Thought for Today
1 Samuel 24:9 David said to Saul, "Why do you listen to the words of those who say, 'David seeks to do you harm'?
Jeremiah 38:4 Then the officials said to the king, "This man ought to be put to death, because he is discouraging the soldiers who are left in this city, and all the people, by speaking such words to them. For this man is not seeking the welfare of this people, but their harm."
Matthew 5:22 But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, 'You fool,' you will be liable to the hell of fire.
James 4:11 Do not speak evil against one another, brothers and sisters. Whoever speaks evil against another or judges another, speaks evil against the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.
“Sticks and stones may break my bones; but, words can never hurt me.” Many of us were taught that ditty by our parents to soothe our wounded feelings following someone’s hurtful words. Some of us taught that ditty to our own children. Children may be mollified by that ditty; but, adults know that words can and do hurt. Words can and do carry great meaning and import. Words can and do wound and sometimes have devastating impact on events and on the lives of those subjected to the words.
We are in the midst of a Presidential campaign. There will be numerous campaign rallies; there will (probably) be additional televised ‘debates.’ During much of my own lifetime, the civil discourse of political campaigning has been anything but civil. Mean and hurtful words and phrases are casually tossed about by candidates for almost all offices. There is almost no discussion of policy or practice, no presentation of ideas or ideals. Almost all political campaigns have ‘gone negative.’
Why? Because we, as the electorate, have demonstrated to our leaders that negative campaigning works. Politicians pay particular attention to polls and to election results. Getting elected is the primary goal of all politicians. If ad hominem ([of an argument or reaction] directed against a person rather than the position they are maintaining: "vicious ad hominem attacks") (Bing search) attacks work, politicians will employ them. Various media will report on and present those attacks because doing so will generate greater advertising revenue.
Before we concentrate exclusively on our leaders and those who wish to be our leaders, we need to admit to ourselves that what occurs in the public and political arenas also permeates most of our society. If we want to be brutally honest with ourselves, we need to go further and admit that hurtful and/or dismissive actions, gestures and expressions can also be equally hurtful. A snort, sneer or dismissive wave of the hand, a back turned on someone can all be hurtful.
If you have worked in industry, if you have climbed even one rung on the corporate ladder, you know that hurtful and/or dismissive actions, gestures and expressions, ad hominem attacks, even subtle ones are often employed and are effective. You may have known executives who attained their positions by climbing over the backs of others.
The 5th chapter of Matthew can be difficult for most of us to read, study and apply to our own lives. I am probably not the only person with a sibling or siblings who has insulted a brother or sister, who has said (maybe under my breath if Mom was in range) “You fool.” Those of us who are married may even have insulted a spouse, thought or even said “You fool.”
Are hurtful and/or dismissive actions, gestures and expressions an inescapable component of our humanity? Or, are they employed simply because of their efficacy? As long as we are asking ourselves questions, why do we react the way we do when we encounter those hurtful and/or dismissive actions, gestures and expressions, those dismissive snorts, sneers or gestures?
Jesus was not very vague in condemning the negative. Being liable to the council, being liable to the fire of hell sounds extreme. Certainly none of our politicians, none of us want to endure the fire of hell. Once again I find myself remembering Jesus’ words, “Luke 10:27 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." We just all need to practice what we preach.
Stay safe, live love, trust God,
Pastor Ray