These are interesting times that we live in and you know what they say how such can show who you really are. There is now a great divide not only in our society but in the church as well. The division is not neatly cut into two. There are the pros, the antis, the so-called neutrals, the quiet ones, and the apathetic. And this makes for an interesting bible study session when all sides are represented such as the one that my friend attends. There, he would receive reprimands (gentle and otherwise) imploring him to stop his “negative” postings. He even received a death threat once but thankfully, not from his bible study group.

My friend reminds me of Micaiah the prophet who was not winning any points with Ahab, the wicked king of Israel, and his adoring fans and followers. Micaiah alone stood his ground while everybody else, including prophets, kowtowed to the king’s whims and caprice.

Micaiah was advised to “agree with them and give the king a good answer” (I Kings 22:12) to which he responded, “As surely as the Lord lives, I can tell him only what my God says.” (v.13) But funny enough, he flippantly took their advice which only angered the king.

“How many times do I have to tell you to speak only the truth to me in the name of the Lord?” (v. 15) Ahab, no matter how wicked he was, knew deep inside that it was not his sycophants who were telling him the truth but his most hated enemy.

And so the prophet told him the Lord’s message which got the king riled up. “He never prophesies anything good about me, but only bad.” (v.17) Notice that he didn’t say Micaiah was not being truthful, just negative.

I believe we need the likes of my friend who may be “negative” but is brave enough to tell the truth especially when there is a vacuum with the church being silent and playing neutral Switzerland “because we don’t want to offend anyone.” Well, I am offended by its silence, and you should be as well.

We should be offended how it goes about the blessings of marriage while wives are being made widows.

We should be offended how it goes about how to raise kids while children especially from the poor sector are being made fatherless and orphans.

We should be offended how it goes about teaching us not to steal while we are being robbed of justice, dignity, and our future.

We should be offended at the realization that by its inaction, the church is enabling all this.