Cancel culture is not new. It has been an effective tool of Satan since the beginning of the local church. The first century church thrived in spite of it and we can today as well.
In recent years, we have seen liberal politicians ally with traditional media and big tech to silence anyone who doesn’t conform to their foolishness, lies, and hypocrisies. Google has been skewing internet search results for years. Social media companies like Twitter and Facebook shadow ban and sometimes remove voices that descend from accepted propaganda.
“News” organizations like CNN, MSNBC, The New York Times, and the Washington Post no longer hide their bias and publicly spin the news to support their allies and condemn their foes. YouTube, Vimeo, Amazon Web services, and other web service companies delete accounts that dare to share messages with which they disagree.
Censorship has always been a tactic of the enemy. He has used it effectively for over 2000 years. The Roman Catholic Church killed over 50 million people during the Dark Ages. Many of them were Christians who refused baptism by sprinkling and papal authority. Wycliffe and Tyndale were persecuted for the crime of working to make the Bible available to the common man. Paul Bunyan spent twelve years in the Bedford prison for refusing to accept a license from the government to preach God’s Word. He was released in 1672.
Communists and socialists have worked to silence the Gospel message from the inception of the devilish philosophies. Communism has been responsible for over 100 million deaths.
Satan cannot fight against the Word and Spirit of God. His only hope is to keep the masses blind and the Christians quiet.
Believers are already on the winning side. We know how the story ends! Yet, we are in a battle for souls and minds until we are called home to Glory. We can overcome the Devil through the blood of the Lamb, the word of our testimony, and the willingness to die for Christ.
Revelation 12:10–11
10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Satan has refined his methods to bully, berate, and beat down the opposition over thousands of years. Pervasive technology makes his goal even easier to obtain today.
Let’s investigate Acts chapters four and five to learn the five methods used by the Evil One’s minions to quiet or cancel the Christian message of God’s people and how to overcome them.
1. Intimidation
Through God’s power, the disciples worked a public miracle on a man that had been disabled for over 40 years. The entire town knew this man. God healed him, and everyone knew it. Rather than rejoice in the miracle themselves, Jewish leaders took steps to preserve their power by attempting to sweep the miracle under the rug.
Acts 4:13–16
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
14 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
16 Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.
The rulers knew that Peter and John could not have accomplished this miracle alone. These selfish rulers tried to intimidate them into silence. However, these disciples were stubborn fishermen turned preachers who would not be strong-armed. The rulers would have lied, denying the event ever occurred if possible. Still today, the enemies of God will lie to your face or tell you not to believe your eyes when anything contradicts their ungodly philosophies or practices. Neither could the rulers say anything against the miracle. They could not blame it on the Devil or give another lame excuse to steal God’s glory. They would have offered other reasons for the healing, but they knew the public would not be fooled.
If they can’t outright lie, evil men will attempt to spin the situation for their benefit. These self-centered rulers could not downplay nor deny this public miracle.
What was left for them to do? They must silence the preachers.
Acts 4:17
But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.
The rulers threatened the disciples with punishment to stop the name and work of Christ. The Devil and his minions are bullies. They will threaten and intimidate you into being silent. They will threaten to smear your name. They will threaten to take your job, ruin your reputation, take your money, put you in jail, and/or make your family suffer. These efforts are for a singular purpose – to keep the truth from spreading because they cannot answer nor defeat the truth.
Thankfully, these disciples would not be intimidated. They gave the answer that we must still give today!
Acts 4:18–20
18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
We must not be afraid of their threats.
Acts 4:29
And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
We can stand against the intimidation and threats of the wicked. God will give us courage and strength to stand in the evil day. Don’t back up. Never give in. We must stand our ground and speak God’s truth.
2. Castigation
Castigate means to punish severely.
After the disciples made their bold statement to stand for God regardless of threats, the rulers threatened the disciples further. The rulers wanted to punish them, but they really had no grounds. They hoped the threats would be enough to stop God’s people.
Acts 4:21
So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.
Satan cannot fight against the Word and Spirit of God. His only hope is to keep the masses blind and the Christians quiet.
If the wicked cannot intimidate you through threats, they will seek to make an example of someone to scare the others. All of us must speak up at the same time. If only a few speak up, the powers that be will crush the few. If many speak up, they will back off from their threats because they don’t have the manpower or resources to punish all of us.
Next, the rulers blame the disciples for problems they had caused.
Acts 5:27–29
27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,
28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.
29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
“Why are you causing all these problems? Why are you trying to put this man’s (Jesus) blood upon us?”, the rulers asked impudently. They had crucified Christ, that why! They had cried, “His blood be upon us, and on our children” in Matthew 27:25, but now they were acting innocent. The Devil and his crowd will always accuse you of what they are doing and blame you for what they have done.
Evil men will take your words out of context to smear you. They will change definitions of words and apply meanings that you did not intend to make you look guilty. The purpose of this deception is to move people against you even though you are innocent. The phrase “stirred up” is found five times in the book of Acts. Each time someone was stirring up the people against God’s people. (Acts 6:12; 13:50; 14:2; 17:13; 21:27)
If you are blameless in the matter, they will find someone to lie as a false witness. The enemies of God hired false witnesses against Jesus. They did it again to condemn Stephen, the first martyr. They will do the same against us if necessary.
Mark 14:55–57
55 And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none.
56 For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together.
57 And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying,
Acts 6:13
And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:
Public humiliation is one of Satan’s favorite punishments. Christ was publicly humiliated during His judgment and crucifixion. The disciples were publicly accused, condemned, and punished several times in the book of Acts. Today, Satan will use people in the community or online to do the same.
Matthew 27:28–32
28 And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.
29 And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!
30 And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.
31 And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.
32 And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.
Finally, the rulers were able to punish the disciples severely. Don’t just skip over the words “and beaten them.” They are profound words signifying much pain and suffering. The beating would have been public as part of their humiliation. Whether they were beaten with the Jewish rod or the Roman cat-of-nine- tails, the injuries would have been severe and the suffering extreme. Yet, they left rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer for Christ. May God give us the grace to have the same attitude in the moments of our suffering!
Acts 5:40–42
40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
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We are the hope of the world. If we don’t stand up now, someday soon it will be too late.
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We see the progression of cancel culture. First, they threaten. Then, they attempt to humiliate and punish.
3. Legislation
What allowed the rulers to go from threats to physical punishment in Acts chapter four? They made a law outlawing the preaching of the Gospel. Satan hates God’s laws, but he loves to enact and enforce laws to constrict the work of God. Evil men and tyrannical governments always use the law to punish the righteous as they break the same rules they expect others to live by.
Public Opinion
Remember that the rulers did not punish the disciples the first time because the people knew the healing of the lame man was a miracle. But what if the rulers could change public opinion? What if they could turn the people against the Christians? They did this by blaming the Christians for the problems in the city.
Nero did the same thing by blaming the Christians for the problems in Rome. This worked so well that eventually Romans would gather in the Colosseum cheering as Christians were torn apart by wild beasts. Also, he blamed believers for the fires that ripped through Rome. God’s people were the scapegoats for Nero’s failures.
Today
Today, Satan is working to change the average American’s opinion about a myriad of Biblical truths. He has taken over American education to spread his lies in the classrooms. The coup has effectively turned young Americans against God, His truths, and the traditions that made our nation great. In addition, the Evil One has taken over popular music and entertainment to spread filth and lies in citizens’ spare time. What is the result? Half of America seems to have bought into these lies! Some even believe that Christianity and religion is the greatest problem in the world.
The Devil uses an “If you …. then you ….” formula to discredit people. Otherwise sensible people are intimidated into silence for fear of being called nasty names. Consider the lies that are commonly accepted today.
- If you don’t agree with the feminist agenda, then you are a misogynist.
- If you are white, then you are an oppressive racist.
- If you don’t accept and promote sodomy, then you are homophobic.
- If you don’t let anyone who is confused about their gender abuse themselves with drugs and surgery, then you are transphobic.
- If you don’t want millions of people coming into the US illegally, then you are xenophobic.
- If you believe in the second amendment, then you want children to die in more school shootings.
Do you see how the game is played? Don’t fall for it! Speak the truth in love regardless of the names they call you.
Civil Laws
Eventually, civil laws are passed to outlaw righteousness. Then evil people can use civil authority to punish the righteous.
In the first encounter, the rulers could not punish the disciples, but they passed a civil law restricting future efforts to preach the Gospel.
Acts 4:18
And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
When the disciples didn’t stop preaching Christ, the rulers had the necessary cover to punish them publicly for the “crime” of preaching Christ.
Acts 5:40
And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
Today, laws are being considered that would outlaw the Bible as a hate book, prohibit any preaching against wicked sins like sodomy, and punish you for sharing your faith. Will we stand by and say nothing as these evil laws pass? I hope not. We have seen the justice system hijacked by lunatics in recent days. Prosecutors are not processing criminals for major crimes but are cracking down on those who have the wrong politics or morals. We must not remain silent.
4. Incarcerate
Satan’s next step in cancel culture is incarceration. Laws are created to outlaw righteousness and to use civil authority to punish God’s people. History is filled with examples of Christian men and women who went to jail for their faith.
Peter was imprisoned after James was killed. What was His crime? Preaching Jesus.
Acts 12:1–5
1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.
2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)
4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.
5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
Paul was imprisoned for winning a demon-possessed woman to Christ. His crime was depriving the businessmen who were using the woman to gain money. These connected men lied about Paul and stirred up the people against him. He was beaten and sent to prison. Sounds a lot like corporations today getting involved in culture promoting wickedness to make more money and condemn God’s people.
Acts 16:19–24
19 And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,
20 And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,
21 And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.
22 And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.
23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:
24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
Once unrighteous laws are passed, evil men can use civil authorities to punish Christians and restrict righteousness.
5. Decapitate
If none of the previous attempts are enough to stop the truth from being spread, the few righteous who are left standing will be killed. I don’t mean to alarm you. I am simply reminding you how Satan and his minions work. Christians have been killed for their faith since Acts chapter seven.
Acts 7:57–58
57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,
58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.”
Paul was beheaded by Nero, but he was ready to die. He wanted to finish his course faithfully.
2 Timothy 4:6–7
6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
Hebrews chapter eleven tells us of many who died for their faith. God delivers
some miraculously. God allows others to die with miraculous faith to remain faithful in the face of unthinkable suffering or painful death.
Hebrews 11:32–39
32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
Christians are dying for their faith around the world as Americans sit in relative comfort and security. Yet, we see the punishing hand of God upon our nation. As she turns further away from the Almighty, our country becomes more unstable, insecure, and dangerous. Unless God sends revival or returns in the Rapture, some American Christians alive today will probably be incarcerated and perhaps die for their faith. We must pray for the courage, grace, and strength to remain faithful no matter the cost.
Cancel culture is not new. It is one of Satan’s preferred tactics. We have outlined the intent of cancel culture. Intimidation, castigation, legislation, incarceration, and decapitation are the steps evil people are willing to take to silence God’s people.
What can we do? We must stand firm today. We cannot hide hoping that things get better. We must snuggle up close to Jesus, be filled with the Spirit, win as many souls as we can, and speak the truth in love to a sinful society. We are the hope of the world. If we don’t stand up now, someday soon, it will be too late.