September 15, 2025 • 26 mins
When tragedy strikes our politically divided nation, how should Christians respond? The assassination of Charlie Kirk has unleashed waves of grief, anger, conspiracy theories, and even celebration across America—revealing the dangerous ways political identity can overshadow our identity in Christ.
This episode carefully examines what we know about Kirk's death while addressing a profound theological question: Is Charlie Kirk truly a Christian martyr? By exploring the biblical definition of martyrdom and comparing it to modern political activism, we uncover important distinctions between dying for faith versus dying for politics. The answer requires nuance, humility, and careful examination of what scripture actually teaches about witnessing unto death.
Beyond the question of martyrdom, this episode provides spiritual guidance for navigating cultural crises with a Christ-centered perspective. Instead of being consumed by outrage or fear, believers are called to five kingdom mindsets: placing Christ's kingdom first, speaking truth in love, practicing courageous humility, maintaining eternal perspective, and recognizing spiritual warfare. These principles help Christians rise above partisan reactions to embrace a response that honors God in divisive times.
The path forward isn't about choosing political sides but remembering our primary allegiance to Christ. Through prayer, discernment, and compassionate action, we can demonstrate a different way—one that doesn't compromise truth but delivers it with grace and love. As Jesus taught us, even in times of violence and confusion, we're called to be peacemakers and witnesses to a kingdom that transcends our temporary political divides.
Still Standing: Living After the Silence, the Storm, and the Shattered Heart is the powerful second book in the Standing Series. Building on the best-selling Struggle to Standing, this new release guides you through life after heartbreak with hope, healing, and faith. Now available on Amazon in paperback, hardcover.
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SEE YA!
Rick
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Rick Yuhas (00:08):
Hey, welcome to Renewed Mindsets.
I'm Rick and I'm so glad you'rehere Now.
Today, this is going to bedifferent.
I recorded it with a heavyheart.
This week the news broke thatCharlie Kirk was assassinated,
speaking truth at Utah ValleyUniversity.
Now I know a lot of us arehurting, confused and angry.
(00:31):
Some of you are afraid.
We see people celebrating,people gloating, people using
this as fuel for culture warfare.
We see media flooding withconspiracy, rumors and false
claims.
But we are Christians bornagain, followers of Christ.
(00:54):
We're not called merely toreact as the world reacts, not
to be driven by fear or rage,but to discern what is true, to
stand in love and to walk intruth.
Now I believe what God wantsfrom us in times like this is a
(01:14):
renewed mindset, a mind shapedby Christ, not by outrage, not
by political identity first, butby the gospel.
And we need to ask is CharlieKirk a martyr and how do we move
forward in this as people whofollow Jesus?
(01:35):
This is a little odd for Renmindsets because I don't think
I've ever recorded somethingbased upon what happened in the
news, any current events.
I mean, I've talked aboutholidays, but they roll around
(01:56):
every year, so this is going tobe a little different than what
you're normally used to, butlet's revisit what we do know
right now.
Okay, on September 10th 2025,charlie Kirk was shot while
speaking at a Turning Point USAevent the American Comeback Tour
at Utah Valley University.
The shooter fired from arooftop of Lucy Center, 142 to
(02:23):
200 yards away.
Now that's from the media, wedon't know exactly.
He used a high-poweredbolt-action rifle.
There was approximately 300people at the event.
Private security was present,there was local university
police as well, and security hasbeen criticized for being lax
(02:45):
in some of those respects.
Now Tyler Robinson, 22, isconsidered the suspect.
He allegedly confessed orimplied involvement to a family
member, which led the familymember to contact authorities,
authorities.
Now, alongside this, there'sbeen brisk spread of information
(03:07):
, misinformation,misidentifications, false
accusations, allegations aboutparty affiliations, even
conspiracy theories thatimplicate foreign governments.
So this is what we know as ofnow.
We do not yet have full clarityon motive, on whether Christian
(03:31):
faith was the direct reason, orif politics alone, or ideology
or something else, and thatmatters deeply for how we think
biblically about martyrdom,because people are saying that
Charlie Kirk is a martyr.
(03:51):
So before we answer if he was amartyr, we need to clarify what
martyr means.
The word martyr in Scripturecomes from the Greek martis,
which means witness.
It's somebody who testifies toChrist, even unto death.
Now, usually this has meantdeath because of faith in Christ
(04:15):
or refusal to deny Christ orbecause of their witness to the
gospel.
Now we've got examples of truemartyrs in the Word of God.
Stephen in Acts 7 was stonedbecause he preached Christ.
James, the brother of John.
He was executed.
(04:36):
And others, the apostles,persecuted Christians in the
early church.
Those who are killed for beingChristians, persecuted
Christians in the early church.
Those who are killed for beingChristians.
Now in the Old Testament it hasexamples of faithful witnesses
who suffered or died for God,prophets who were persecuted.
(04:56):
Now also the New Testamentteaches that believers are going
to suffer for righteousness'sake.
Jesus in the Sermon on theMount.
Blessed are those who arepersecuted for righteousness'
sake, for theirs is the kingdomof heaven.
That's Matthew 5.10.
And John 15.20,.
If they persecuted me, theywill also persecute you.
(05:17):
Now these sufferings mightinclude slander or loss or
imprisonment and sometimes death.
But a political assassination isnot automatically martyrdom.
The motive matters.
If somebody is killed becauseof their political speech, is
that the same as being killedfor faith.
(05:39):
Now it might overlap, but itmight not.
Also, christian martyrdomusually carries the notion that
the person's witness for Christor their refusal to deny Christ
was central to their death, thatthe persecutor hated them for
Christ or for carrying outChristian witness.
(06:03):
Sometimes politics and faith areintertwined, sometimes they're
distinct.
So now we can consider whetherwe can consider Charlie Kirk a
martyr.
Now it's possible to see thisin a partial sense, or at least
think it through carefully.
We need to acknowledge bothwhat we do know and what we
don't know.
Okay, first, what we know isthat Charlie Kirk was a
(06:27):
professed Christian.
He identified as an evangelicalChristian.
That was part of his publicpersona.
He aligned some of his activismwith Christian worldview values
.
This matters.
Okay.
Now, his faith and his politicsintertwined in a lot of the
contexts.
(06:47):
A lot of his political stanceswere rooted in moral convictions
which for many Christians areinseparable from faith, like the
sanctity of life, religiousfreedom, free speech, morality,
pornography.
A lot of Christian activistsare not only political but
(07:07):
they're spiritual.
And he died speaking, speakingin public, addressing an
audience.
Now that public witness mightinclude convictions, he could be
seen as exercising his duty tospeak truth regardless of cost
(07:28):
If somebody dies while doingthat, that has parallels to a
testimony, but the complicationsare many Because there's some
arguments against calling him amartyr or at least exercising
caution.
(07:48):
The motive for his murder is notclearly faith-based.
We don't have any evidence thatthe shooter acted because
Charlie Kirk was an evangelicalChristian or, most importantly,
because of his faith in Christor because he refused to deny
Christ.
The motive seems moreideological or political.
(08:12):
The motive seems moreideological or political.
Unless you have evidence thekiller hated him for his faith,
it's hard to say he died forChrist.
Now, political activism is notthe same as preaching the gospel
.
There's a difference betweenadvocating conservative politics
, even if it's driven by moralconviction, and proclaiming
(08:34):
Christ, making disciples ordoing the work of the gospel in
a way that invites persecution,primarily for Christ.
The many political activistsdon't primarily preach Christ or
call people into relationshipwith him.
That difference matters in theidea of martyrdom.
And then there's just a lot ofunknowns.
(08:56):
We don't know whether hispublic ministry was explicitly
gospel-centered in such a waythat his Christian faith was the
central cause of his death.
Now a lot of people are goingto argue yes and others are
going to argue no.
But until more evidence comesup, like the shooter's motive or
(09:18):
his statements, calling him afull martyr in the classic
biblical sense may be premature.
So my conclusion, my conclusion, is Charlie Kirk can't yet be
ambiguously declared a biblicalmartyr in the sense of someone
killed for Christ.
(09:38):
He may be in many people's eyesand he might function as a
martyr for free speech, forconservative values, for
political activism.
He might be somebody whosedeath, in light of his Christian
faith, inspires many.
But in biblical theology,martyrdom is narrower than that.
(10:01):
His faith, christ gospel.
It's got to be central to whatcaused the killing.
It's got to be central to whatcaused the killing.
So now, regardless of whetherwe label him as a martyr,
christians need to face,christians must face what the
(10:23):
scriptures teach about suffering, about witness, about
persecution, because Christwarned us that following him
would cost us things.
Now here's some key texts fromthe Bible Matthew, chapter 5,
verses 10-12.
Blessed are those who arepersecuted for righteousness'
(10:44):
sake.
John 15, 18-21.
If the world hates you, knowthat it hated me first, because
you are not of the world.
Romans 8, 35-39.
Nothing can separate us fromthe love of Christ, including
death.
2 Timothy 3, 12,.
All who desire to live a godlylife in Jesus Christ will be
persecuted.
(11:04):
1 Peter 3, 13-17,.
Suffering for doing good iscommendable.
Always be prepared to make adefense, but do so with
gentleness and respect.
Now, these passages help usshape our mindset.
They do not promise comfort inthe form of absence of suffering
(11:27):
, but they do promise that Godis with us, that our suffering
is not wasted, that God sees andultimately, justice and
vindication belong to him.
Now this is all still freshRight now, in this moment.
There are so many differentvoices out there.
(11:47):
Some are loud, many reactionsare visceral, but the scripture
warns us against certainresponses.
Romans 12, 19.
Beloved, never avengeyourselves, but leave it to the
wrath of God.
For it is written vengeance ismine, I will repay, says the
(12:09):
Lord.
Then we got Ephesians 4.29.
Let no corrupting talk come outof your mouths, but only such
is good for building up.
Even when we're angry orgrieving, we must guard our
tongues.
Romans 12.15.
(12:31):
Rejoice with those who rejoice.
Weep with those who weep.
Yeah, celebration over deathpeople.
If somebody dies, even a personthat we have major
disagreements with, we must weep.
This is opportunity for us forrepentance and redemption.
(12:55):
There's opportunity forrepentance and redemption with
the people that you're cryingand weeping with.
Now.
When political identity becomesour primary identity, we risk
losing the way of Christ.
The world is going to polarizeus, but our primary loyalty must
(13:16):
be of Christ.
The world is going to polarizeus, but our primary loyalty must
be to Christ.
We can't be idols to a party.
The ideology of these partiesand my pastor says it best
they're.
Both of these parties are wingsof the same bird.
I'm not going to go into detailon that, just think about it In
(13:41):
Proverbs 18, 13 and Ephesians 4, 25,.
We must ensure truthfulness,investigations, evidence.
We don't need to be spreadinglies and rumors Now.
Here's how I believe that trueborn-again Christians should
(14:02):
move forward.
We need to allow ourselves tomourn.
The killing of any person isgrievous, the weeping with the
family, mourning for what's beenlost.
He was a father, he was ahusband, he was a son.
(14:23):
We should have grief over that.
We should have compassionbecause of that.
We should have empathy for eventhose people who disagree with
Charlie.
Like we're best buds.
Christ calls us to love even ourenemies.
(14:44):
We need to pray for fullinvestigation, for transparency,
that the motive can beuncovered and that justice can
be served.
And we need to speak truthwhere you see false narrative or
harmful lies, if you feel theneed to speak out, you need to
(15:05):
correct the misinformation inhumility, with gentleness.
We need to avoid demonizingbroad groups.
Not everybody who opposedKirk's policies are celebrating
his murder.
Not everybody who disagrees areenemies.
(15:28):
Not everybody who disagrees areenemies.
We need to speak withconviction, but also love.
We need to edify.
Don't let your anger turn intosin.
(15:51):
Now, even among Christians whodiffer politically, we have to
stay united in Christ.
Truth doesn't require disunitywhen handled in love, and we
need to resist the us versusthem spirit.
We need to resist lettingpolitical identity be the first
(16:11):
thing that people see.
We have to let this sharpen us.
We're in the end times people.
Let it awaken a seriouscommitment to us to live for
what Christ called us to truth,holiness and courage.
Holiness and courage.
And we need to be ready forhardship.
We need to be ready forpersecution of different kinds.
(16:36):
We need to use this as areminder that the battle is not
against flesh and blood.
It's not.
We need to put our hope in Godand not despair, because in
Christ, death is not the final.
It's not.
The gospel gives us hope beyondthe grave, even when evil seems
(17:00):
to triumph.
God works all things togetherfor those who love him.
Romans 8.28.
We need to let this tragedydraw some hearts towards him.
Now, what does God want ourmindset to be in this cultural
moment, especially if the timesahead are going to be difficult?
(17:22):
Well, the first mindset kingdomfirst.
Our loyalty is to Christ'skingdom.
It's above political, abovecultural, above racial, above
economic identities.
Kingdom first.
The second mindset truth inlove.
(17:43):
Not truth at all costs in a waythat destroys relationships or
reflects pride, but truth spokenwith humility and gentleness
and compassion.
Our third mindset courageoushumility.
Courage to stand up for what'sright.
(18:05):
Humility to say I don't knowenough, I may have been wrong, I
need correction.
The fourth mindset what mattersultimately is eternity.
We need to have an eternalperspective.
What we do now, how we respond,it's going to echo beyond this
(18:30):
life.
And the fifth mindset spiritualwarfare, awareness.
We are living in times when theenemy wants to divide us, to
incite hate, to draw Christiansaway from Christ-likeness
through fear and accusation andrage.
(18:52):
We need to be alert, we need topray and we need to resist
divisiveness.
So here are some things thatyou might need to ask God to do
in you this week and things youmight actually do.
We need to take time in prayerand solitude.
We need to confess anybitterness, any anger, desire
(19:15):
for revenge.
Ask God for peace, ask him forclarity, ask him for love.
We need to listen.
Most of the time, what we'reseeing or the information we're
getting is not from talking.
It's from reading.
Admit it, everything you knowabout this.
(19:38):
You saw on social media, right,how many of us actually watch
the news.
But we need to listen.
We need to listen to those whoare hurting, including those
with different political views.
We need to try to understand,to empathize with them.
(19:59):
Use your voice wisely whenspeaking on social media with
friends and family.
Friends and family.
Think before posting.
God, I have been bitten so manytimes.
Is this what you write, goingto build up or tear down?
(20:23):
Is it true or is it you justtrying to get a jab in?
We need to act justly.
We need to support bodies ofaccountability.
We need to support the legalprocess.
We need to supporttruth-seeking.
We need to worship.
We need to lean into theworship of God.
He is our theological anchor.
Not Republicans, not Democrats.
(20:47):
Yeah, we need to serve.
Help your community, care forthose that are affected.
Let love be seen in what you do.
So is Charlie Kirk a martyr Now?
(21:14):
My heart says maybe in part,but we have to be humble and
truthful enough to recognizethat the Bible's definition
demands more clarity than we nowhave Now.
Whether or not we call him amartyr, his death is tragic.
His influence was real and hisfaith it was publicly professed.
We can honor what was good, wecan call out what's wrong, we
(21:36):
can learn what's needed and letGod refine us.
Now just take heart, people.
Christ is alive.
Though violence and injusticeand evil happen, they don't have
the last word.
We need to walk in love.
Let us not be consumed withhate.
(21:59):
Let us be peacemakers where wecan and witnesses always.
Let's let this moment renew ourmindset so that we're shaped
more fully into the likeness ofJesus, lovers of truth, men and
women of prayer, people whostand when others fall, who
(22:20):
bless when others curse, whospeak when others fear.
Let's pray, heavenly Father.
Our hearts are heavy.
Today we lift up family andfriends of Charlie Kirk and
everyone shaken by this tragedy.
Comfort them in their grief,bring healing where there's pain
(22:43):
and clarity where there'sconfusion.
Lord God, we confess our ownanger and fear and frustration.
Guard our hearts from hatredand despair.
Teach us to respond with theSpirit of Christ, full of grace
and truth.
Father, help us discern what istrue in a world of rumor and
(23:06):
division.
What is true in a world ofrumor and division.
Protect your church from beingtorn apart by politics or pride.
Unite us around the gospel.
Make us peacemakers in aculture of outrage and witness
of your love in a time ofhostility.
Strengthen us to stand forrighteousness even when it costs
(23:27):
us.
Fill us with courage to speaktruth and humility to serve
those who oppose us.
Keep our eyes fixed on Jesus,the author and the perfecter of
our faith, who endured the crossand despised the shame.
We place our hope not inleaders or movements, but in you
(23:48):
, father, our eternal King.
May your kingdom come out andyour will be done on earth as it
is in heaven.
In the name of Jesus Christ, wepray Amen.
The executive producer ofRenewed Mindsets is Christy
McCurry.
(24:09):
The executive producer ofRenewed Mindsets is Christy
McCurry.
That's all for today, but I'llbe back with more unfiltered
biblical truth and undeniableprophecy.
The time to wake up is now.
If today's episode challengedyou, don't keep it to yourself.
Tell someone please.
Text them a link.
Share the truth while there'sstill time.
(24:30):
Visit renewedmindsetscom tostay connected and to listen to
past episodes and check out ourmerch at renewedmindsetsstore.
Jesus is coming soon.
Stay watchful, stay holy, stayrenewed.
Until next week.
(24:58):
I'm Rick, be an encourager, nota discourager.
I love you, see ya.
Hey, welcome to Renewed Mindsets.
I'm Rick and I'm so glad you'rehere Now.
Today, this is going to bedifferent.
I recorded it with a heavyheart.
This week the news broke thatCharlie Kirk was assassinated,
speaking truth at Utah ValleyUniversity.
Now I know a lot of us arehurting, confused and angry.
(00:31):
Some of you are afraid.
We see people celebrating,people gloating, people using
this as fuel for culture warfare.
We see media flooding withconspiracy, rumors and false
claims.
But we are Christians bornagain, followers of Christ.
(00:54):
We're not called merely toreact as the world reacts, not
to be driven by fear or rage,but to discern what is true, to
stand in love and to walk intruth.
Now I believe what God wantsfrom us in times like this is a
(01:14):
renewed mindset, a mind shapedby Christ, not by outrage, not
by political identity first, butby the gospel.
And we need to ask is CharlieKirk a martyr and how do we move
forward in this as people whofollow Jesus?
(01:35):
This is a little odd for Renmindsets because I don't think
I've ever recorded somethingbased upon what happened in the
news, any current events.
I mean, I've talked aboutholidays, but they roll around
(01:56):
every year, so this is going tobe a little different than what
you're normally used to, butlet's revisit what we do know
right now.
Okay, on September 10th 2025,charlie Kirk was shot while
speaking at a Turning Point USAevent the American Comeback Tour
at Utah Valley University.
The shooter fired from arooftop of Lucy Center, 142 to
(02:23):
200 yards away.
Now that's from the media, wedon't know exactly.
He used a high-poweredbolt-action rifle.
There was approximately 300people at the event.
Private security was present,there was local university
police as well, and security hasbeen criticized for being lax
(02:45):
in some of those respects.
Now Tyler Robinson, 22, isconsidered the suspect.
He allegedly confessed orimplied involvement to a family
member, which led the familymember to contact authorities,
authorities.
Now, alongside this, there'sbeen brisk spread of information
(03:07):
, misinformation,misidentifications, false
accusations, allegations aboutparty affiliations, even
conspiracy theories thatimplicate foreign governments.
So this is what we know as ofnow.
We do not yet have full clarityon motive, on whether Christian
(03:31):
faith was the direct reason, orif politics alone, or ideology
or something else, and thatmatters deeply for how we think
biblically about martyrdom,because people are saying that
Charlie Kirk is a martyr.
(03:51):
So before we answer if he was amartyr, we need to clarify what
martyr means.
The word martyr in Scripturecomes from the Greek martis,
which means witness.
It's somebody who testifies toChrist, even unto death.
Now, usually this has meantdeath because of faith in Christ
(04:15):
or refusal to deny Christ orbecause of their witness to the
gospel.
Now we've got examples of truemartyrs in the Word of God.
Stephen in Acts 7 was stonedbecause he preached Christ.
James, the brother of John.
He was executed.
(04:36):
And others, the apostles,persecuted Christians in the
early church.
Those who are killed for beingChristians, persecuted
Christians in the early church.
Those who are killed for beingChristians.
Now in the Old Testament it hasexamples of faithful witnesses
who suffered or died for God,prophets who were persecuted.
(04:56):
Now also the New Testamentteaches that believers are going
to suffer for righteousness'sake.
Jesus in the Sermon on theMount.
Blessed are those who arepersecuted for righteousness'
sake, for theirs is the kingdomof heaven.
That's Matthew 5.10.
And John 15.20,.
If they persecuted me, theywill also persecute you.
(05:17):
Now these sufferings mightinclude slander or loss or
imprisonment and sometimes death.
But a political assassination isnot automatically martyrdom.
The motive matters.
If somebody is killed becauseof their political speech, is
that the same as being killedfor faith.
(05:39):
Now it might overlap, but itmight not.
Also, christian martyrdomusually carries the notion that
the person's witness for Christor their refusal to deny Christ
was central to their death, thatthe persecutor hated them for
Christ or for carrying outChristian witness.
(06:03):
Sometimes politics and faith areintertwined, sometimes they're
distinct.
So now we can consider whetherwe can consider Charlie Kirk a
martyr.
Now it's possible to see thisin a partial sense, or at least
think it through carefully.
We need to acknowledge bothwhat we do know and what we
don't know.
Okay, first, what we know isthat Charlie Kirk was a
(06:27):
professed Christian.
He identified as an evangelicalChristian.
That was part of his publicpersona.
He aligned some of his activismwith Christian worldview values
.
This matters.
Okay.
Now, his faith and his politicsintertwined in a lot of the
contexts.
(06:47):
A lot of his political stanceswere rooted in moral convictions
which for many Christians areinseparable from faith, like the
sanctity of life, religiousfreedom, free speech, morality,
pornography.
A lot of Christian activistsare not only political but
(07:07):
they're spiritual.
And he died speaking, speakingin public, addressing an
audience.
Now that public witness mightinclude convictions, he could be
seen as exercising his duty tospeak truth regardless of cost
(07:28):
If somebody dies while doingthat, that has parallels to a
testimony, but the complicationsare many Because there's some
arguments against calling him amartyr or at least exercising
caution.
(07:48):
The motive for his murder is notclearly faith-based.
We don't have any evidence thatthe shooter acted because
Charlie Kirk was an evangelicalChristian or, most importantly,
because of his faith in Christor because he refused to deny
Christ.
The motive seems moreideological or political.
(08:12):
The motive seems moreideological or political.
Unless you have evidence thekiller hated him for his faith,
it's hard to say he died forChrist.
Now, political activism is notthe same as preaching the gospel
.
There's a difference betweenadvocating conservative politics
, even if it's driven by moralconviction, and proclaiming
(08:34):
Christ, making disciples ordoing the work of the gospel in
a way that invites persecution,primarily for Christ.
The many political activistsdon't primarily preach Christ or
call people into relationshipwith him.
That difference matters in theidea of martyrdom.
And then there's just a lot ofunknowns.
(08:56):
We don't know whether hispublic ministry was explicitly
gospel-centered in such a waythat his Christian faith was the
central cause of his death.
Now a lot of people are goingto argue yes and others are
going to argue no.
But until more evidence comesup, like the shooter's motive or
(09:18):
his statements, calling him afull martyr in the classic
biblical sense may be premature.
So my conclusion, my conclusion, is Charlie Kirk can't yet be
ambiguously declared a biblicalmartyr in the sense of someone
killed for Christ.
(09:38):
He may be in many people's eyesand he might function as a
martyr for free speech, forconservative values, for
political activism.
He might be somebody whosedeath, in light of his Christian
faith, inspires many.
But in biblical theology,martyrdom is narrower than that.
(10:01):
His faith, christ gospel.
It's got to be central to whatcaused the killing.
It's got to be central to whatcaused the killing.
So now, regardless of whetherwe label him as a martyr,
christians need to face,christians must face what the
(10:23):
scriptures teach about suffering, about witness, about
persecution, because Christwarned us that following him
would cost us things.
Now here's some key texts fromthe Bible Matthew, chapter 5,
verses 10-12.
Blessed are those who arepersecuted for righteousness'
(10:44):
sake.
John 15, 18-21.
If the world hates you, knowthat it hated me first, because
you are not of the world.
Romans 8, 35-39.
Nothing can separate us fromthe love of Christ, including
death.
2 Timothy 3, 12,.
All who desire to live a godlylife in Jesus Christ will be
persecuted.
(11:04):
1 Peter 3, 13-17,.
Suffering for doing good iscommendable.
Always be prepared to make adefense, but do so with
gentleness and respect.
Now, these passages help usshape our mindset.
They do not promise comfort inthe form of absence of suffering
(11:27):
, but they do promise that Godis with us, that our suffering
is not wasted, that God sees andultimately, justice and
vindication belong to him.
Now this is all still freshRight now, in this moment.
There are so many differentvoices out there.
(11:47):
Some are loud, many reactionsare visceral, but the scripture
warns us against certainresponses.
Romans 12, 19.
Beloved, never avengeyourselves, but leave it to the
wrath of God.
For it is written vengeance ismine, I will repay, says the
(12:09):
Lord.
Then we got Ephesians 4.29.
Let no corrupting talk come outof your mouths, but only such
is good for building up.
Even when we're angry orgrieving, we must guard our
tongues.
Romans 12.15.
(12:31):
Rejoice with those who rejoice.
Weep with those who weep.
Yeah, celebration over deathpeople.
If somebody dies, even a personthat we have major
disagreements with, we must weep.
This is opportunity for us forrepentance and redemption.
(12:55):
There's opportunity forrepentance and redemption with
the people that you're cryingand weeping with.
Now.
When political identity becomesour primary identity, we risk
losing the way of Christ.
The world is going to polarizeus, but our primary loyalty must
(13:16):
be of Christ.
The world is going to polarizeus, but our primary loyalty must
be to Christ.
We can't be idols to a party.
The ideology of these partiesand my pastor says it best
they're.
Both of these parties are wingsof the same bird.
I'm not going to go into detailon that, just think about it In
(13:41):
Proverbs 18, 13 and Ephesians 4, 25,.
We must ensure truthfulness,investigations, evidence.
We don't need to be spreadinglies and rumors Now.
Here's how I believe that trueborn-again Christians should
(14:02):
move forward.
We need to allow ourselves tomourn.
The killing of any person isgrievous, the weeping with the
family, mourning for what's beenlost.
He was a father, he was ahusband, he was a son.
(14:23):
We should have grief over that.
We should have compassionbecause of that.
We should have empathy for eventhose people who disagree with
Charlie.
Like we're best buds.
Christ calls us to love even ourenemies.
(14:44):
We need to pray for fullinvestigation, for transparency,
that the motive can beuncovered and that justice can
be served.
And we need to speak truthwhere you see false narrative or
harmful lies, if you feel theneed to speak out, you need to
(15:05):
correct the misinformation inhumility, with gentleness.
We need to avoid demonizingbroad groups.
Not everybody who opposedKirk's policies are celebrating
his murder.
Not everybody who disagrees areenemies.
(15:28):
Not everybody who disagrees areenemies.
We need to speak withconviction, but also love.
We need to edify.
Don't let your anger turn intosin.
(15:51):
Now, even among Christians whodiffer politically, we have to
stay united in Christ.
Truth doesn't require disunitywhen handled in love, and we
need to resist the us versusthem spirit.
We need to resist lettingpolitical identity be the first
(16:11):
thing that people see.
We have to let this sharpen us.
We're in the end times people.
Let it awaken a seriouscommitment to us to live for
what Christ called us to truth,holiness and courage.
Holiness and courage.
And we need to be ready forhardship.
We need to be ready forpersecution of different kinds.
(16:36):
We need to use this as areminder that the battle is not
against flesh and blood.
It's not.
We need to put our hope in Godand not despair, because in
Christ, death is not the final.
It's not.
The gospel gives us hope beyondthe grave, even when evil seems
(17:00):
to triumph.
God works all things togetherfor those who love him.
Romans 8.28.
We need to let this tragedydraw some hearts towards him.
Now, what does God want ourmindset to be in this cultural
moment, especially if the timesahead are going to be difficult?
(17:22):
Well, the first mindset kingdomfirst.
Our loyalty is to Christ'skingdom.
It's above political, abovecultural, above racial, above
economic identities.
Kingdom first.
The second mindset truth inlove.
(17:43):
Not truth at all costs in a waythat destroys relationships or
reflects pride, but truth spokenwith humility and gentleness
and compassion.
Our third mindset courageoushumility.
Courage to stand up for what'sright.
(18:05):
Humility to say I don't knowenough, I may have been wrong, I
need correction.
The fourth mindset what mattersultimately is eternity.
We need to have an eternalperspective.
What we do now, how we respond,it's going to echo beyond this
(18:30):
life.
And the fifth mindset spiritualwarfare, awareness.
We are living in times when theenemy wants to divide us, to
incite hate, to draw Christiansaway from Christ-likeness
through fear and accusation andrage.
(18:52):
We need to be alert, we need topray and we need to resist
divisiveness.
So here are some things thatyou might need to ask God to do
in you this week and things youmight actually do.
We need to take time in prayerand solitude.
We need to confess anybitterness, any anger, desire
(19:15):
for revenge.
Ask God for peace, ask him forclarity, ask him for love.
We need to listen.
Most of the time, what we'reseeing or the information we're
getting is not from talking.
It's from reading.
Admit it, everything you knowabout this.
(19:38):
You saw on social media, right,how many of us actually watch
the news.
But we need to listen.
We need to listen to those whoare hurting, including those
with different political views.
We need to try to understand,to empathize with them.
(19:59):
Use your voice wisely whenspeaking on social media with
friends and family.
Friends and family.
Think before posting.
God, I have been bitten so manytimes.
Is this what you write, goingto build up or tear down?
(20:23):
Is it true or is it you justtrying to get a jab in?
We need to act justly.
We need to support bodies ofaccountability.
We need to support the legalprocess.
We need to supporttruth-seeking.
We need to worship.
We need to lean into theworship of God.
He is our theological anchor.
Not Republicans, not Democrats.
(20:47):
Yeah, we need to serve.
Help your community, care forthose that are affected.
Let love be seen in what you do.
So is Charlie Kirk a martyr Now?
(21:14):
My heart says maybe in part,but we have to be humble and
truthful enough to recognizethat the Bible's definition
demands more clarity than we nowhave Now.
Whether or not we call him amartyr, his death is tragic.
His influence was real and hisfaith it was publicly professed.
We can honor what was good, wecan call out what's wrong, we
(21:36):
can learn what's needed and letGod refine us.
Now just take heart, people.
Christ is alive.
Though violence and injusticeand evil happen, they don't have
the last word.
We need to walk in love.
Let us not be consumed withhate.
(21:59):
Let us be peacemakers where wecan and witnesses always.
Let's let this moment renew ourmindset so that we're shaped
more fully into the likeness ofJesus, lovers of truth, men and
women of prayer, people whostand when others fall, who
(22:20):
bless when others curse, whospeak when others fear.
Let's pray, heavenly Father.
Our hearts are heavy.
Today we lift up family andfriends of Charlie Kirk and
everyone shaken by this tragedy.
Comfort them in their grief,bring healing where there's pain
(22:43):
and clarity where there'sconfusion.
Lord God, we confess our ownanger and fear and frustration.
Guard our hearts from hatredand despair.
Teach us to respond with theSpirit of Christ, full of grace
and truth.
Father, help us discern what istrue in a world of rumor and
(23:06):
division.
What is true in a world ofrumor and division.
Protect your church from beingtorn apart by politics or pride.
Unite us around the gospel.
Make us peacemakers in aculture of outrage and witness
of your love in a time ofhostility.
Strengthen us to stand forrighteousness even when it costs
(23:27):
us.
Fill us with courage to speaktruth and humility to serve
those who oppose us.
Keep our eyes fixed on Jesus,the author and the perfecter of
our faith, who endured the crossand despised the shame.
We place our hope not inleaders or movements, but in you
(23:48):
, father, our eternal King.
May your kingdom come out andyour will be done on earth as it
is in heaven.
In the name of Jesus Christ, wepray Amen.
The executive producer ofRenewed Mindsets is Christy
McCurry.
(24:09):
The executive producer ofRenewed Mindsets is Christy
McCurry.
That's all for today, but I'llbe back with more unfiltered
biblical truth and undeniableprophecy.
The time to wake up is now.
If today's episode challengedyou, don't keep it to yourself.
Tell someone please.
Text them a link.
Share the truth while there'sstill time.
(24:30):
Visit renewedmindsetscom tostay connected and to listen to
past episodes and check out ourmerch at renewedmindsetsstore.
Jesus is coming soon.
Stay watchful, stay holy, stayrenewed.
Until next week.
(24:58):
I'm Rick, be an encourager, nota discourager.
I love you, see ya.
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