Recently, I’d seen on social media how a street preacher protested against Kirk Franklin outside of his concert. He boldly rebuked Kirk saying that he did not represent God properly at the BET Awards. He accused Kirk of listening to preacher’s who were drunk with wine and refused to shake Kirk Franklin’s hand.
See the brief video below:
First, it’s always good to have a healthy discourse about the Word of God and God in general. This is the most important topic for man-kind. It was also good the street preacher bought up the wrath of God as people have only associated God with love within the broader culture. However, it was clear that the brother has got to be young in the Lord or his faith because he was not using wisdom nor interpreting the scriptures properly. He used for an example a scripture stating:
“The blood shall be up to the horses’ bridle.” – Revelations 14:20
This is a scripture that he suggested for Kirk to use on the Award show. What does that scripture mean? It seems to be of a unique context that most people may not be familiar with. It’s not wise to confuse people with passages of scripture that will require an enormous amount of explaining to get a simple point across.
The other scripture he misinterpreted is when he shared that Kirk had friends in the world, thus; he could not be a friend of God. That scripture does not mean that you literally cannot have an unsaved friend or associate. It is stating not to take on the spirit of the world which is clearly described as the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life. If we take on the spirit of the world; we cannot take on the spirit of Christ. They are opposite. The Bible is clear in John 17 that we are to be in the world and yet not of the world. There is a difference. Also, he bought up another scripture in John that says those that are born of Christ do not sin. Sinning means missing the mark, which is something that we all do including the street-preacher. The scripture in John is talking about intentional habitual sin. It is significant to having an unrepentant heart that is unwilling to change.
Secondly, he was very judgmental, which is a sure sign of a believer, who is young in the Lord. He accused Kirk Franklin of having a heart after money and fame instead of for God and people. How does he know what’s in Kirk Franklin’s heart? Because Kirk did his job, using his God-ordained gift to perform at the BET Awards. The Bible says we will know men by the fruit they bear. I have not seen any fruit that shows Kirk as the street preacher described him.
Instead, I’ve seen the opposite. Kirk seems to genuinely care about people. I met him only one time at a radio interview in Chicago. He had not had much sleep, but he insisted on listening to someone at the radio station who wanted a moment with him. He greeted all of us as if he had all the energy in the world, and even shared wise words of advice. If you ask me, I’d say he has a fathering spirit about him. He cares for many people that can benefit him in no way except for maybe buying his album(s).
Would the street preacher have preferred for Kirk to not have been at the Awards at all? That’s what would have happened had Kirk taken his advice in using the 3 minutes he was supposed to be performing to preach them a condemning sermon on how they all were going to hell. There would be no representation of light in darkness if the preacher’s advice was followed. Thus, it would be even more detrimental for the young kids that he spoke about who are influenced by entertainers who do not follow Christ.
It is far better to have artists like Kirk, Erica Campbell, and Johnathan McReynolds present to be a light and an example of what it means to follow Christ. This speaks louder than words of condemnation. This is a clear example of why the Bible says he that wins souls is wise. The street preacher is zealous without wisdom in this area. That’s why he isn’t called to a platform similar to that of Kirk for the time being.
However, I love Kirk’s response to the young brother. He responded with humility. People have commented on the look on Kirk’s face as if he was losing a battle with the young man, but Kirk is very sure on who he is and his calling in Christ. When you are sure on who you are and your calling in Christ; you don’t have to defend yourself. You can simply humble yourself and walk in love toward your accusers. He went the extra mile inviting the young man into conversation with himself, and his pastor Tony Evans afterward.
The young man, still immature in his walk with the Lord, stood firm on his zealous stance without proper knowledge. It was not a totally bad experience though. People who oppose others in such a way can keep others sharp as discipline, self-examination, and an aptitude to study the scriptures is often the result of dealing with such a person. Let’s keep the young man in prayer as he grows in his walk with the Lord. Let’s be thankful that he is in Christ. Let’s also continue to pray for some of our intercessors on the front-lines like Kirk Franklin that he will continue to stand firm in his submission to Christ and the gospel.
Leave a Reply