Christians can be relentless.

Perseverance can be a good thing when it’s well-directed, when we persevere in faith. But faith that is on constant battle mode, like a cornered badger, reveals a stressed, anxiety-laden faith instead of a faith marked by trust in God. We can be convicted with an urgency to stand and speak up, but that’s very different than sinking our teeth into someone or foaming at the mouth to pounce.

It’s not impossible to be kind, patient, gentle, and loving when confronting people and issues. All of those things (and more) are fruit of the Spirit. If our faith-filled lives and our interactions with others don’t include the fruit of the Spirit, we have a problem. When we’re known more for our relentless attacks more than we are for the character of God, we need to chill and take a look at ourselves and our faith.