The Offensive Flag

The title of my video and blog post today is, The offensive flag. In today’s devotional, I reflect on a recent incident in Birmingham where men were reportedly asked to remove an England flag before being served in a pub. Whatever your view on flags, moments like this raise a bigger question: how should Christians respond when cultural symbols become “offensive”? My goal isn’t to stir trouble but to encourage standing for truth with wisdom, peace, and a good witness.

What Happened — And Why It Matters

Stories about England or UK flags being questioned or removed have surfaced more often lately. I’ve covered similar themes here on the site, including Remove Dangerous British Flags!! and Anti-British Council? St George’s Cross Flags Removed in Tower Hamlets. Beyond any single case, this touches on free speech, conscience, and how we live out our faith in public.

We can understand that venues want to avoid conflict. But in England, people should be free to be proud of the English flag without being provocative. The key for believers is to stand for what’s right without descending into anger or retaliation.

How Should Christians Respond?

Scripture gives us a balanced way forward: stand firm, be wise, speak with grace, and refuse to repay evil for evil. I’ve written more broadly about this in Suppression of Free Speech in the UK? and Do We Really Still Have Freedom of Speech in the UK?, and also covered specific incidents like Arrested for Preaching Jesus in the UK.

Scriptures (NKJV)

Matthew 5:10–12
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Matthew 10:16
“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.”

Acts 5:29
“But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: ‘We ought to obey God rather than men.’”

Romans 12:17–18, 21
“Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men… Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Philippians 1:27–28
“Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God.”

Stand Firm — With Wisdom and Grace

We don’t need to answer provocation with provocation. We do need to stand for truth. Let’s model conduct worthy of the gospel: bold conviction, wise speech, and peaceable hearts. For more on responding prayerfully when public faith is challenged, see Investigation for Silent Prayer: Why Prayer Still Changes Things and a peacemaking perspective in Fishing For Peace.

A Simple Prayer

“Dear Lord Jesus, I acknowledge You as Lord and Saviour of my life. I repent of all my sins, and I ask You today to take over complete control of every aspect of my life. Amen.”