Tagging-in the Name of Jesus
Thu, May 13, 2010
I was sitting in the bank parking lot today and tagged on the side of an adjacent vacant building was Jesus Saves. It wasn’t even creative or colorful. It was black paint with poor penmanship.
Isn’t tagging or graffiti about God on a public building an oxymoron of sorts? Doesn’t the bad cancel out the good? If someone believes that Jesus does indeed save enough to grab a can of spray paint to let the world know, shouldn’t they also know that they should not deface public property even in the name of Jesus? I’m thinking there maybe something sinful in the act.
God told the Israelites: “You shall not follow a multitude in doing evil …” (Exodus 23:2). Vandalism, even in the name of Jesus is evil, right? I’m thinking we should stop giving people yet another reason to mistrust followers of God.
If someone is bound and determined to make a statement in paint and on a public place, I say go for it, challenge authority, risk probation or jail time and paint cool graffiti or dynamic piece of art on the court house but maybe leave God out of it.
Tags: Graffiti, Jesus Saves, tagging
May 13th, 2010 at 7:18 am
I think this is a great point! We were having a conversation at my grandma’s the other day and someone was telling something that they heard someone say, ‘the Lord told them to do’. And it wasn’t exactly something that seemed very Christian at all. My mom was like, wow, you know God gets blamed for so many things, doesn’t He?! I think what you’re talking about is the same principle. We need to be careful not to mix carnality or sinful things with the gospel of Jesus so that those who are lost won’t just see it as a mockery. Great post!
Tyra´s last blog ..He Giveth and Taketh Away
May 13th, 2010 at 12:16 pm
Thanks Tyra.
May 13th, 2010 at 7:04 pm
Um yeah…I’m pretty sure Jesus isn’t all about breaking the law and using his name in the process…
Muthering Heights´s last blog ..A Fuzzy Moment
May 14th, 2010 at 3:47 am
I kind of disagree…
I get that it’s breaking the law, and yes, that’s wrong. But if you’re going to put grafitti on something, I’d rather see Jesus’ name than some gang sign.
Maybe the people who come back to put up a gang sign or whatever are the ones who need to hear that “Jesus saves.”
Sidnie´s last blog ..The best…
May 14th, 2010 at 10:16 am
Okay, Sidnie. Never thought about it that way.
My only worry is that those that do come back to put up the gang sign and see the Jesus Saves will think what so many people already think (yet are misinformed) that we are hypocrites and not worth trusting. I think people that don’t believe and are verbal about calling out Christians will use anything to make us look bad…twist our words and our intentions.