Remember When Donald Trump called Elizabeth Warren Pocahontas? What would Jesus Christ say about that? And what did Jesus Christ say about Liars and lying? How did Jesus Christ respond to Evil, corruption, and liars? Lets find out!
President Trump called Elizabeth Warren “Pocahontas” in 2016, 2017 and 2025, it all started when she claimed to be Native American in 2016, which she used to bolster her professional credentials.
Warren, a prominent Democratic senator and former presidential candidate, identified as a minority based on family lore and a DNA test later revealing she is approximately 1/1024 Cherokee—far less than the average American. Critics, including Trump, seized on this to argue she exaggerated her ancestry for career advantages, such as her time at Harvard Law School, where Elizabeth Warren was listed as a minority faculty member. Trump’s taunt, delivered with his characteristic flair at rallies and on social media, frames her actions as hypocritical, an a liar, aligning with a broader narrative of challenging “elites” who bend the truth.
Why did the Jews Kill Jesus? Because they hate god, and they hate the truth.
While name-calling is generally inappropriate, there are rare instances where it can be justified as a righteous act, supported by biblical examples. Lets take a look at what the bible says about name calling.
“Let all that you do be done in love” ( 1 Corinthians 16:14 -) Even When It Involves Righteous Name Calling.
If you have read the bible, you will know that Jesus and other biblical figures, such as Paul and John the Baptist, occasionally used strong language—like calling religious leaders “hypocrites,” “brood of vipers,” or “blind fools”—to confront corruption and spur repentance.
This is an example of Tough love.
Was Jesus crossing the line? Was Jesus failing to show love or acting out of spite?
Not at all. Scripture tells us “God is love” (1 John 4:16), and Jesus, being God incarnate (John 1:1), lived without sin (Hebrews 4:14-15). What we see here is tough love in action: After exercising patience and prayer, Jesus had reached His limit with the blatant corruption of these prideful religious leaders. So, He confronted them with bold, unfiltered truth. As Proverbs 27:5 puts it, “Open rebuke is better than hidden love.” In essence, there are times when a direct, no-nonsense ‘wake-up call’ or ‘pattern interruption’ is exactly what’s needed.
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of Slavery.
Galatians 5:
Lets also not forget, that with this wake up call of truth, Jesus also shunned name calling rooted in anger or pride, which the Bible condemns (in Galatians 5:19-21).
23 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. 24 You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel. Matthew 23:23
(hypocrites and jews)
Jesus Calls Peter Satan
In another instance, Jesus addressed Peter as “Satan” when Peter unknowingly echoed the devil’s sentiments (Matthew 16:22-23).
Yet, it’s worth noting that just a few verses earlier in the same chapter (17-19), Jesus warmly praised Peter. This reveals a balanced approach—Christ readily affirmed people’s strengths but didn’t shy away from calling out foolishness or wickedness when necessary. It’s a blend of gentle love and firm, tough love in action.
The article highlights that Jesus’ harsh rebukes, such as in Matthew 23, were acts of tough love, driven by righteous indignation rather than personal malice, and were appropriate because they came from divine authority and truth.
Jesus Calls Herod A Fox
On a different occasion, the Messiah pointedly labeled Herod a “fox” in a disparaging tone, possibly alluding to a jackal—both being familiar animals in Israel during that era (Luke 13:32).
In Luke 13:32, Jesus’ sharp description of Herod as a “fox” carries a deliberate sting, reflecting a moment where the Messiah didn’t pull punches. This wasn’t a casual remark but a calculated jab, likely dripping with disdain for Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee and Perea. The term “fox” in that cultural context could imply cunning, slyness, or even insignificance—traits that fit Herod’s reputation as a politically shrewd but morally weak ruler. Some scholars suggest Jesus might have been hinting at a jackal instead, a scavenger known for its lowly status, which would amplify the insult. Either way, both animals were common in Israel at the time, making the metaphor vivid and relatable to His audience. This wasn’t about petty name-calling; Jesus was exposing Herod Already Submitting’s character in a way that aligned with His mission to confront unrighteousness head-on.
This incident underscores how Jesus wielded words as tools of truth, not just provocation. Herod had a track record—executing John the Baptist, toying with power under Roman oversight, and now, according to Luke 13:31, being a potential threat to Jesus’ own life as some Pharisees warned Him to flee. By calling him a “fox,” Jesus dismissed Herod’s posturing, signaling that he wasn’t intimidated by this scheming ruler. The remark came as Jesus affirmed His resolve to continue His work, saying He’d press on “today and tomorrow” until His purpose was complete. It’s a striking example of tough love in action: a pointed rebuke meant to reveal reality, not just to wound. For Jesus, this was about staying true to His word, purpose and calling—speaking boldly against corruption and hypocrisy, even when it meant ruffling the feathers of the powerful.
Paul Calls Non Christians Dogs
Paul disagreed with circumcision. Paul essential called fake Christians, dogs.
Paul was alerting the Philippian believers about legalists who insisted that non-Jews needed physical circumcision to be genuinely saved, which was an obsession of theirs. Paul doesn’t hold back here. He flat-out calls these legalists “dogs” and “evil workers”!
What is a legalist? In short terms legalists place outward appearances above inner reality, emphasizing the external image while dismissing the internal. For a legalist, how someone looks to others outweighs who they truly are at heart.
In biblical times, labeling someone a “dog” carried even deeper insult than it does now, marking them as morally reprehensible.
- For example, the Bible uses “dogs” to describe homosexual prostitutes (Deuteronomy 23:18), treacherous villains (Psalm 59:5-6), corrupt rulers (Isaiah 56:10), outsiders (Matthew 15:26-27), and, in this case, rigid legalists.
And how would you feel about being branded an “evil worker”? Pretty stinging, right? This is preserved in Scripture to underscore that legalism is outright wickedness in God’s sight. It’s not something to ignore—it demands confrontation, exposure, and correction, while true believers need a clear warning for their own safeguarding.
Take Paul’s encounter with Elymas (el-OO-mass)—he dubbed him a “child of the devil” and an “enemy of all that is right” because that’s exactly what Elymas was. Who was Elymas? Elymas, also known as Bar-Jesus, was a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet encountered by Paul and Barnabas in Paphos, Cyprus, as recorded in Acts 13:6-12. He served as an advisor to the Roman proconsul Sergius Paulus, who had summoned Paul and Barnabas to hear about the Christian faith. Elymas opposed their message, attempting to turn the proconsul away from it, likely to protect his own influence. Infuriated by this interference, Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, confronted Elymas, calling him a “child of the devil” and “enemy of all that is right,” and struck him with temporary blindness as a divine judgment. This dramatic encounter showcased God’s power, leading the proconsul to believe, and highlighted Elymas as a figure of deception and spiritual resistance in the early spread of Christianity.
That said, accuracy doesn’t rule out creativity or metaphors. Paul used “dogs” for the legalists, while John the Baptist and Jesus branded corrupt religious leaders as “brood of vipers” and “snakes,” along with “whitewashed tombs” and “unmarked graves.” Jesus even called the devil and his demons “snakes and scorpions” (Luke 10:19). Are these literal descriptions? No, but they’re spot-on figuratively, capturing the essence of their subjects.
What Is Legalism?
Legalism has always been a threat to Christianity, authentic Christianity. So, what is it? Legalism is the conviction and practice that eternal salvation can be earned by adhering to religious laws or performing good deeds. What does that mean? It means Legalists prioritize appearances over substance, valuing the external while neglecting the internal. To a legalism, a person’s public image matters more than their true character. For example, as long as someone attends every church service—dressed in the “proper” attire, Bible in hand, chiming “Amen” on cue, tossing something in the offering plate, and cozying up to the pastor—they can still be a spiteful, deceitful, jealous, prideful, abusive, lustful, gossiping, slanderous, drunken, babbling mess outside the church doors (though no single person would likely embody all these flaws). In short, legalism is religious playacting—hypocrisy dressed up as faith. It’s counterfeit Christianity.
“Let all that you do be done in love” ( 1 Corinthians 16:14 -)
“Be Done In Love,” Even When It Involves Righteous Name Calling.
You might wonder: Doesn’t calling people names—even if the labels are true and apt—automatically mean it’s spiteful or unloving? Not necessarily, as we see from clear examples of godly New Testament figures like Jesus and Paul, who used such language sparingly. Let me clarify: It must remain the exception, not the norm. After all, it was rare, not routine, for Jesus, Paul, and other biblical figures—and they’re our role models.
Equally crucial is the principle that all our actions should flow from love:
14 Let all that you do be done in love. ( 1 Corinthians 16:14 -)
So how can name-calling align with love? It can when it’s tough love driven by a righteous intent. Consider the biblical concept of agape love—practical, action-oriented love, not just a warm feeling:
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Examples of Tough Love.
Then the Lord said to him, “You Pharisees focus on polishing the outside of the cup and dish, while inside you’re brimming with greed and evil. You senseless fools!”
Luke 11:39-40a
Feel free to read the rest of the passage on your own, but Jesus goes on to bluntly call the Pharisees “unmarked graves” (verse 44).
Here’s the key: Jesus deliberately skipped their washing ritual. Why? To create an opportunity for a much-needed public rebuke. But how does this reflect love? Because love doesn’t revel in wrongdoing—it rejoices in truth. So, when the moment calls for it, love fearlessly challenges evil. On this occasion, the Lord was prompted to do just that, even using a harsh name for the Pharisees. This serves as a model for us (Ephesians 5:1 & 1 Peter 4:11).
Naturally, a confrontation doesn’t guarantee that the person or group will accept the truth. In this instance, the Pharisees and Teachers of the Law reacted with fierce opposition to Jesus (verse 53). Even so, the Messiah carried out what He was led to do, undeterred, brave, and not scared.
Tough Love With Fools (Idiots, Stupid)
4Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him.
5Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.
Proverbs 26:4-5
These two statements are opposites. Did you notice? This was done on purpose: Opposing statements highlights an intentional contrast. White and black. Some fools are best ignored, while others warrant a sharp response in truth. It hinges on the kind of fool you’re facing, the context, and factors like how much patience you’ve already extended and the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
The Lesson?
The lesson? To promote a logical debate over personal attacks, but Jesus acknowledges that at times a wake up call for truth is needed, even if seen as ‘mean’, because in the long term, the wake up call is for the better and the good. It can be effective when addressing serious wrongdoing. And saves everyone from more pain in the future.
That’s why I’m fine with President Trump playfully jabbing at Elizabeth Warren by calling her “Pocahontas.” She brought it on herself by leveraging a tiny fraction of American-Indian DNA—1/1024 Cherokee, less than the typical American—to claim minority status and advance her career at Harvard and in politics.
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