Christians Like Trap Music

Let's discuss the areas where we jump to judge, where we should protect progress.

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"I hit the trap today. I'm gone hit the club tonight." Is probably not the lyrics you'd imagine a Christian singing on their way to work. But that was me... This morning. And although 2Chainz is not the artist we would group with for a playlist also featuring Hillsong Worship, neither genre makes or breaks who a person is in the eyes of Christ. Honestly, the Church is quicker to judge another person in their life, where Christ may be smiling at their progress.

Yup.. the Church - note the capital "C."

I'm talking about us, as we look down on, you guessed it... Us.

Our generation may not be the first to boldly proclaim who we are, unapologetically. I think everyone who came before us, all had a group of social innovators and change advocates. But there is something about the Church, who unrealistically holds people to standards - we don't even consistently achieve ourselves. As a matter of fact, we become private with who we truly are, while openly judging those who live outloud with/in their truths.

I don't think we (as a whole) give enough credit or consideration to what another individual has gone through. As a matter of fact, why not encourage someone to be proud of where they are? Even if it isn't where they want to be. Who are we to dictate where/who they should be?

I'm going to use some songs from "Pretty Girls Like Trap Music" to dive into where we do this often; judging others, criticizing habits, ignoring our own opportunities, and allowing God to be God - Ruler of all, in control of all, and Forgiver/Redeemer of all:

- Saturday Night

- Good Drank

- It's a Vibe

- Realize

Saturday Night - Christians Who Still "Kick It"

Have you (anyone with an Instagram account) ever watched someone's story and in one moment they are having drinks, getting ready to go out, and totally enjoying themselves. Then a couple of clicks later they are conservatively dressed with a caption stating, "On the way to serve the Lord." We've all been on either or both sides of this... Seeing or being the person who went out drinking or kicking it and later on looking "holier than Thou." Or maybe you've physically been in church sitting next to someone who was clearly "out and about" the night before. If you follow me on IG you'll see me listening to Drake in one post and writing this blog in the next. Regardless of what/who you watch or interact with.

It's interesting how the reactions go. ..

"I guess (s)he decided to be a Christian today." "Oh.. We just suppose to pretend like you weren't drunk last night?" "Did you 'love Jesus' when you were twerking in the club?"

"Dang... That is not the smell of the Holy Ghost!!"

Obviously, these comments are dramatic. Like you, I honestly wouldn't know what it sounds like to judge somebody. :) But it's always been crazy to me how we love stating "Come as you are" (which verbatim isn't even a Bible verse). Or we turn into the Prophet Tupac and make sure the world knows, "Only God can judge me" (an adaptation of multiple Bible verses, clarifying only God has the power to judge). These scriptures are often used in defense of self, instead of offensively - in the protection of a brother and/or sister.

James 1:19 teaches us to be "Quick to hear. Slow to speak. Slow to anger." Or maybe, in this case, "slow to judge." But we'll get to that later.

Good Drank - Christians Who Operate with Lifestyle Conflicts

When we think of "Lifestyle Conflicts," it's easy to attribute that to what we just spoke about; someone who still occasionally drinks, smokes, parties... Whatever. But it's honestly deeper than that. There's a difference between people who socially drink and smoke, and those who honestly do not feel they can operate without it. Or, let's switch it up and really recognize something we all (might have) judge(d) but ignore... Anybody have friends who do not identify as "straight" or heterosexual? Maybe this person is you. You might be someone who agrees with the Kensey Scale, which depicts sexuality is "fluid" and everybody has the ability to find a person of either gender attractive. Regardless - Anything beyond this is levels deeper than I am equipped to discuss on a social study/scale, which (thank God) isn't the foundation of point or focus. Either way... It's easy to judge a "sin" when it's on the billboard of someone else's life. You can spot it without a clue or using more than one of your senses.

At the same time, just because you can easily identify it. Does not give you the grace to instantly condemn it. A scripture without context and not spoken out of love, is meaningless.

Someone who is drunk everyday is not going to sober up from your judgement. A chronic drug abuser is not going to drop the needle, flush the pills, or walk away from weed after your convincing monologue of guilt. A member of the LBGTQ+ community is not going to become "straight" after you tell them they are an "abomination." As a matter of fact, who says God isn't using all of these people and working with them right where they are?

What if that smell of alcohol is better than the shame they would have felt had they slept with multiple people last week. What if that pill was actually a downgrade from what they used to do? I'm not defending, or making light of substance abuse or homosexuality.

But while we are on the subject... Let me go on a Biblical rant for just a few seconds.

Yes, we can quote the Bible and make sure all those who are not "straight" feel they are an "abomination" (Leviticus 18:22) all you want. In the same breath you better not go around shaming homosexuals while letting your child watch Beauty and the Beast. As Leviticus also talks about how a man/woman should not lie with a Beast. We can't go hard on one Bible verse and not put it all in consideration and context. At the end of the day, "the wages of all sin is death" (Romans 6:23) and "all have fallen short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).

I firmly believe there is an overlap in being a Christian and living day to day with sexual immorality. I also know sexual immorality is not just "a man with a man," or a "woman with a woman." There is no difference between that an a man or woman sleeping with whomever they want whenever they want. Nor does it excuse the celibate, Christian single who watches porn when they get "that feeling."

WE DON'T KNOW someone else's story. Y'all, when I was an undergrad in college, I used to work at a facility that housed kids who were wards of the State. I'll never forget the case of a little girl. She was seven or eight at the time, and was housed with us because there was no safe place in her family for her to live. She was removed from her parents house because he father sexually abused her. When that was discovered she was placed with another family member where, he uncle sexually abused her. They she was placed with her grandparents - where her grandfather abused her. That little girl will grow up to be an adult who lives with and battles those memories daily. Who am I to sit by her when she is an adult and judge her from having the smell of alcohol on her breath when the pastor says "Hug your neighbor"?

Too often we promote ourselves to "Christian in Chief" - believing we are the source of someone's salvation. When in reality we are damning someone to believe they will never be more than who they are in our eyes. Have we ever stopped to consider, maybe a person's sin is actually the place of progress? Sometimes the people we look at as "tripping" or "backsliding" are indeed just crawling their way to God. One hand over the other.

It's A Vibe - Christians Living in Ignorance of Themselves

A "vibe" is an "emotional quality" derived from "nostalgia." Basically, when you feel "okay" with something because it reminds you of something comforting. I can be okay with me, and my pattern of sin, when I know I'm capable of being a better person. Often, knowing that I can be "better" allows me to mess up more than I should. We rest on our laurels.

We've slacked. Fell off. Failed God. But, hey.. Alexa play that Donnie McClurkin, please. "We fall down.. and we get up." Because we know "a righteous man falls seven times, and gets back up" (Proverbs 24:16). We quote that scripture and forget to be "righteous" comes from seeking God and doing things to make Him pleased with us, not judging others and making them ashamed to be around us.

We neglect our responsibility of making Kingdom decisions; leading by example and speaking life instead of death. Even if you aren't the individual who walks by passing judgement on everyone. I pray that isn't you. But are you living up to your calling? Are you walking in your purpose? Because, let me tell you, any decision you make is either for Christ or not. Get your Christian Checklist ready... Are you tithing (consistently, whether it looks like you can "afford" to or not)? Are you making a point in your day to dedicate uninterrupted time with God (reading His Word, taking time to see how it applies to your life, watching a sermon)? Are you sharing your faith?

That's the part where we easily fail ourselves and Him. It's easy to do the private, Christian life. Sewn your tithes, faithfull - check. Read your T.D. Jakes Devotional Bible - check. Watch Transformation Church on YouTube - check. Listen to Steven Furtick's podcast - check. Bought and read Craig Groeshel's new book - check. Even gone to or lead a small group - Check. It's easy to do Christian activities in the comfort/safety of your own home or with other Christians. Any of us can do that, even if not many of us do all of those above.

Sharing your faith with those around you - eh?!? (Kanye shrug, right?) And here is where we get it twisted.. Using scriptures to tear people down is not the same as spreading the Word of God to lift them up. It's not the same thing!!! And it's not okay. And how do you know when you are doing one over the other? Who is your conversation aimed at and who is it benefiting? If your conversation boosts yourself and casts down others, you can proudly place yourself in the temple where Jesus flipped a table (Matthew 21:12-13).

Are you gambling and misusing the money of the Church? No.

Are you using your faith as currency for your ego? Yup!

Realize - Knowing Our Place/Giving it to God.

Our place in the Kingdom of God is to live right, ourselves - in the hopes that our faith will inspire others. To be transparent enough about who we are (our failures, our missteps, our entire testimony) so we can show others that the same God who forgave us and forgives us daily will do the same for them. It's about not having to know someone's history personally to encourage them towards a future in Christ. Without discrimination, we are to love our neighbors as they are, because God saw them way before you met them. He knew them in the womb. You just ran into them at Starbucks!! Who is better equipped to work with their hearts and guide their steps, better than the One who created them?

Let's step out of the director's chair and stop acting like we are the manager over casting calls to Heaven. People do not get in because of us. They can surely talk themselves out of wanting to go there after meeting us. Everyone is worthy of the grace of God. You were.

And so are they.