1 Peter 2:15-16
15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
-The name “Christian” carries with it many stereotypes in modern culture; we are seen as naïve and foolish, self-righteous and judgmental, etc. Some of these stereotypes have been properly earned by Christians who failed to heed the teachings of scripture. Take this section of scripture in 1 Peter for instance. The Bible warns us that “foolish men” will interpret what it means to be a Christian and we are supposed to stop such false interpretations through well-doing. What we are absolutely not supposed to do is use Christian liberty as a “cloke of maliciousness”, an excuse to treat those around us disrespectfully or otherwise improperly. Jesus Christ was always good and kind to those around Him, how can any of us who claim to be “Christ-like” do any less than He? After all, “The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.” (Matthew 10:24)
