Why Jerks?

Why does it seem like Being a Jerk is now acceptable in today’s American Culture? More importantly why is it that it seems that it is now acceptable among Christians? I believe there are multiple reasons why it is the case. No way will I be able to cover all the reasons in an in-depth manner. Also, I will most likely miss some of the reasons. This article is mainly to get each of us to look at this current phenomenon, and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to us if we are walking in Jerkiness. Another purpose is to hopefully bring conviction that there is no justifiable reason to be a JERK.

Definition of Jerk
-An annoying, stupid or foolish person
-An unlikeable person, especially one who is cruel, rude, or small-minded
I will add my own definition. A person who is narcissistic in nature, thus does not care about others, and just says and does what they feel like doing. Controlled by emotions. Or a person who grew up in an abusive environment where they did not learn proper behavior, most likely raised by jerks so do not know any better. I add this so help explain why some people act like jerks but do not intentionally try to be a jerk.

NUMBER ONE REASON-Fallen Nature
The number one reason people, even Christians at times, are jerks is because we are broken, fallen, messed up, narcissistic human beings, who left on our own are JERKS! The sinful nature of man, when not managed, pushes us towards being jerk. However, it must be acknowledged some of the most lost human beings on earth are less of a jerk than some Christians. OUCH!!!!!

OUR CULTURE
Since there has been human beings on earth there has been people who are jerks. But it seems to be more prevalent in today’s American Culture. It certainly seems to be more prevalent among Christians.

I believe there are a few reasons why it is more prevalent in our culture.

-It is Acceptable
There is not the shame that was once attached to it at one time. Jerks have never been concerned about what people think. But nowadays it is acceptable to be a jerk. It is so acceptable that some people give kudos to people who are jerks. Some people justify others or themselves for being a jerk and they are not challenged. Being a jerk has even become a prideful thing, no shame attached.
LISTEN-It may be acceptable in our American culture but it should absolutely never be acceptable to a Christian.

-It is Justified
In today’s culture people justify their jerkiness or others justify their jerkiness. It is justified my calling it ‘Standing for Truth’. It is justified by calling a person that is a jerk a ‘Hero’. It is justified by saying ‘It is the only way to get people to listen’. It is justified by saying ‘It is the only way to get things done’.
LISTEN-the above justifications are being spoken by those who call themselves Christians, let that sink in.

-It is Modeled
In today’s entertainment, politics, life on the streets of America it is modeled. It is all around us. It is modeled on Social Media.
LISTEN-As Christians we are to be salt, not absorb the world. We are to be in the world but not be the world.

-Fueled by Anger, Resentment, Vindictiveness
When a person is filled with anger they are more likely to lean towards being a jerk.
When a person is filled with resentment they are more likely to be a jerk.
When a person is vindictive because they are filled with anger and resentment they are more likely to be a jerk.
LISTEN-As Christians we are not to be filled with anger, have resentments, or walk in vindictiveness.

-Talking Heads
The Talking Heads of the Left/Right, Liberal/Conservative, Lost/Christian many times are jerky. This is an interesting phenomenon. Is it the chicken or the egg? Is it because their fan base is jerky so they are tinkling the ears of their fan base or is it they are jerky, so their fan base is jerky.
LISTEN-Regardless of the reason, as Christians we should not idolize Talking Heads or be negatively influenced by Talking Heads.

-Character Does Not Matter (A MAJOR FACTOR)
I believe one of the main reasons that jerkiness is acceptable is because overall character no longer matters to many Americans, regardless of where they are at politically. They no longer care about the character of those they support. Rhetoric and policies are more important than character.
LISTEN-For Christians character should be at the top of the list regarding any type of leader.

-Politics, A Shift in Politics (THE ROOT)
I am absolutely convinced that since the election of 2016 there was a major shift in politics. There had become not only an extreme disagreement on politics/policies but an absolute disdain for opposing candidates. The two candidates Trump and Clinton were fueled by this hatred. Both can be extreme narcissistic individuals and being fueled by their base they turned on their jerky personality. I will say Trump much more than Hillary Clinton. Character no longer mattered. What mattered was who could beat up their opponent more than the other.The fan base loved it.Enough Christians (who are to be the salt) decided jerkiness was acceptable if their candidate could win.
LISTEN-This mindset has carried on all the way into 2025. The only way that our culture or at least the Christian culture, rids itself of accepting jerkiness is repentance.

SOLUTION-CONFESSION and REPENTANCE
As Christians we cannot change the world, we can only influence the world. As Christians we cannot remove jerkiness from our culture, but we can make a conscious decision to proclaim by our own words and actions that being a jerk is unacceptable. It is sin that needs to be repented of. We need to confess if we have been jerks. We need to repent. We need to ask for forgiveness from God an others. We need to make amends where needed. We need to be public in our repentance if our jerkiness has been in the public arena. We need to make a commitment that whenever the Holy Spirit reveals to us we are being a jerk to immediate repent.