I was recently asked about wearing a mask from a religious context. Here’s my response.
I get the whole religious question. What does God say about obeying laws? I know there’s a verse to obey the government, and many places to obey orders. I also know we are told to do what’s right even when it’s not easy or popular. Many “heroes” in the Bible are heroes because they refused to obey the “legitimate” government”… So, I always come back to: Hitler was the government. Should people have obeyed him? I come down on the “no” side.
All that is to say, just because the government says to do something, I’m not commanded to obey by the Bible. Just my thought.
So, past that…
“It’s justa…” How many times have I heard that in all these discussions?
It’s justa..mask, short-lockdown, stay home, vaccine, etc into (nearly) infinity. Far too often we’re convinced to follow the wrong choice because it’s “justa…”
So, I don’t think we’re commanded by God to do whatever the government says, nor is “it’s justa..” a reasonable justification for anything.
So, where does that leave me?
Well, is it a legitimate order? In my mind, no. Looking at the full picture, does it promote God or not?
Well, what do we know about the overall operation of those who have created these mask mandates? In general, they shut down churches, prevent funerals, and force people to die alone (considered one of the worst things throughout history). On the other hand, they leave open alcohol and abortion providers, and casinos. I come down that the person/entity issuing the order is not “right” in the sight of God. So everything is..at least suspect…
If you want to be religious about this, as the post started…We are called to oppose the wicked, those who are against God and God’s people.
I could go into how the orders, of which masks are a part, are detrimental… Separation of people who are designed by God to need social interaction, hiding faces which is necessary for good communication and often needed to tell truth from the lie (remember Clinton’s testimony?); an act of fear and we are not called to have a spirit of fear (I know others see the other side); and on, and on, and on. Not even touching whether masks are safe (another 1000 topics down that rabbit trail).
And I believe the mask is a symbol to keep us afraid. Continually reminding us, and everyone who sees us, to be afraid. It is a visible sign of submission to an earthly authority which, as I talked about before, is not of God in my discernment.
And it is a simple first step down what will be a much longer surrender of our rights and our will, not to God, but to earthly powers and principalities.
What should we do? Different people are called to different missions. Your choice is based on what you believe is right in God’s sight. Keep praying and if that message changes, then adjust your actions.
As for me, I will stand against this oncoming tyranny. Some of us are called to be watchmen, to scream into the night about the coming dangers. I believe that is my anointing from God.
So, opposition to these mandates is a hill I die on.
On the other hand, if I’m visiting someone and they want me to wear a mask… if I feel it is right to visit them, I will, to honor my fellow man.
But as an illegal, unGodly government mandate? No.
All that is said knowing I am not a Bible scholar. I’ve heard pastors come down on both sides of the mask debate. Just as the Bible has been used in the past for or against slavery, for or against homosexuality, for or against death-penalty and so many other topics. In the end, all I can do is follow my intuition which, I believe, is God speaking to me.
