Christian Witness in a Divided World: Living the Fruits of the Spirit Amid Conflict

Reflecting Christ in a Divided World

John MacArthur once said, "Have we turned our mission field into our political enemies?" I think for the times we live in this should make us think. How do we show Christ to the world? What do we say or do, if anything, to those we want to turn to Christ? How do we treat them? In a divided world, we are still called to share our Christian witness. In whatever political camp we find ourselves, our desire should be to always be the loving disciple Christ has called us to be.

Building a Foundation on Christ

Christians are told by Jesus Himself to build their foundation on Him, for without it they will fall (Matthew 7:27). In the same chapter, He tells us we will know Christians by their fruits. We quote Galatians 5:22-23 where these fruits are listed quite frequently, but are we really looking deep within to see if we have any of them?

Understanding the Fruit of the Spirit

As a reminder they are: love, joy, peace, patience (or forbearance), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These fruits are for sharing with others, especially with those who don't know Christ. We need the world to see them because they are evidence of our being a child of God.

Living Out Love, Patience, and Gentleness

We love sacrificially just as Christ did. We love when it is difficult to love. Scripture tells us the obvious, it is easy to love those who love us, but what about those who don't?

Patience calls us to remember that "such were some of you" (1 Corinthians 6:11). We have all acted in ways we regret. We have all wished at one point or another that others would have been more patient with us. Jesus wants us to show others the patience we want shown to us.

Gentleness is another fruit that often seems to be forgotten. Maybe we're so busy trying to convince others we are right that we forget to be gentle with them. Remember, gentleness isn't weakness.

When we find ourselves facing someone who disagrees with us, stay calm and pray for them. Show patience when they show impatience. Love them by peacefully accepting any hatred they express toward us.

Shining the Light of Christ in Daily Life

When we live out these fruits, especially toward those who oppose or disagree with us, the light of Christ becomes visible in our lives. When we watch the news, how do we feel when we see people representing a point of view different from our own? Do we feel loving, gentle, and patient towards them?

This is our opportunity to really shine the light of Christ on others. This is our chance to show the reality of our "differentness from others." As Christians, we are called to this. Sadly though, how we react to our government can be a problem for us. We are so invested these days in our politics we forget what Scripture tells us about how we interact with those who lead us. One of the places this is most visibly tested is in how we relate to the authorities and government around us

Biblical Guidance for Government and Justice

Several Scriptures point to how we should treat our government. Romans 13:1-7 discusses submission to the government; 1 Peter 2:13-17 talks about honoring and respecting government; 1 Timothy 2:2 reminds us to pray for the leaders of our government; and Matthew 22:21 explains that we are to pay the money owed to it.

All of this, of course, is within boundaries. Acts 5:29 tells us we should obey God rather than man. If we are told by men to do something in direct contradiction to God's word we must obey God. Our lives are always meant to be lived as though we are in the world, but not of the world (John 17:14-16). We live our lives in the space created by our government but our focus is God, not political.

When we obey God rather than man, we display the fruits of the Spirit to others. We don't judge the salvation of others. If we see the light of Christ in them and the fruit they bear, then we will understand God is at work and not man.

When I read headlines today it seems difficult to see the light of Christ being reflected. Even Christians, some on both sides of the aisle, ridicule government leaders instead of showing honor and respect. We may, at times, also see demonstrators verbally or physically assaulted by individuals who identify as Christians.

How is this in anyway showing the fruit of the Spirit? If you call me stupid because I am one political party and then I call you stupid, how are we promoting Christ? Retaliation against another person never works. When we love with the love of Christ we will "turn the other cheek." We may feel we are right about something but that never gives us license to be angry, or impatient, or unkind to someone.

Lately, however, some of these disagreements have escalated to real violence. Jesus said those who live by the sword, die by the sword (Matthew 26:52). Our only sword is the Word of God (Hebrews 4:12). This is our true spiritual sword. We should promote peace no matter what. If we return violence with violence how are we any different from them? Even in times when conflict seems to be growing, we must distinguish between pursuing justice responsibly and responding with anger or vengeance

We can and will have legitimate differences of opinion in this country, as we should. However, nowhere does Jesus say it is then OK to trash talk your neighbor, fellow church goer, or demonstrator in the street. Should we call for justice when we see wrong being done? Certainly. Remember, justice should be lawfully pursued. Vengeance is an emotional response. We have a system of justice and if the system fails us, then we know God is the ultimate judge of us all.

Responding with Prayer, Peace, and Perspective

We all need to remember that we can't force Jesus on anyone. Ultimately, it is the Holy Spirit who changes hearts. We sometimes forget, individually and as a nation, the power that prayer has. Jesus says to pray for those who despitefully use you (Matthew 5:44). Prayer remains our first line of defense when faced with hostility or injustice. Is prayer really our first response or is some kind of "pay back" mentality what we go to? History shows us many responses to injustice and opposition, and our goal here is not to judge individuals but to learn how Christ’s love calls us to respond in our own lives.

Learning from Historical Examples

Lately, I have seen Dietrich Bonhoeffer's example being given as one who opposed the government. He was a famous theologian in Germany during Hitler's rise to power. Bonhoeffer was put in a concentration camp and executed because of his participation in a plot to kill Hitler. I think perhaps he would have been outraged to have his example used to promote violence. His situation was extraordinary and should not be taken as a model for how Christians today respond to disagreement or injustice.

Bonhoeffer was an ardent pacifist and believer in non-violence until the atrocities committed by the Nazi's became unbearable to him. This created a terrible moral dilemma for him. He never justified his actions, but felt they were required after seeing the horrors unleashed by the Nazi government on it's citizens.

His actions, right or wrong, only came about because of the unthinkable extremes the Nazi government went to. His is the tragic exception. Does any sane person really believe today that we are at that point in our political environment? Are we really there?

By contrast, Martin Luther King Jr. faced racial injustice in the United States and responded with complete non-violence. As he said,

"Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars."

His life reminds us that even in the face of great wrongdoing, Christians are called to respond with love, patience, and courage, reflecting the light of Christ rather than escalating conflict.

Christian Witness in a Divided World

When we fail to share Christ through our example, we risk turning those we are called to witness to into our enemies. It takes courage to love those who don't return love, but that is how our lives are meant to reflect Christ. Even while we were His enemies, our Savior's love for us caused Him to be nailed to a tree. Being a Christian witness in a divided world isn't easy. Will we let that same love guide how we treat those we disagree with today?

Our calling is clear: to reflect Christ’s love, patience, and gentleness in every interaction, even with those who oppose us. God wants our hearts to reflect Him. If Christ’s love guides us, even conflict becomes a testimony. Our focus shifts from political victories to the condition of hearts, which is where Christ’s rule is ultimately revealed.