In recent years, Christians have discovered the sting of cancel culture. Ours has become a society exactly like the one Isaiah described in his day: A generation that calls evil good and good evil, which substitutes darkness for light and light for darkness, bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. If you’re a Bible-believing follower of Christ today, you could get canceled.
Cancel culture is a culture that says, “Yes, you have the right to free speech. But if you exercise that right, we’ll make sure you get fired, or slandered, or at the very least, marginalized.”
It’s essentially a culture of shame—brought to you by the internet, brought to you by social media, brought to you by all the technology we enjoy. And it’s a tool used by groups that find nearly anything offensive. If you don’t toe the line, if you don’t say what they think you should say, then you may be canceled.
Peter addressed this problem. “And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled. But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil” (1 Peter 3:13-17).
In other words, cancel culture is nothing new. It has been around since truth has been around. Every society that got a good dose of truth has tried to cancel that truth.
In verse 14, Paul said, “Do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” Remember what Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount, “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:11-12). So, always react calmly.
Resist the temptation to retaliate. In 1 Peter 3:8-12, we’re told not to return “evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing,” refrain our tongue from evil, and our lips from speaking deceit, etc. Don’t lash out at those who lash out at you. You can make a choice to do as Jesus said: “Love your enemies” (Matthew 5:44).
Reply clearly. “Always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you” (v. 15). Disagreement or offense doesn’t make the truth any less true. Explain the truth articulately, clearly, intelligently, and reasonably. When people ask, “Why do you believe that?” Be prepared to reply clearly. Know who you are in Christ. Be firmly aware that you belong to Him. You’re His child. You’re His representative in this world.
People are always deciding whether they will reject Christ or receive Him. It’s not about you or canceling you. They’re deciding if they should cancel God or not. Know what you believe, but also why you believe it. Think it through beforehand, because you have just a few moments to gain or lose an audience.
Respond humbly. Notice verse 15, which says to respond “with meekness and fear.” The New Living Translation says, “in a gentle and respectful way.” Speak the truth in love.
So the goal isn’t avoidance—it’s opening hearts to the One who cancels sin.
