Answering Stereotypes
If it were not for some shadow of truth, stereotypes wouldn’t exist. But just because they exist, doesn’t mean that we have to be guilty of using them to easily and conveniently label people.
In fact, I believe that it’s wrong altogether to use stereotypes, for the simple fact that no matter what the stereotype, even if it’s true of some, it most certainly will not be true of all.
All demographics of people fall victim to being stereotyped and followers of Jesus are no exception.
Of all of the stereotypes that exist about Christians, the one that I think that I have run up against the most is the stereotype that Christians believe they are better than other people.
I think it’s important to have an answer for people when we run up against this belief. We need a good defense that isn’t defensive.
What I typically do, and this is by no means a template for what you should do, is explain as gently as possible that I don’t believe that I’m better than anyone else, in fact, I explain that it’s because I understand how desperately flawed I am that causes me to seek to follow Jesus as much as I can so that, in the process of following Him, I might become more like Him and less like myself.
When I can tell people are skeptical, I often then share some of my personal story. I explain who I was without Jesus and who am I today because I now follow Him.
How do you respond when you are mislabeled or misunderstood? However we respond, we must respond in ways that are kind, gentle and humble. If we aren’t those things, chances are we’ll never get a chance to continue the conversation, and what we say, no matter how good and true will be lost.
This week we’ll see Paul and Barnabas mislabeled and misunderstood in a profound way and there are many things we can learn from their experience and response.
1 Peter 3:15 – 15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;
Much love!
Wes LeFlore (918) 607-8489 or huskerwes1@gmail.com
