The Stakes of Our Support

“I will show no partiality, nor will I flatter anyone…” Job 32:21

><

Wisdom that comes from heaven is

impartial. (Jm. 3:17)

Juxtaposed with “vile practices” 

born of ungodly ambition,

the rubbing-shoulders, 

favors-for-followers culture of leadership in faith circles 

mirrors the world  

and mutes the dissonant chords of prudence.

The impartial man or woman’s first instinct of discernment is

to adjust the scales. 

The world metes out violence 

through power structures opposed to Christ; 

so go faith communities in the absence of 

a just witness. 

The impartial see social webs of bias in groups—physical or digital—

as a blinding torrent 

that trades moral vitality for a scapegoat. 

The quickest way to flatline your integrity 

as a leader 

or community 

is

to defend a duplicitous “ally” 

because you benefit from their success. 

It’s ambition-spirituality, 

the politics of abuse 

that crushes families. 

God calls it

earthly

unspiritual

demonic. (3:15) 

The impartial see the cavalry of well-knowns

rushing to console an admired peer

And stand in the gap instead.

Not as neutral

but as Nathan to David,

with holy & prophetic courage, 

they listen 

as a shepherd or friend

for the battered un-knowns in the shadows

and speak accordingly.

The wise foresee (& avoid) 

the ruinous stakes of a later admission.

“I didn’t know...”

“I didn’t see…”

“I didn’t believe…” 

The impartial learn the wages of justice,

the losses accrued

to keep one’s soul.

With love in view,

they fall on the betraying sword

to uphold the ravaged life of another,

forgotten by many,

remembered by God.

Cheers Ladies by Jon Neidert