How to Survive Cancel Culture

You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things? Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. He will judge everyone according to what they have done. He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness. There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on doing what is evil—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism. ROMANS 2:1-11 NLT

I build my faith by…

Realizing how easy it is to get caught up in cancel culture

So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. MATTHEW 23:28 ESV

So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. 1 PETER 2:1 NLT

Reminding myself of how good God has been to me

Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? ROMANS 2:4 NLT

Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. JAMES 1:17 NLT

Working on my stubbornness rather than the stupidity of others

But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. He will judge everyone according to what they have done. ROMANS 2:5-6 NLT

“I believe the most sacred thing that each of us is given is our judgment, our morality, our own innate desire to separate right from wrong,” he said. “Choosing to set that responsibility aside at a moment of trial is a sin.” Tim Cook, CEO of Apple

For I know how stubborn and obstinate you are. Your necks are as unbending as iron. Your heads are as hard as bronze. ISAIAH 48:4 NLT

Blessed are those who fear to do wrong, but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble. PROVERBS 28:14 NLT

Focusing on eternal life and what’s at stake

He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness. There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on doing what is evil—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism. ROMANS 2:7-11 NLT

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Find a place where you can best focus your attention on God. Shut out the distractions around you and focus on spending time in his presence. When you are ready, begin a conversation with him. Ask God, “Are there areas of my life where I have been stubborn?” Confess any sins he brings to mind. Ask him to show you how he has been forgiving and merciful towards you. What feelings surface as you reflect on what God brings to mind? Thank him for his grace towards you. Recall a time when you participated in, or were tempted to be a part of “cancel culture”, and boycott someone or something because of a belief. Ask yourself, “Did I show God’s forgiveness and mercy to the people in this situation?” Remember that God longs to be merciful and gracious to everyone and for them to receive the gift of eternal life. Ask God to help you grow in seeing people with his perspective. Pray he will give you the power and the opportunity this week to extend his mercy and grace to someone. Tell your community group or someone you trust what God does through you in this situation.

Discussion Questions

What have you been learning about yourself, God or others in your personal Bible reading time? What stood out to you this week?

Have you ever been a part of the “cancel culture” (i.e. boycotted a person, store or service because of their belief or ideology)? If you have, what conviction motivated you to be a part of it? If you have not, have you been tempted to participate and why?

Read Romans 2:1-3. Hypocrisy is an issue for all of us. If you sat down with Jesus and asked him to point out where you have one standard for yourself and another for others, what do you think he would say?

Read Romans 2:4. As you think back over your life, what amazing things has God given you? What practical things can you do to remind yourself of his grace and kindness to you?

Read Romans 2:5-6. It’s often easier to see stupidity in others than in ourselves. What is an area of stubbornness in your life that you have been unwilling to change? What do you need to do about it?

Read Romans 2:7-11. What is one change you could make this week that would make a big difference in your future? How can we help you make this change?