Americans are living in an era marked by profound social, political, and moral collapse. A quick scroll through social media or a glance at the evening news reveals a cascade of troubling images and narratives. Godlessness, sexual depravity, and unchecked greed dominate the cultural landscape, often celebrated by the very influencers and power brokers shaping public thought.
Filmmakers, musicians, and tech innovators frequently weave their own moral depravity into their work, making sin and lust central themes. As a result, our society has become ensnared in its own destructive appetites, too arrogant and self-assured to acknowledge the damage.
For Christians, this reality is deeply distressing. We see the brokenness, the sin, and the darkness, so our hearts grieve. It's right to lament this moral decay, to acknowledge the ugliness around us, and to cry out for revival. These are indeed times that call for deep repentance and intercession.
However, some churchgoers let their frustration turn into hostility toward others. Instead of responding with the heart of the Lord, they lash out, ridiculing and castigating the "sinners." Online, many become entangled in political and doctrinal debates, renouncing anything that doesn’t align with their sensibilities..
Some who claim to follow Christ take this even further, cursing “outsiders” and reveling in their pain and losses. They seem to get a smug satisfaction from calling down judgment on wealthy and influential cultural gatekeepers.
Some churchgoers cry out to God—not for mercy or redemption, but for fire and judgment. I’ve even heard people say things like: “Those people are what’s wrong with this nation, and they deserve the fiery wrath of God.” Such statements reflect a hardened heart, one that sees brokenness and confusion not as an opportunity for salvation but as justification for their annihilation.
It’s a dangerous shift, trading compassion for contempt, and mercy for malice—a path far removed from the heart of Christ.
The Real Danger Lies Within
It’s easy to fear “outsiders,” but the truth is, the greatest breakdown often comes from within the church. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not external forces but internal attitudes that are undermining the mission. Agitated, self-righteous behavior among believers is obstructing the spread of the good news.
Make no mistake: anger and condescension cannot continue to define Christianity. If left unchecked, it will erode our identity and calling as God’s people. What’s at stake is far greater than our own rights or public vindication—it’s the clarity of God’s love to a world that desperately needs to see it.
When we choose retribution over compassion, we distort the image of a benevolent God in the eyes of the very people he longs to reach. Tragically, this is happening far too often, staining the testimony of the Lord's kindness and grace.
Calling Down Fire?
American Christians aren’t the only ones who have faced this kind of inner turmoil. The early followers of Jesus also wrestled with how to respond to wickedness. As they encountered moral decay and a blatant rejection of their message, anger surged, and some wanted to act decisively.
One vivid example is found in Luke 9, when a Samaritan village rejected the message of Jesus' followers. For these believers, this was unthinkable—how could people so openly renounce the ways of the Messiah? James and John, often called the “sons of thunder,” were particularly outraged. Their agitation boiled over as they approached Jesus with a bold suggestion:
“Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” (Luke 9:54).
Their reaction reflected the human instinct to confront evil with swift and severe judgment. Yet, Jesus was stunned by their words. Although the Samaritans had indeed aligned themselves with darkness, Jesus made it clear that the disciples' responses didn't align with his heart.
Turning to his disciples, He sternly rebuked them:
“You do not know what kind of spirit you are of; for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them” (Luke 9:55-56).
Jesus’ correction was not just about that moment—it was a profound revelation of the intent of the messianic age. Unlike the previous emphases on wrath and retribution, the new covenant was to be marked by grace, mercy, and salvation. Judgment would most certainly come, but only at the appointed time of the final reckoning. For now, the mission was clear: to offer salvation and hope, even to the wicked.
Jesus’ words carry a timeless warning to all who follow him: the temptation to adopt a “wrong religious spirit” must be resisted. Even when wickedness seems overwhelming, the call of the righteous is to advance in the love and grace of the Father, not fiery judgment.
Conclusion
Some may disagree, but I'm convinced that Jesus is calling believers today to embrace a higher standard. No matter how pervasive the darkness or egregious the sin, Christians have no business decreeing judgment on others. It’s time to leave Los Angeles, Las Vegas, New Orleans, and even the broader United States in God’s hands. Though her sins are many, it is not the role of new covenant believers to call down fire. That is simply not the way of Christ.
Despite what we hear on the radio, read in popular books, or even absorb from certain pulpits, believers cannot afford to give in to bitterness or punitive displays. Our agitation over alternative lifestyles, "woke" politics, or any other form of wickedness will not move the Kingdom of God forward. In fact, when we allow ourselves to become consumed by retribution, we risk entangling ourselves with the wrong spirit—one that contradicts the love and mission of Jesus.
It’s time for the Church to stop decreeing death and destruction, even to those who may seem deserving of it. Instead, we must embody the Lord’s goodness, extending grace, mercy, and life to a broken and hurting world. The gospel is not a weapon of wrath but a beacon of hope.
In this challenging hour, how are you responding to the wickedness around you? Are you calling down fire, or are you living as an expression of salvation and restoration? What kind of spirit are you of?
I have new book on personal revival coming out through Chosen Books. Check it out here.
Comments