Many Christians today feel attacked for upholding moral values rooted in biblical truth. We’ve often been ridiculed and marginalized by certain groups who mock our convictions. With shifts in political and cultural landscapes, my concern now is how Christians will respond after having felt pressured and pushed down. Will we return kindness for cruelty, or will we mirror the very attitudes we’ve been criticized for?
Recently, David French wrote a thought-provoking article in The New York Times titled, Why Are Christians So Cruel? The title alone is jarring—it certainly grabbed my attention. In his piece, French reflects on the negative attitudes, harsh tones, and name-calling that many Christians have exhibited in recent years. While overt cursing is missing, the cruelty—both online and in person—is still shocking. It’s clear that many are angry about the moral challenges facing society, but the vitriol and emotional flare-ups often go too far. As followers of Christ, such behavior is not only unbecoming, it’s deeply unrepresentative of who we are called to be.
Now, with a shift in the political administration, it’s possible that Christian values may face less scrutiny for a time. But my question is this: will we gloat, return cruelty for cruelty, or seek revenge on those who have opposed us? I hope not. The gospel is not advanced through harshness, and a mean-spirited approach only pushes people away from the love of Christ.
Sadly, I’ve seen this kind of cruelty not just in online forums but even within Christian organizations. And when it happens within the family of believers, it can be especially painful. After all, we expect the world to misunderstand us—but we should not expect such behavior among those who profess the same faith. At times, there seems to be a troubling lack of grace even within the church, as if we’ve forgotten the importance of extending the same love and mercy that was so freely given to us.
Now, let me be clear: I’m not saying we should abandon standing for truth. We must always uphold what Scripture teaches. But the manner in which we stand for that truth is just as important as the truth itself. Do our words and actions align with the character of Christ, or do we distort biblical principles to justify our own sense of “rightness”? Are we wielding truth as a weapon to hurt others, or are we speaking the truth in love, as the Bible commands?
If we want to understand how to live this out, we need only look at how Jesus handled power and influence. Though He was fully God and without sin, He rejected power in both word and deed. He entered the world humbly, born in a lowly stable, a refugee in a foreign land. He didn’t seek political or personal power. Instead, He inverted the world’s understanding of power by declaring that “the last shall be first” (Matthew 20:16). His words in Matthew 5:44—“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” show us a different way to respond to those who oppose us. Jesus didn’t build a movement by overthrowing governments or flexing political muscle. His power was not in dominance, but in humility and sacrificial love.
The Bible has numerous warnings against cruelty. Think of the story of Cain and Abel, or Joseph and his brothers—both are cautionary tales of what happens when anger, jealousy, and cruelty go unchecked. Jesus himself tells us in Matthew 5:16 to “let your light shine before others,” to live in such a way that others see Christ in us and are drawn to Him. As a child, I remember singing 2 Corinthians 5:20, which reminds us that “we are Christ ambassadors.” As His representatives, we are called to reflect His character—to be known not for our judgment or condemnation, but for our love and grace.
So let’s ask ourselves: How are we reflecting Christ’s love to the world? In a time when the world is increasingly divided and hostile, are we adding to the noise with cruelty and judgment, or are we adding to the light with compassion and understanding?
As Christians, we must strive to be known for our kindness, humility, and love—qualities that will draw others to Christ. After all, no one will be attracted to a gospel preached by mean-spirited people. Let’s do everything we can to live out our faith in a way that answers the question, “Why are Christians so cruel?”—not by our cruelty, but by our Christlike love.