace in the world depends on us cutting out what does not belong. This can include sinful actions in my life and even more so for our children as they are the next generation. Why children? Because children are still developing and are under our protection until they have to be accountable one day for their actions.
“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.” Mark 9:42
We are tasked with being peacemakers - but as we see according to scripture - it is done in a counter cultural way. Now it can be a slippery slope when you start boycotting companies/organizations because of every single connection they may have to someone you don’t agree with. You might find that almost every organization or business becomes off limits and borders on encouraging cancel culture.
We also know that we cannot remove ourselves completely from the world, and if we started boycotting in this matter we would quickly find ourselves alone with no one to minister to as believers, which is one of the biggest responsibilities we have been given in this life.
If you can see a direct way an organization, business, or thing causes you to sin then cut it off (Mark 9:43). Similarly this passage in Mark puts even more weight on how the next generation is affected. If we can directly see a company, organization, or thing leading children (next generation) into sin we should collectively and individually look to cut that out.
For example, our public education system has a track record of directly teaching our children sinful ideologies and beliefs (BLM, multiple genders, God is not the foundation, etc). If we see this happening in the local public school system we should as parents and a church community remove our children from this environment. It is not the children's burden to raise themselves in the way they should go but us as parents and believers (Proverbs 22:6). Just remember, there is always grace if we don’t know what we don’t know.
So yes, there are areas we need to individually and collectively as a church, start taking a stance on. Peace does not mean staying neutral or turning a blind eye to that which spiritually harms ourselves or our children.