It’s wild to watch people tear one another to shreds who believe they are fighting for God. Jesus calls us to this truth: “And the time will come when people will kill you and think they are doing God a favor. They will do these things because they don’t know either the Father or me. I am saying this to you now, so that when the time comes, you will remember what I have said,” John 16:1- 5.

I’m often amazed that people believe God needs them to fight for His honor. I am witnessing multiple Christian YouTube commentators who feels a sense of superiority by condemning others with harsh and lewd comments that are not rooted in love. Too many lately have a stance to criticize everyone they disagree with, and judgements are made about people that are often rooted in mean-spiritedness and arrogance based on 20 second clips. They take scripture out of context to confirm their belief. If we are not careful, we can believe that the church is in disarray, when the reality is that this is not a surprise to God and it shouldn’t be for us either.

As much as we act as if the Pharisees are a figment of the past, the truth is that we are surrounded by modern day Pharisees and Sadducees. These religious leaders that wore scriptures had Jesus in their midst and missed His presence seeking a sign. Is it possible that many of us are missing what God is doing in our midst because we are too busy trying to prove we are right?

They saw the good deeds of Jesus and found fault believing that He was from the devil. “Now when the Pharisees heard it, they said: “This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.” But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out?” Matthew 12:24-30. These religious leaders who felt that they were representing God were the ones who were instrumental in the crucifixion of Christ. In their minds they felt, they were doing God a favor.

We are witnessing a world in which many feel a sense of entitlement to call out the behavior of others without examining their own short-comings. We live in a world that has created a rating system on what is forgivable and what is unfathomable.

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you,” Matthew 7:1-5. I do not believe that we sit by and idly witness abuse and harm. Too many will protect the bad behavior of those in power because of their ability to benefit from it.

God commands us to go to our brothers and sisters to tell them when there is an offense (Matthew 18:15-17). Sadly, the repercussions and hatefulness that many will experience in the confrontation is usually more frightening than creating a video or hiding behind a keyboard. People either are not in relationship with folks, so they make judgements based on brief observations—or if they are proximate, the fear out-weighs telling someone the truth.

At the core, we have a relational problem. Instead of seeking God through prayer and consecration about a person or situation, too many find it their responsibility to do something in their power. Instead of going to someone directly about an issue, they instead choose to slaughter them through words to strangers to look more righteous and relevant. As an observer, it’s all messed up.

Everyone who says the name of God doesn’t know God (Matthew 7:21-23). “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies,” 2 Peter 2:1-22.

Don’t get caught up in the foolishness. God is not surprised, and you shouldn’t be either.

(Dr. Froswa’ Booker Drew is founder of the Reconciliation and Restoration Foundation and president of the Soulstice Consultancy. Visit <drfroswabooker.com> or email <info@drfroswa.com>).