What Should We Tolerate

"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand."
Ephesians 6:13 (NIV)

You walk into a chemistry lab and watch a student casually mixing formulas, ignoring safety protocols. "Don't be so intolerant," someone says when you intervene. But you know better; tolerance here means disaster.

The same principle applies in mathematics. NASA engineers can't be "tolerant" of miscalculations, or astronauts die. Architects can't tolerate structural errors, or buildings collapse. Sports referees can't tolerate rule violations, or games become chaos.

Yet somehow, when it comes to moral and spiritual truth, our culture demands tolerance of everything. You're labeled "intolerant" for standing firm on biblical principles. But the Apostle Paul tells you to put on God's armor and stand your ground when evil advances.

What happens when you put on God’s armor? You are strengthened by truth and faith in Jesus protects you from any attack. Your mind and thoughts are consumed with God’s salvation plan instead of being plagued by the world’s priorities. When you leave every interaction, footprints of peace follow. And the Word of God is your only weapon. (See Ephesians 6:14-17 for a description of the full armor of God). 

Bishop Fulton Sheen understood this difference when he said this, "Tolerance applies only to persons, but never to truth. Right is right if nobody is right, and wrong is wrong if everybody is wrong."

You can love people deeply while refusing to tolerate the sin that destroys them. This isn't hatred. It's love that cares enough to speak truth. When culture pressures you to stay silent about what God calls wrong, remember: your call isn't to be tolerant of sin, but to stand firm in truth.

In your relationships today, how can you choose truth over popularity? In what areas of your work or family can you choose God's standards over cultural acceptance? Let God’s armor clothe you today so you can experience and embody His salvation in every conversation.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for giving me armor to stand in: truth, faith, righteousness, salvation and peace. Give me courage to stand in truth while loving people well. Help me be intolerant of sin in my own life first, then speak Your truth with grace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.