Navigating Noise in the 21st Century Church World

I haven’t been writing a whole lot these days.

I find myself pausing frequently before I let my fingers start flying across a keyboard.

I suppose the main reason for that, is that I’m acutely aware that a multitude of voices creates a cacophony. Each one that raises their voice to be heard furthers the commotion. As a believer who has sought to untangle truth from error in order to walk forward in what is Biblical, I have struggled immensely to navigate this pandemonium. Nothing has driven me to my knees more, in this chapter, than the struggle to hear through the noise of other believers.  

In a lot of ways, the accessibility of platform in the 21^st Century has been a great thing. I am grateful for quality content that brings things into focus and points us back to Scripture. It’s been an enormous relief to me, at times, to participate in online groups where experiences are shared and we are reminded that we aren’t alone, or to come across a mature believer who has legitimate wisdom and a God-given knack for bringing clarity to what we are facing. I love to pick up a good book and read about a topic someone has studied in depth. I get excited about resources that sharpen my understanding of the Word of God. And being exposed to a variety of opinions has done much to balance and humble my own.

On the other hand, I often find this unrefined stream of influence extremely overwhelming.

Anyone that wants a platform can have one. Anyone can throw their thoughts and ideas into the atmosphere completely uninhibited. They can write a book, blog, start a podcast or a group, become an influencer, have a channel, make content, stream church services, hijack a post with a comment war…

And for every one that brings clarity, there are fifty creators of noise.

In this hour, it feels like we are incessantly bombarded from every angle with false teaching, erroneous ideas, theologically mangled music, and catchy soundbites that redefine entire doctrines. This one and that one are battling for your attention and everyone believes that whatever they are saying is more important than what anyone else is saying. There are millions who attend churches where pulpits flow with opinions and pet peeves instead of the Gospel, and worship leaders sacrifice what is Biblically sound for what is trendy and emotional. Popular Christian books, rather than the Bible, are becoming the focal point of Bible Studies and discipleship. Our newsfeeds are flooded with feel-good sermons by celebrity Christians that undermine the truth of Who God is. There are more than 200 denominations in the U.S. and a hefty chunk of them think you cannot possibly be saved unless you belong to them.

Men have made Christianity so utterly confusing.

There’s a lot of noise and pressure and it’s very easy, in this torrent of opinions and perspectives and ideas to feel a sense of panic or to get swept up in whatever vein of influence you find yourself in. The pressure to pick a side, grab a label, and figure everything out immediately is very real.

More than once, I have had to take a giant step back from everything.

Unfollow some ministries I liked.

Snooze some people I loved.

Take the stack of books back to the library without cracking them open.

Turn off notifications for awhile…

And just zero in on Christ.

Stick my nose in my Bible.

Consume His Word.

Read Paul’s teachings.

Find the simplicity again and re-establish my footing.

After a few days of shutting everything else out, and tuning into Scripture, I always find that clarity I need.

It’s never as complicated as people seem to make it.

I used to ask myself, all the time, how so many people with such noble intentions, could make it so difficult for other people.

Why are some Christians bringing clarity, and others creating noise?

It’s been sobering for me, to reflect on church history and see how many people thought they had something to say, something to fix, something to stand for…. And what ultimately transpired from their efforts was generation upon generation of cataclysmic spiritual damage. I often think of Matthew 12:36, and how Jesus warned that we would give an account for every idle word. It’s clear that our words matter, because they are constantly influencing other people.

But I think the answer lies largely in 1 Corinthians 13. Paul lists a host of wonderful things, and good spiritual ambitions… but, he explains, whatever isn’t done in love is like a clanging cymbal.

Noise.

Good, seemingly spiritual intentions aren’t enough.

In fact, ministries are absolutely irrelevant without it.

There must be love.

And I’m so glad that Paul went on to describe, in detail, what that legitimate love looks like, because there are a lot of things that look like love on the surface, but are actually cleverly concealed imitations, rooted in selfish ambition. But Paul spells it out for us. His description gives us a bit of a gauge as we navigate the commotion of the ministries of men.

He tells us that love is patient and that it’s kind.  So we can ask ourselves, if the ministry vying for our attention is one that reflects patience. Do they make you feel pressured? Are they long-suffering? Is this ministry excessively critical? Do they rant and rave? Are they insulting of others? Do they mock those that do not agree with them? He tells us that love doesn’t brag. Love is not arrogant. It doesn’t act disgracefully. Does the person talk a lot about the things they have done? Is there an ample supply of humble-bragging about the ways ‘God has used’ them? Remember, the Holy Spirit directs your attention to Christ! (John 16:13-14) Does it seem like the person finds ways to promote themselves or the things that they do? Does their pattern of behavior reflect the fruits of the Spirit? (Galatians 5:22-26) He also tells us that love does not seek its own benefit. Are the people behind the ministry trying to make a name for themselves? Are they motivated by gaining personal significance or a sense of fulfillment? Are they branding themselves, or seeking to establish a personal legacy?  Do they seek to increase their popularity or add to their following? Do they mishandle the Word of God?

A true, honest look at Biblical love that flows from Christ will do much to help us filter and sift through the noise all around us. And verse 12 gives me so much hope.

“For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully, just as I also have been fully known.”

I want to be very careful, that I am not simply “adding to the noise” in the life of another person.   

My prayer this year, is that there would be no aspect of my life that would obscure Him for other people. That if I speak, that each word would be a word in His hands, that would bring clarity. My hope is that I might fade from view, and perhaps in doing so, others may see Him more clearly. That no part of my life could distract someone from Him. And that no part of my life would complicate Him for other people.

I wish to be like a pane of glass…

So clear that I am unseen.

So transparent that Christ is in full view.