About the Middle Finger

The following may be a "handy" reminder for Christians who engage in the public square:

Those who stand for the Gospel publicly and who speak out against child sacrifice (the sin of abortion) in our culture will often encounter people who do not appreciate the light being shone into their darkness.

Whether they are walking into the murder mill or they are simply driving by, there seems to be a common response—the middle finger.

Somehow our society has attributed this gesture as a way to curse and speak in a vulgar way without words.

It is easy as a human to be downcast, or downright angry, when someone arrogantly lifts their middle finger at you. Many Christians are alarmed or offended—discouraged, or indignant.

I would submit, however, that there are certain things we can and should remember when encountering this perverted form of opposition from those who hate God.

Stop and Remember...

Remember that the curse causeless shall not come. [Proverbs 26:2]

Remember to bless those that curse you.  [Matthew 5:4; Luke 6:28; Romans 12:14,17-21]

Do not be afraid to wave at those who seek to curse you.  I have seen it dismay the receiver, on a number of levels.  First, it is completely counter intuitive to human nature and confuses those with blasphemy in their hearts.  Secondly, it shows that they cannot rile us.  Our response can cause coals of fire on their heads—they will have to wrestle with the fact that we responded more civilly and more loving than they, although the narrative they believe makes Christians the "haters". And thirdly, I have seen instances in which they have been confounded in their plan, and have believed that we thought they were supporting what we were doing (and who wouldn't?).

Remember to rejoice. [Matthew 5:10-12; II Timothy 3:12]

We are commanded in Scripture to rejoice and be exceeding glad at any persecution that comes.  God has promised that those who live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer.  And really, I would have to say that getting a finger thrown in our face is the lowest level of persecution we could receive.  God says, blessed are the persecuted, the reviled, and the evil spoken of for His sake.

Remember that only fools make a mock at sin. [Proverbs 14:9]

Remember that this could be a sign of the Holy Spirit's conviction. I am always grateful for indicators that the Lord is working in the hearts of men. I’d rather see some type of reaction than none at all.

Remember that a finger is not an argument, (the finger is just an appendage of the hand, which you cannot extend but for the grace of God), and if someone has to resort to a gesture instead of giving a reasoned response they are evincing that they have lost the debate.

One thing that always comes to mind when I see someone show me the middle finger when I’m calling out to them on behalf of children in the womb, is that at least they are doing something. 

Most Christians won’t even lift a finger to stand against murder by abortion so rampant in our land.

And there is a question.

It is worth asking.

The question is, what are YOU doing to bring the Gospel into conflict with abortion?  What are YOU doing to love your preborn neighbor in word and deed and truth (engaging for equal protection under the law in a day when the culture at large, including the ProLife leadership and legislators—and the church at large—are allowing the abomination of child sacrifice to continue under "color of law")?

Need ideas?  Contact me.

Abortion must be abolished.