When Your Faith iIs Twisted

Watching the events unfold at the Capitol, with “Jesus Saves” signs held high alongside acts of violence, broke my heart. It’s hard to reconcile such actions with the teachings of Christ. Jesus preached love, peace, and grace—not division, hatred, and chaos. Seeing His name tied to something so destructive is a wake-up call for all of us who claim to follow Him.

Moments like this force us to take a hard look in the mirror. Who’s really on the throne of our lives? Is it Jesus, or have we let politics, power, or pride take His place? We have to be honest about what’s driving us because when faith gets twisted like this, it not only damages others but distorts the message of the gospel itself.

Faith isn’t about waving a banner or shouting a slogan—it’s about living out the love and truth of Christ. It’s about being a light in the darkness and standing for justice in a way that honors God’s heart. When faith is used as a weapon, it no longer resembles the gospel. Instead, it becomes a mirror of our own flaws, fears, and failures.

At the same time, we live in a free society where people have the right to believe what they want—even when those beliefs are harmful or completely false. But freedom doesn’t mean there’s no accountability. When someone uses the name of Jesus to justify violence or oppression, it’s our responsibility as believers to speak up, to stand in truth, and to show a better way.

This is a moment for reflection—for you, for me, and for anyone who calls themselves a follower of Christ. We need to ask ourselves the hard questions:

• Do our words and actions reflect the love, grace, and peace that Jesus stood for?
• Are we holding onto pride, power, or political allegiances more tightly than we are holding onto Jesus?
• Are we living in a way that draws people closer to God or pushes them further away?

If we want to see light in this world, it has to start with us. Let’s commit to being a people who live what we preach—who lead with love, seek peace, and embody grace. Because the world is watching, and what they see in us shapes how they see Him.

Let’s be the reflection of Christ’s love in a world that desperate needs it.