By Dr. Anne Davis

The question about whether we need to wear masks during the coronavirus pandemic has become
an intense debate. I propose there are two perspectives, one is secular, and the other is biblical.

Secular perspective: No government authority, state or federal, has mandated the wearing of masks, although such a protective measure has been widely recommended. Individual businesses are doing their best to enforce this directive, but without government implementation the recommendation has led to confusion and turmoil.

Arguments for wearing a mask:

All arguments for wearing a mask are based on scientific data. According to a recent report by the CDC (Center for Disease Control):

1. The virus spreads through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.
2. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
3. COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms.
4. The virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading very easily and sustainably between people.

Arguments for not wearing a mask:

1.  Mandatory masking is about social control.
2. Each person has the right to decide whether or not to wear a mask.
3. Evidence is not yet conclusive and may be incorrect.
4. Political entities are promoting fear to keep people compliant and confined to their homes.
5.  Mask-wearing is not only useless but may be dangerous over the long-haul.

Biblical perspective: Given the lack of secular enforcement, and assuming God’s Word takes precedence over secular regulations, an examination of the biblical perspective becomes essential for the people of God.

I suggest there are two biblical principles that can help us survive this coronavirus pandemic. One is learning how to overcome our own lack of control and the second is compassion.

Are you feeling a lack of control?

If difficult and painful circumstances are beyond your ability to control them, you may feel frustrated, tense and angry. Furthermore, you may experience an urgent desire for life to return to “normal”, to the way it “used to be” before the trouble began. However, that cannot happen because times are changing. It appears that this pandemic will be with us for a while, and it is modifying many aspects of our lives. So, how do we respond to an inability to control what is happening around us?

Pride is when we try to do things our own way. The opposite is humility, which is submitting to God and trusting in Him. What, then, are the consequences first of ungodly pride and then of godly humility?

“Pride and arrogance and the perverted mouth I hate,” says the Lord (Prov 8:13). What follows these sins? “A man’s pride will bring him low,” because “pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before stumbling.” Yet, if we submit in humble obedience to God, “a humble spirit will obtain honor in the eyes of the Lord” (Prov 16:18; 29:23).

Yeshua is the one we want to imitate. “Learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart,” he tells us (Mat 11:29). The heart is where we need to be humble.

How, then, do we apply this biblical principle of trying not to do things our way, and instead humbly submitting to God during this pandemic crisis? The author of Philippians gives us the answer.

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves. Do not look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves, which was also in Christ Jesus. Phil 2:3-5

Thinking and responding to others instead of concentrating on ourselves is our first biblical principal; the second biblical principle is compassion.

Have compassion on those who do not agree with you

Let us begin with the concept of compassion in the Hebrew Scriptures. I love working in the Hebrew text because it is rich with linguistic artistry. For example, the origin of the Hebrew word racham is “womb”, but with an artistic extension the word has come to mean a close brotherly bond between those born from the same womb, hence a feeling of deep compassion.

God has given us instruction using this word racham. “Judge with true justice, and do [that is, practice] lovingkindness and compassion each man to his brother” (Zech 7:9). Notice how the profound expression of lovingkindness connects with the feeling of compassion.

However, I think the most exciting and relevant passages about compassion are in the New Testament because this inner feeling, which cares deeply about others, is accompanied by the following action of granting mercy. The Greek word ἔλεοϛ (eleos) means not just compassion but also mercy, and we learn about ἔλεοϛ (compassion followed by mercy) as it relates to our faith in Yeshua.

So, if we want to learn from Yeshua, who is gentle and humble in heart, we must show compassion and mercy to others. “For judgment will be without mercy to one who has shown no [compassion and] mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment” (James 2:13).

Conclusion
As believers in Christ we have been given the responsibility of shining God’s light into the world. How can we do that during this coronavirus pandemic? When we trust in the Lord with all our heart, without leaning on our own understanding, we exhibit our inner peace to others. When we withhold judgment and exhibit compassion, others are comforted.

Therefore, if you are wearing a mask and encounter someone who is not wearing a mask, avoid criticism. The same applies to those who are not wearing a mask. Yet, Yeshua often took some action of mercy after his deep inner feeling of compassion. So, what might be a possible action on your part?

I suggest that each circumstance will be different, and I encourage you to let the Holy Spirit give you guidance. As for me, I receive an instant inner sense of whether to speak or not, and if guided to speak I express words without thinking about them in my mind. More often, I do not receive a sense of speaking, in which case I remain silent. However, I think that others can perceive an inner light that shines from your heart when you are being guided by the Holy Spirit.

You may be led by the Spirit in a different way, but the important point is to feel compassion for the person who is following different guidelines than you are. “For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another” (1 John 3:11).

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