I had to make a tough decision this past week. Probably one of the hardest I have ever had to make. I made the decision to leave my church family and friends, that I love with all my heart. I never wanted to leave, thought I was rooted for life, and had even taught others that I was in it for the long haul and they should be too. I thought I was, but . . .

It became a matter of principle.

Right after announcing my decision to leave, I got in my car and on a radio program a  man was preaching that it is time we speak up–The Emperor Has No Clothes!

He’s right! I’m sure you know the story of the ruler that convinced everyone to go along with him, even agreeing against what they could see with their own eyes. Everyone followed for fear of speaking up. Fearful of standing out and being the only voice, they denied the truth–even to themselves. One young boy didn’t have any motive, anyone to impress, and in innocence, spoke the TRUTH.

When I made the decision to leave, rather than sorrow, sadness and depression, I felt elation. An immediate sense of freedom from being bound, like a bondage had been broken off of me. What followed was joy bubbling up and out of my spirit, and I have been full of great joy ever since. Before this takeover happened to my church, I had this same great joy, but what came in was a bulldozer; resulting in depression, anger, and a death-like feeling inside– a terrible sorrow one shouldn’t feel when present in the church-body they love.

I wasn’t going to say anything. I had approached leadership before this happened, because I had great trepidation. I told them I could not find peace. Expressing my concerns came to no avail, but were certainly not unfounded.

My joy comes from standing for principle–standing for Truth!

My concerns started when the takeover stated that he had asked  Jesus what He liked best about him and Jesus replied, “I love your sarcasm.”

Please allow me to refresh you on the meaning of the term. These are four definitions I found defining “Sarcasm.”

“Sarcasm: The use of remarks that clearly mean the opposite of what they say, made in order to hurt someone’s feelings or to criticize something in a humorous way.”

“Sarcasm: noun

1.  A cutting, often ironic remark intended to express contempt or ridicule.
2. A form of wit characterized by the use of such remarks. “detected a hint of sarcasm in his voice.”
3. A keen, reproachful expression; a satirical remark uttered with some degree of scorn or contempt; a taunt; a gibe; a cutting jest.”

Sarcasm: is the caustic use of words, often in a humorous way, to mock someone or something. Sarcasm may employ ambivalence, although it is not necessarily ironic. Most noticeable in spoken word, sarcasm is mainly distinguished by the inflection with which it is spoken or, with an undercurrent of irony, by the extreme disproportion of the comment to the situation, and is largely context-dependent.”

“Sarcasm noun

1. : a sharp and often satirical or ironic utterance designed to cut or give pain.

2.  a : a mode of satirical wit depending for its effect on bitter caustic, and often ironic language that is usually directed against an individual.

b : the use or language of sarcasm.”

Basically, sarcasm, is poison that pollutes all those that must succumb to it. When it doesn’t go over well they say, “I was just kidding.” Sarcasm is the opposite of Truth, often a nasty remark hidden behind the guise of humor, usually sick-humor.

“Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death, is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I am only joking!” Proverbs 26:18-19

When the takeover learned of my attempt to expose the truth of sarcasm, it was defensively doubled down–even to the audacity of saying that Jesus spoke sarcastically to His disciples.

Blasphemy!

Can anyone read those definitions and truthfully say that Jesus would embrace such behavior? Even if the person makes the remarks against themselves, what fruit is there in negative behavior disguised as humor? That ended it for me and I was going to go away quietly, but every time I open my bible since, it is underscored that one needs to speak up!

Nebuchadnezzar had Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego bound and thrown into the fiery furnace because they refused to bow to the god that he had created. They weren’t afraid of standing up to the king, for they knew their King is Jesus–He is Truth!

“He who walks in integrity will be delivered, but he who is perverse in his ways will fall into a pit.” Proverbs 28:18

Truth is the opposite of Sarcasm, isn’t it?

I stand for Truth! Even at the cost of losing my church home–a family that I love with all my heart. I have joy because Jesus is with me in the midst of the fire. He took the bounds off of me when I stood and defended His character.

I have joy because I don’t follow man, I follow Jesus, and where He is–there is JOY!

How about you?

Does your church lead you closer to Jesus, leave you refreshed and full of JOY? If not, maybe you should stand up and speak the TRUTH!

“Nebuchadnezzar said, ‘Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants,  who trusted in him, and set at nought the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God.” Daniel 3:28