Mandisa – Bleed The Same (Feat. TobyMac & Kirk Franklin)

It is no secret that tragedy deeply affects people.  For many, a terrible evil, a freak accident, an unanswered prayer, or an untimely death drives a wedge between them and God.  For others, it deepens their relationship with the Almighty.

In recent years, Mandisa suffered heavy loss.  Her best friend and backup singer, Kisha Mitchell, was struck with breast cancer.  Mitchell was pregnant at the time of her untimely death.  She sacrificed her aggressive treatment so that her unborn son could live, leaving behind her loving husband and an additional son.

After a four year period of food, depression, and isolation, she rekindled her love for Jesus and received the help she needed to move on.  She took her pain and channeled its raw energy into her latest album, Out of the Dark.

Frustrated with the tragic shootings following Independence day 2016 and the arguing that followed, she got together with her song writers and produced Bleed the Same as a response to the anger, frustration, and hostility towards one another.

Note to new users: This is a different kind of review site!  Read About the Berean Test and Evaluation Criteria prior to reading this review.

1. What message does the song communicate?

The core of this message is to stand in unity for love to triumph over hate.  We often judge each other for superficial reasons, dividing us.  It recognizes one common factor, that we all “bleed the same”.  We are all human, regardless of race, nationality, orientation, religion, gender, or any other dividing factor.

Overall, it is very positive and uplifting.  There is a prayer at the end, indicating the driving force behind the call to unity, that is, so that we can seek God’s face, find forgiveness for our sins, and receive restoration in our land.  I would have liked to see that in the forefront of the message rather than as a footnote.

Score: 9/10

2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?

Much of it does; however, I have some concerns.  Lyrics posted with permission.*

[Intro]

We all bleed the same

Borrows from Genesis 1:27, which recognizes that all of us are created in the image of God, granting us intrinsic worth.

We’re more beautiful when we come together

I have a possible concern with line 2: “We’re more beautiful when we come together”. In what sense do we come together? Given the rest of the lyrics, I conclude that the “coming together” is for love rather than hate.

While this is a noble cause, we have a warning in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 in that we should not yoke ourselves together with unbelievers. While this would certainly include marriage, we must be careful not to apostatize ourselves by joining unbelievers in our common cause to love.  However, in Mandida’s video on the song, she explained that the unity is within the body of Christ.  This quenches my concern.

We all bleed the same

Repeat of line 1.

So tell me why, tell me why
We’re divided

Asks a question that is addressed later in this song.

[Verse 1]

Woke up today
Another headline
Another innocent life is taken
In the name of hatred
So hard to take (hey!)
And if we think that it’s all good
Then we’re mistaken
‘Cause my heart is breaking
(Tell em’ Dis)

Complete and brutal honesty, consistent with much of what is recorded in Psalms: an expression of feelings at the present moment.

[Pre-Chorus 1]

Are you left?
Are you right?

I am not exactly sure what “left” and “right” mean.  Perhaps this is a reference to the political left and right?  That seems reasonable, but I am not 100% certain.

Pointing fingers, taking sides

This is a recurring theme throughout the entire Bible, starting in Genesis 3:12-13, where Adam blames the woman and God for his disobedience, while Eve blames the serpent.

When are we gonna realize?

Intros into the Chorus.

[Chorus 1]

We all bleed the same
We’re more beautiful when we come together
We all bleed the same
So tell me why, tell me why
We’re divided

Repeat of Intro.

If we’re gonna fight
Let’s fight for each other

After all, we are the body of Christ!  See Psalm 82:3-4, Proverbs 24:11, Luke 4:18-19, Luke 10:30-37, John 15:13, Romans 12:10, Romans 13:4, 1 Thessalonians 5:11-15, and James 1:27.

If we’re gonna shout
Let love be the cry

This is the most appropriate response to hatred.  See Proverbs 17:17, Proverbs 20:6-7, Mark 12:29-31, Luke 6:35, Romans 13:8-10, 1 Corinthians 13:1-8, 1 Corinthians 13:13, 1 Corinthians 16:14, Ephesians 4:2-3, Colossians 3:14, 1 Peter 4:8, 1 John 3:16-18, 1 John 4:7-11, and 1 John 4:21.

We all bleed the same
So tell me why, tell me why
We’re divided

Repeats lines 3-5 of Intro.

[Verse 2]

Tell me, who are we
To judge someone
By the kind of clothes they’re wearing
Or the color of their skin?

Rhetorical question with an obvious answer: we should not judge on this basis, but rather, judge with righteous judgment (John 7:24).  Also see Matthew 7:1-5, Matthew 12:36-37, Luke 6:37-42, Romans 2:1-3, Romans 14:1-13, and 1 Corinthians 6:1-6.

Note

There are some additional passages that also deal with man’s judgment for one another, which can be found in Leviticus 19:15, Proverbs 31:9, Matthew 7:12, John 7:24, Romans 12:16-18, and James 4:11-12.  I did not include them because this lyric is about unjust judgment.

[Pre-Chorus 2]

Are you black? (black)
Are you white? (white)

Repeats the same ideas found in Verse 2.

Aren’t we all the same inside? (the same inside)

Repeats the idea that we all bleed the same.

Father, open our eyes to see!

A prayer to God the Father, that we can see all people as equal.

[Bridge]

Only love can drive out all the darkness

Though love drives out fear (1 John 4:18), it is the light of God that drives out darkness (Psalm 107:10-16, Luke 1:79 (read in context; “child” refers to Jesus), John 1:1-13, John 12:46, Ephesians 5:8, Colossians 1:13, and 1 Peter 2:9).

Of course, the Scriptures also say God is love (1 John 4:8), so one could argue that because God is light, and God is love, therefore, love can drive out darkness.  However, that argument is not immediately clear in the lyric nor have I seen this argued in any of Mandisa’s interviews.

What are we fighting for?

Great question!

We were made to carry one another

That is, our burdens (Galatians 6:2).

We were made for more, said…

That is, to do good works that God has prepared beforehand for us (Ephesians 2:10).

[Chorus 2]

We all bleed the same (we all bleed the same)
We’re more beautiful when we come together…
Let’s stand united!
We all bleed the same (we all bleed the same)
So tell me why, tell me why
We’re divided
If we’re gonna fight
Let’s fight for each other (fight for each other!)
If we’re gonna shout
Let love be the cry (be the cry!)
We all bleed the same (we all bleed the same)
Bleed the same
Let’s stand united (let’s stand united)
Let’s stand united!

Repitition of other lines already addressed.

[Outro]

So Father God, I pray
That our families will come together right now
And seek your face
You will forgive our sins
And You will heal our incredible land
In the name of the only Savior, Jesus Christ
Amen

Prayer based on 2 Chronicles 7:14.  As in many prayers offered, this one is done in the name of Jesus, consistent with John 14:13-14.

Score: 8/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

Though the majority of outsiders heavily promotes love over hate and will no doubt identify with the core message of this song, Christ or God is not overly obvious within these lyrics until the end.  Then, they will see that Mandisa (through the voice of Kirk Franklin) desires for families to repent, receive forgiveness, and unite together for a common cause: love.

The Gospel is there, but more cloaked than I would like.  Some of its power is hidden, but present nonetheless.

Score: 8/10

4. What does this song glorify?

Love.  The glory of God is present but somewhat obscure.

Score: 8/10

Closing Comments

I am grateful that God can take a terrible situation and turn it around for good (Genesis 50:20), in accordance to His will and purpose (Romans 8:28).  Mandisa’s song Bleed the Same is an outflow of God working in her life.  Though God’s splendor is veiled, it is nonetheless a powerful and highly biblical message, speaking against the hatred of mankind and calling us to unity in the love of God.  It is through repentance and receiving forgiveness for our sins that our land can receive healing, restoring that which is lost through our sinful actions.

Final score: 8/10

Artist Info

Track: Bleed the Same (listen to the song)

Artist: Mandisa

Album: Out of the Dark

Genre: Gospel

Release Year: 2017

Duration: 4:04

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