My homie Dre had a status up addressing whether "Christian swag" makes sense. This is what I was lead to write.
This is my take based on the origin of the word "swag." In the Webster's dictionary the 1st definition is sway...sway means fluctuating, oscillating, i.e. going back and forth. In James chapter 1 it speaks about asking for wisdom and having faith when you ask and not doubt for then you are double-minded, unstable in all your ways. It goes on further to speak of God as unchanging, that He is not like shifting shadows. If the 1st definition of swag speaks to fluctuating, going back and forth how can we as Christians say that we have "swag?"
The 2nd defition speaks to a decoration that hangs between two points, one that droops, is curved. But we're not called to be curved or crooked. Prov 10:9 says "People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will slip and fall."
The 3rd definition speaks to loot, goods acquired by unlawful means. We are commanded in Exodus 20 to not steal.
The 4th defnition says "a depression in the earth." Depression is a state of being sad, lowering of functional activity, loss of quality...we are the salt of the earth. We are to bring flavor, life, enhance the earth not lower its value or quality.
The 5th definition states it as a pack of personal belongings as understood to Australians or to travel about carrying one's bundle of personal belongings. This sounds like a weight, a burden. Jesus said in Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." The psalmist in Ps 68:19 says "Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens."
With all that said we as Christians DO NOT have swag. We are NOT to sway, we are NOT to be crooked, we DO NOT steal, we are NOT sad or depreciating the earth's value and we DEFINITELY DO NOT carry a burden. So having "Christian swag" or "Jesus swag" is a scheme of the enemy, a means for him to infiltrate and influence the minds of Christians, especially young people so that they do not function as God intended for them to function.
We have the Holy Spirit abiding in us. The power that's available there is infinite; it's abounding! Saying as Christians I got "swag" or my "Swag speaks for me" is a ploy of the enemy to replace the Holy Spirit, to not truly acknowledge the power and strength God promised from so long ago. You're speaking into your life something that is not the Word, something that is not TRUTH. And Jesus said "then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free" (John 8:32). But if you aren't speaking truth into your life then you are wrapping yourself in bondage. Jesus prayed in John 17 "Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth." The only way for us to be holy is to know the truth. SWAG is NOT truth.
Now "swagger" as defined by the Webster's dictionary is "to conduct oneself in an arrogant or superciliously pompous manner ; especially : to walk with an air of overbearing self-confidence." Superciliously is defined as "coolly and patronizingly haughty." All in all "swagger" is pride, it is being boastful. Ps 10:4 states " In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God." Proverbs speaks to pride in more than one verse.
Prov 11:12 - When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humilty comes wisdom.
Prov 13:10 - Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.
Prov 16:18 - Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
We are called to be humble. Paul exhorts us in Philippians 2 to have the mind or attitude of Christ. Phil 2:7 "Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being." If Jesus who is God could humble himself to become lower than the angels didn't walk around in arrogance or pride then who are we to be walking around haughtily? Jesus humbled himself and washed his disciples' feet in John 13. He led by example to show us what it means to be humble. Swagger is not humility. Swagger is not biblical.
Both words (swag and swagger) have different meanings. But both meanings are contrary to the Word of God, contrary to the truth. As 2 Corinthians 10:17-18 states "But let him who boasts boast in the Lord. For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends." Let God approve and commend you. Don't do it yourself; only boast in the Lord.
19 comments:
Well your points are very interesting. You use a worldly dictionary to make an assumption. First of all we as Black people must define and sometimes re-define ourselves in light of what God has done to us and through us despite the devastation we have encountered in this Country. That means when you examine saintly Swagger, Jesus Swagger etc it ain't as the "world" defines it. The exegesis I did using the lens of I Corintians 15 "flipped the Script" on what T.I. was saying. By the way Paul did Boast...He Boasted in his insufficiency, his weakness, his sufferings. In fact Paul put himself our there as having done more than everybody else (II Cor.11:16-33) Also Jesus said "Let Your Light Shine before men..." (Matt. 5:16) That means confidence in Christ; That means Boldness (Hebrews 4) for the Lord! You are right if we use Swagger as self centered, self glory then we are wrong. But when (As I stated) we use it to give God glory because God is the source of our Strength and we use it to win souls for Christ then we take the attention off of us and put it on God!
I disagree with RevJJ. Often times we get caught up trying to mix the sacred things of God with the world and end up desecrating it. Why do you think the Bible says that the world can not see the difference between the sacred and profane.
Give credit to the Holy Spirit in order to give God glory. It is His Spirit that is doing all of the work. "Swagger" is not winning individuals...it was the spirit doing a work in the individual already. You cant win one soul using "swag" without the Spirit!!!!
People need to know that the Holy Spirit is real. Too many people are confused and afraid of something that they don't understand. People need to understand what the Holy Spirit is about, instead of "swag." Give credit to none but God's spirit and He will receive all of the glory. When you try to win the world with worldly tactics, then you open the door for them to become worldly Christians...they were won by the things of the world, and they will continue to look like the world! Use what is Biblical, and give all credit to the Father and His spirit and people will be genuinely won to Christ.
I actually came across this post on accident and drawn to read it. I would just like to give my opinion. There are many things that should not be incorporated into the faith, however the term swag i must say is far from sway. I do understand why you used sway but to "sway" away from something is not at all what "swag" is suppose to mean. Once again my opinion, but swag is supposed to mean your style or bravado. Now when it comes to christ or style is diffrent from others and we should feel proud. Im extremely proud of my father so i boast on him. So when i talk with the youth of my church being the youth pastor, i tell them you can have swag and jesus. Your swag is your personality , your own style. I have to agree w/ RevJJ at times we need to redifine what the world may have created for a negative and use it for Gods glory...once again my opinion..
Your crazy..Swag doesn't meanbof this things it's slang for confidence.. NOT arrogance or selfishness.. Good luck trying to ACTUALLY learn the meanings of word by context rather than definition. Kthanksbye.
As long as we are IN the world but not OF the world, we can put God into EVERYTHING no matter if it is in the world or not.
we are called to redeem things that the devil has used for his glory.
i believe that in the context of what swag means TODAY, you can in fact have christian swag as long as your confidence and personality is 100% in Christ and not in your clothes/style.
If we seperate us so much from the world that we cant even influence it, then whats the point of being here...
We are here for a reason and that is too change/impact the world through things that apply to the world in todays culture, not just what "worked" in the past.
"In the beginning God CREATED..."
the first thing God wants us to know about Him is that he is creative. Lets use what is around us to redeem a lost and fallen world in a way God intends it to be!
Heyy.. wow that was full of insight i agree with you totally.. I was just thinking about the term "christian swag" then i googled it and found you!! So thanks.. When I was worldly i liked bands like the new boyz (so yer i was only saved recently last november.. Praise the Lord)
Sooo i was thinking i can't abandon who I was in terms of like how I dressed, (I know i am a new creation in Christ Jesus and that so im not holding on to old charcteristics.. i just mean clothes wise) so my life style has changed though and lots of things have gone like the secular music and Chris Brown.. Praise God! he was driving me wayward thank God he intervened!! Anyway i'm going off the topic of this post lol
Plus there are christian jerking songs so i still jerk(dance). I called that my "swag" then however i don't really use the term now so it's not a problem for me. i still dress the same my skinnies and fitted cap (im a girl lol random point)
I just wanted to say I remember reading somwhere in the bible that (paraphrased) we should represent christ cuz we are the salt.. there is this brand called "Jesus is my Logo" it's slogan is "ladies and gentlemen we are the company and Jesus is the LOGO" - i think that is okay so I went in that direction getting those clothes because i don't want my "swag" to assosiate me with a certain type of worldly lifestlye such as the "Taylor Gang" or "Jerkin' lifestyle" (cuz im not supposed to be of the world no more) and there are so many other Christian Brands and a website called "Christianswag.com" which sells some awsome clothes on their website..
Lastly your points are very interesting .. I just think that it depend on the individuals yeildedness to christ that will determine yu kno how they refer to the term "swag" - if their mind isn't renewed in regards to humility then they will use it in the arrogant context .. which is what it means to the world as you said.. but in our kingdom "swag" means Christlikeness :)
OKAY i take your point maybe we shouldn't use the term swag lol.. loved the post though.. i wish i could share it with my friends on facebook.. i think i might.. God bless you for writting this you are a blessing!! <3
Swagg does not line up w/ God's word. Greater is HE that is in me the he that is in the world. Ask God for a new outlook on life...ask that people see Jesus in you and not a swag or anything else. What is it that we want to do? impress people with ourselves or lead people to salvation thru Jesus Christ? I pick the latter!!!God Bless!!
SWAG=(S)aved•(W)ith•(A)mazing•
(G)race :)
Good discussion, Matt. 10:16 Behold I send you forth as sheep in the misdst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpants and harmless as doves. Prov. 11:30 ... He that winneth souls are wise. What if you come up with your own definition for SWAGG and present to the youth?
S=Saved
W=With
A=All
G=God's
G=Grace
There are so many things the enemy has taken from the church, why we can't take back what the devil stole? Our kids, singers, ideas, themes, thoughts, and stuff. Do you have Swagg? Salvation with all God's Grace???
whats the harm of haing swagg while reppin jesus christ .. i do it every day people come to me and ask hey you a christian, i say yea and they respond swagg ok people respect you when you are stong in something and i am mos def. strong in christ! SWAGG!!
swagg is not about being cool it is about confident in something i am mos def confident in jesus christ aka swagg i repp him everywhere i go ... swaagg=i love jesus!
Surrender Worship the Almighty GOD
Found this post while trying to look for something else... I see all of your points and agree with most. I believe that God (Father, Son & Holy Spirit) created the stars, but man perverted it through astrology...(so I wont be reading the horrorscopes)lol. The earth is the Lords and the fullness there of. So maybe "SWAG" Is His too. LOL! SWAG = SEALED WITH ALMIGHTY GOD...Is what I will say...But man can pervert anything and try to make it their own. So the short of what I think, by not trying to make it so complicated... I think its ok to think/create differently because we are all wired differently for a reason...(Not changing the Word of God,just being different). We are not under the LAW but under Grace...(not to make a reason to sin though). Iron sharpens Iron and this is how we grow. So if we all looked the same, talked the same, acted the same...it would be kinda boring. Funny, God knew that we would talk about this today :-)
S. W. A. G.
A I M R
V T A A
E H Z C
D I E
N
G
I do agree that we need to be careful with what we line ourselves up with...Just because we are in this world and not of this world doesnt mean we cant be cool and have "SWAG'... Compliments are ok to receive but ALL the Glory goes to God. Being cool/having "SWAG" in this world can meet someone at their level to win them to Christ...All through the Power of the Holy Spirit of course... Standing With Almighty God... Go ahead and make your own... What the enemy meant for harm, God will turn for good !!
Nah man. Swag in today's culture means appearance, style, or the way he or she presents themselves. So when someone has "Jesus Swag" that means we reppin Jesus. When people see me, I want them to see Jesus. So I am reppin the Jesus swag. I want to represent myself in style and appearance to look like Jesus.
I really think you need to look at this issue within the larger whole of how and what swag means to our culture as a whole not just what it means as per the Websters Dictionary. Which by the way, has the word "Black" defined as something that is evil and unwanted and sinful. So I would be very careful to read too much into that particular text. I dont mean to insult or heckle but thats my opinion.
Someone
Who
Admires
God
Sealed
With
A
Gift
I Got Swag!!!!!
the power of swag compels you! the power of swag compels you! the power of swag compels you! the power of swag compels you! the power of swag compels you! the power of swag compels you! the power of swag compels you! the power of swag compels you! the power of swag compels you! the power of swag compels you! the power of swag compels you! the power of swag compels you! the power of swag compels you! the power of swag compels you! the power of swag compels you! the power of swag compels you!
S. W.A.G. Are intakes that mean secretly we are gay a group if gay men invented it in the 60's but I think it could mean for the Christian saved with amazing grace like the previous comment stated
He that is wise as a serpent wins souls, many of us christians are too caught up in the hoople of looking and acting what we feel is "Holy" that we dont even care about winning souls. We have to be wise enough to come to were the souls are! Thats servitude! If thats a snapback, rap music, swag etc. we should have no problem with doing it. We arent in this thing for just ourselves, our worship music, our preferences it not about us! Its about people seeing the light of jesus. We need to stop excpecting them to come to where we are and go to were they are,,that jesus.
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