Better, Not Bitter: A Jesus response in a Charlie Kirk culture

Hello friends. Lately I’ve been reflecting on the cultural and political debates orbiting around figures like Charlie Kirk. Debates that spark both deep admiration and deep disagreement, to be sure.

It seems too easy to slip into bitterness, anger, or division. But these same tensions can also shape us toward compassion, discernment, and spiritual maturity.

I've been back reading the New Testament book of Philippians, and I've landed on that familiar verse: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)

To be honest, it isn't always reassuring when cultural conflicts are intense. That might seem obvious. Personally, I tend to withdraw, brace myself for defense, and feel somewhat anxious. Nevertheless, that experience, along with my reaction, serves as a reminder that our hearts crave something more when everything around us is divided. I've certainly lived long enough to learn, lean in, and lead in a way that asserts the "more" comes from God. I'd like to explore that idea for 2 minutes.

Throughout the Scriptures, there is certainly a consistent invitation to choose between a posture that is bitter, hardened and defensive, or a posture that is better, filled with love, truth, patience, and grace, even when I feel misrepresented in my faith or convictions.

When we step into public life. When we engage politics, culture, or public figures, the temptation is strong to reduce people to opponents, to slip into sarcasm, gossip, or harsh judgment. And if we’re honest, we do it more often than we’d like to admit or even realize.

But the message of the Bible asks something different. The Gospel asks us to remember our own weaknesses, to walk humbly, to speak truth in love, and to trust that transformation begins in our own hearts, not just in systems or ideologies. In other words, when we begin to trust Jesus with our natural struggles, He, in return, gives us loads of grace to live at a different level.

So, what does it look like to become better, not bitter, in this kind of cultural moment? Here are some suggestions:

• Listening well: Not just hearing soundbites or social media breathless takes, but listening to what motivates people on “the other side.” Where do they feel wounded or afraid? What are their hopes? Are we really listening?

• Speaking truth with gentleness: Holding convictions firmly, but tempering our tone. The fruit of the Spirit shows up when our truth-telling doesn’t tear.

• Praying for enemies and critics: Jesus tells us to love those who oppose us. When our hearts align with God, praying for those who irritate or challenge us softens us more than distancing.

• Owning our bitterness: If we notice anger, jealousy, tribalism, judgment rising inside, admit it. Confession is part of becoming better.

• Remembering ultimate hope: Our identity is not in what any speaker, politician, or commentator says; it's in Jesus Christ. Our hope is not that the “right side” wins every argument, but that God’s kingdom (justice, mercy, truth, beauty, etc.),  takes more hold in us personally and in community.

Sometimes a verse like Philippians 4:4 stops me in my tracks. I can’t just skim past it. In seasons like this, the passage doesn’t just comfort me. It unsettles me. It interogates me. I'm going to probably process Philippians 4:4 all week because I really do want to lean in and get better.

I believe Philippians 4:4 is for you, too. Especially now, in a moment when it feels hard to see how the gospel can speak into cultural tensions without being co-opted, caricatured, or even weaponized.

The bottom line here is that you either allow what comes at you to twist you into bitterness, or you allow it to refine you toward something better. For me, it's too difficult to do on my own. I need a power outside of myself to work in me and through me. I'm guessing that's true of you too.

May God give you strength to see others as He does, and to love as He loves. We may fall short, but Christ in us never does. Peace and love to you today. ~ Paul

Question to reflect on in light of all of this: In relation to someone or something you strongly disagree with (politically, culturally, publicly, or even spiritually), in what specific ways might choosing to become better instead of bitter change how you behave, speak, or pray today?