By David Ettinger

The Background
As Jesus and His disciples traveled to Jerusalem, they passed through Samaria. Jesus wanted to minister in a particular Samaritan village, “But they did not receive Him, because He was traveling toward Jerusalem” (Luke 9:53).
In response to this snub, we read that, “When His disciples James and John saw this, they said, ‘Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?’” (v. 54).
Interestingly, Jesus’ reaction to the Samaritans is not recorded, but His response to His disciples is: “But He turned and rebuked them, and said, ‘You do not know what kind of spirit you are of; for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them’” (vv. 55-56).
This is a sad commentary on James and John. Basically, their reaction to Jesus being rejected was to slaughter an entire village. Such a reaction is harsh, extreme, and hateful. Instead, the two brothers should have seen the Samaritans from Jesus’ point of view – as lost souls who needed salvation – and prayed for them.
Christian Fire-Breathers
Tragically, this account from almost 2,000 years ago speaks accurately to believers today. I am stunned when I “visit” the social media pages of Christians and see it filled with political content bashing the “other side.”

Whether providing their own material or reposting from another source, the venom being disgorged from the minds of believers is heinous. Much of the vitriol, of course, is directed at liberals, ex-President Trump-haters, and those who oppose what he stood for. The hateful passion directed at those on the “other side” is so intense I am convinced that if these believers could command fire to come down on them, they would do just that.
Interestingly, in my 60-plus times of reading through the Bible in the past 34 years, I’ve never read where God, or Jesus during His earthly ministry, ever commanded believers to argue politics, disdain those with different political views, or try to change the mind of those on the “other side.”
What Jesus does tell us is to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19), be His witnesses (Acts 1:8), “tell how much God has done for you” (Luke 8:39), and to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mark 16:15).
Wasted Opportunities
Social media provides us with a wonderful opportunity to do these things, but far too many Christians would rather command fire to come down on those who disagree with them rather than telling them about the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.

What in the world does winning political “converts” matter if they are not saved? Great, so you have shown them the error of their way and they are now on “our side” … and their souls are just as black as they have ever been.
I understand that commanding fire to come down on those who oppose us is an easier way to go in that it satisfies our baser natures, but this hardly fulfills our mandate to “Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples” (Psalm 96:3). I’d much rather be doing this than telling people who to vote for.
Also, I take seriously Jesus’ command to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). Besides, obeying this particular command helps calm the nerves and soothe the soul, not to mention that it’s what Jesus wants us to do.
To Christians who fill their social media pages with political content while eschewing opportunities to share the Gospel, is this really what you should be doing? Do you really think it’s right to “command fire to come down” on the other side?
I hope not. As for me, I’d rather save men’s lives than destroy them. Can we agree on this?
Tom
February 16, 2021
David, you are absolutely, 100%, spot-on with this post. Many believers are caught up in the temporal circumstances and totally ignore Christ’s command that they’re to be missional pilgrims and ambassadors in this world rather than deeply-rooted partisans. The hatred and violence propagated by some alleged believers here at WordPress and other social mediums is disgusting as are the hearty “Amens!” they receive from many.
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dettinger47
February 16, 2021
Thank you, Tom.
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Bruce Cooper
February 16, 2021
Excellent post David, I will repost it. Somewhere along the line we (and I say that collectively, meaning within a large percentage of the Church, including myself at times) have taken an off ramp from the straight and narrow path that we have been called to, with regard to pursuing the Great Commission that Jesus commanded us to focus on, and substituted the priority of adding disciples to the Kingdom of God, with secular worldly politics, which focuses on earthly power and position to achieve and enforce moralistic righteous goals. The only problem with that perspective is that hearts aren’t changed (both within and outside of the Church) because God’s Holy Spirit is also side lined and our reliance is deferred to what we can accomplish versus what God can accomplish in and through us as a holy and sanctified priesthood of believers. Rather than being sanctified as God’s holy and righteous people (behold, how they love one another) and I would add “others”, we have allowed ourselves to be indoctrinated with the fallacy that political might is right. The fact that neither Jesus or any of the Apostles followed this logic should be a warning to all of us. God’s righteousness is a byproduct of His internal dwelling within us, via His Holy Spirit, where our hearts and minds are renewed in and through the Holy Spirit of Christ. Bypassing that process is not optional but for many, we seem to think that it is. Idolatry can take many forms, including our dependency on national political leaders and even nationalism itself. Rather than committing ourselves to come under the Lordship of Jesus, and becoming more like Him, which is difficult because it demands of us, we have substituted this requirement by focusing on what we can accomplish via our own means. A nation changes when the heart of a nation changes, because of individual hearts being changed. Yet we continue to ignore that reality and follow the might is right mentality, just like the Pharisees did. We look with distain on the Liberals or the Left, just like the Samaritans were looked upon, figuring that because we are Conservatives or the Right, all that we do is blessed, missing that the greater goal is salvation for all and our example doesn’t aid that goal but actually hinders it. “But I say unto you” are not options, they are directives. If judgement starts at the House of God verses the unsaved, whose sins do you think are greater? We who say we know the Word of God should know better but we don’t. I sincerely thank you for writing this. Blessings!
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dettinger47
February 16, 2021
I absolutely agree on every point, Bruce. What really baffles me about Christians is that I think there is room to speak of politics, for instance, why most evangelicals supported Trump (because of what he stood for), and the kind of role politics plays in Christianity.
However, when civility and focus are lost, it goes totally off the rails. I am just beside myself when I read the Facebook pages of Christians I’ve known for decades and they wax ugly on politics and those on “the other side.”
Where is the Gospel? Where is any kind of grace and compassion — primarily the grace and compassion of telling the lost that they are lost, what that means for eternity, and how they can be saved from that eternity.
Regarding this comment, Bruce, I think it is subtle, succinct, and well-stated. I suppose it’s the editor in me, and I know you’ve written on these things before, but sometimes a “quick” little post like this can go a long way. It’s short, but says much, and people can really wrap their minds around it.
Perhaps you can put a few paragraph markers in it and post it as a short blog. (I know, there I go poking by nose into matters I shouldn’t.)
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Bruce Cooper
February 16, 2021
Hi David, your comment is encouraging and although you and I differ on the attributes of President Trump, which I can live with, I do agree with you that there is indeed a place for politics within Christianity. It is the excesses and oftentimes malice and hatred that is voiced, by some Christians that I find extremely disturbing. Like Tom mentioned, the ardent “Amens” which frequently follow these outbursts leaves me wondering which Bible these Christians are reading. I indicated that I would repost this article and I have done that and prayerfully the readership of your post and the accompanying comments will be expanded. A previous post of mine the other day pretty well correlates with this post of yours,so I will give the link here in the hope that others who did not previously view it, will have the opportunity to do so now: https://bcooper.wordpress.com/2021/02/14/commitment-to-christ/ It’s funny how when one has this awareness in mind, the whole narrative of the New Testament changes. And your post on calling down “fire from heaven” is a perfect example. Thank you again David, God’s grace, peace and blessings on you and yours.
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dettinger47
February 16, 2021
Much thanks, Bruce. When and if people comment on my post, when I reply to them, I’ll call their attention to your link.
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Bruce Cooper
February 16, 2021
Thank you, much appreciated!
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vicklea
February 16, 2021
I agree and God has convicted me of spreading rumors and trying to get others to hate. I have started new pages on SafeChat and MeWe and mostly post Scripture, although sometimes I do share news from The Epoch Times, conservative media. I have had to block so many on FB because of their rants against certain political figures. The language is appalling, even from my own sons whom I raised to know better. I cannot convict others, however. I have to deal with what God is saying to me. (I have pointed out that the language is totally inappropriate, to no avail.) Thank you for your post!
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dettinger47
February 16, 2021
Thanks for sharing this, Vickie. I know it’s not easy.
I’m doing well on secular social media. I have no problem posting political content, but I keep in subtle, don’t attack, and don’t get drawn in to nastiness. This helps me initiate good spiritual conversations with unbelievers.
By the way, my friend Bruce recently had a similar post, if you are interested, here is the link: https://bcooper.wordpress.com/2021/02/14/commitment-to-christ/
Thank you, Vickie!
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Tom
February 16, 2021
Hi Vickie. I saw your reference to “The Epoch Times” and I try to make people aware that the paper is published by the Falun Gong, a Chinese religious cult.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falun_Gong
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vicklea
February 16, 2021
Thank you for the info but their news is always from a conservative view.
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Linda Lee/Lady Quixote
February 16, 2021
Yes, we can agree on this.
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dettinger47
February 16, 2021
Thank you, Linda Lee.
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jarilissima
February 16, 2021
Agreed! 👏 Growing up, we were told “If you wouldn’t say it to someone’s face, don’t say it online,” and that should apply to Christians today.
If we wouldn’t look a Christian brother or sister in the eye and say angry stuff, then it’s obvious we shouldn’t say it online. And I think 99% of the angry stuff said online is never said face-to-face. Which is probably a good thing…
“I’d rather save men’s lives than destroy them.” Definitely agreed! 🙂
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dettinger47
February 16, 2021
I agree, Yari. Well said.
Perhaps even sadder is the fact that some of these Christians WOULD say some of these things to another Christian’s face, something that should never have been said in the first place!
By the way, Bruce recently posted a blog on a similar topic. If you haven’t read it yet, here’s the link: https://bcooper.wordpress.com/2021/02/14/commitment-to-christ/
Thanks, Yari. Excellent insight.
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jarilissima
February 16, 2021
I hadn’t seen that one yet, thanks for sharing 🙂 I’ll check it out now.
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Wise Hearted
February 16, 2021
God I love this message on several different levels. First, I deserved that fire but Jesus had mercy. Second I know of some who deserve it too but like me they deserve to have me act merciful. Third, there is a payday coming for us when believers and non believers will be tried in whom they have believed. for those of us who have believed, our works will be tried by fire, I want mine to come gold to lay at His feet. Good message.
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dettinger47
February 16, 2021
Extremely well said. Amen!
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heavensreef
February 16, 2021
A while ago on my FB page I only posted my blog posts. Maybe I didn’t get any more followers and didn’t care about the numbers either. I figured GOD would take care of it. The more we post GOD filled content the better……thanks for this reminder!!
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dettinger47
February 16, 2021
Amen, amen, and amen. That should be the number one goal of all believers on social media. Sadly, however, it isn’t. Thank you again, Maxine.
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SLIMJIM
February 18, 2021
Would love to see salvation than God judge of an individual!
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dettinger47
February 18, 2021
Amen, Jim.
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SLIMJIM
February 18, 2021
And amen!
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bigskybuckeye
February 18, 2021
David, in total agreement! Judgment is left to God. Christ teaches us to love one another without exception.
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dettinger47
February 18, 2021
Amen, and again, well said, Big Sky.
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dawnfanshawe
February 22, 2021
I agree
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dettinger47
February 16, 2021
Thank you for the reblog, Bruce.
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dettinger47
February 16, 2021
Thank you for the reblog.
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