Speaking Up Regardless Of the Cost
At the Alliance Defending Freedom 2024 Summit, I heard from individuals who have been unfairly persecuted, debanked, deplatformed, bullied and even threatened for living out Biblical values in a dark and fallen world.
Real stories of persecution
Victims of the anti-Christian culture shared their stories, highlighting the courage required to stand firm in their faith. Dr. Eithan Haim, a whistleblower facing prison time, and his wife, who also suffered as a result of his actions, exemplify this bravery. We’ve probably all heard the story of Jack Phillips, the baker who declined to bake a wedding cake for a same-sex marriage, who has faced numerous legal challenges over the past 12 years and still stands firm in his convictions.
Seth Dillon, CEO of the Christian satire news website The Babylon Bee, has been demonized, deplatformed and censored. Dillon said, “We have to stop caring what freedom will cost us.”
Similarly, Christian businessman and Tennessee Governor Bill Lee shared his reluctant but faithful decision to run for office, saying, “I am not dying to do it, it’s going to wreck my life, it’s something I should do.”
Your role in the battle
You might be thinking, “I just want to run my business; this doesn’t apply to me.” I challenge you to reconsider. We cannot change the world with silence. The Bible tells us to let our light shine, to be the light and salt of the world, and not to bury our treasure but to advance the Kingdom and be fishers of men.
Leading by example
We heard from great leaders making a difference in their respective spaces—from investors and incredible business leaders now running non-profits to enhance the world, to business owners using their companies to advance the Kingdom. For example, Nutramax Laboratories includes “Glorify God” in their core values and offers Bible studies and chaplaincy services to their more than 800 employees.
Taking a stand
The battlefield has moved into the corporate space and the enemy is speaking loudly.
Russian-American poet and essayist Joseph Brodsky said, “You Americans, you are so naïve. You think evil is going to come into your houses wearing big black boots. It doesn’t come like that. Look at the language. It begins in the language.”
What are your company’s policies saying? Are they advancing the Kingdom or maintaining the status quo?
If you’re unsure how to begin making a difference where you are, join us on Tuesday for a live webinar with Senior Legal Counsel Bob Pruitt from Alliance Defending Freedom. He will help debunk myths about what you can and cannot do to steward your business in a way that advances the Kingdom of God.
A call to action
Stop censoring yourself and start sharing what you stand for. It’s time to show courage under fire. We must put on the full armor of God and trust that he will protect us as we stand up and speak out as Christian leaders in the marketplace.
