Dr. Martin Luther King observed that we have ‘A persistent schizophrenia leaves so many of us tragically divided against ourselves. On the one hand we proudly profess certain sublime and noble principles but on the other hand we sadly practice the very antithesis of these principles.’
I am sure that Dr. King was not speaking derisively, but confirming the extremely vitriolic nature of the discourse surrounding our politics and religion.
We encamp and build fortresses on what we genuinely believe as positions of moral certitude. We fight physically and verbally using words and actions that have nothing to do with proclaiming Christ. We are as Dr. King stated, schizophrenic.
Arguing with a schizophrenic is an endless expenditure of emotional energy. There is no intellectual or spiritual reward. It provides no relief for the misery and suffering in our world. Instead as Christians, we contribute to the pain by our refusal to accept the authority of Christ.
We try to coerce and convince others of things that only the Holy Spirit can convict. Without His conviction our conversations degenetate. We become the very darkness we decry. We become enemies of the cross as we beat people to submit to our understanding of love.
The world is operating under a strong delusion. We must not inhale the ether that causes this alternate reality. It only serves to advance the purposes of the enemy of our soul, the devil.
In 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 the apostle Paul wrote:
The coming of the lawless will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing.
They perish because they refused to love the truth and be saved.
For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.
I would summarize it as Mark Twain purportedly said: ‘Never argue with a fool. People see it and can’t which is the fool’.
Don’t use the ways of the schizophrenic to convince them they are schizophrenic. You will be a part of their delusion and in the process lead them further into darkness.