Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so
that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit
by the way you live. Remember, he has
identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of
redemption. Get rid of all
bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil
behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted,
forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:29-32 (NLT)
From the very first time I went online (in 1996) to the present
day, I have observed (as you certainly have), the growing ugliness of human anger
openly-expressed at other humans, particularly on blogs, Facebook exchanges and
other forms of communication. The volume
is increasing exponentially – both the sheer amount of abusive language,
as well as the decibel level. People
seem to want to outshine one another as they take mean and hurtfulness to
new levels.
And towards what end is all this vitriol and aggression? I imagine not a happy one! At the very least we separate ourselves from
one another with war words.
A blog, or Facebook tug-of-war can be (often is) a place for
unleashing frustration. And that is perhaps, one reason why the angry words fly
with such abandon – it gives relief to stifled lives that are stuffed-full with
pent-up anger. The source of said
anger is grist for another day’s mill.
So, back to the main subject – words can destroy. And often they do.
Everyone who is old enough to tie his shoes has experienced the
power of words to hurt; many of us have been cut deeply by words flowing from
mouths that had formerly professed friendship, even love.
Some caustic words can stay lodged in a person’s spirit for a
lifetime.
But there are also words that heal!
While writing the first portion of today’s devotion I took a break
for breakfast. (I was stuck for how to
put what I felt about all this into words; besides, the dogs were letting me
know it was time to go out).
After breakfast I browsed Facebook for a few moments before
getting back to the desk. God provided
the words through my friend, Anna Murdock, who posted this gem that illustrates
just exactly what I wanted to say:
On my
morning's drive to work (was stopped at an intersection) ...
I saw an Asian man walking down the street, passing by a young black guy (maybe in his late teens) who was bringing in his curbside trash bin. The Asian man was pointing and yelling racial obscenities at the young man. He would walk a few feet in the road, stop and point again. Again, the racial obscenities flew from his mouth. I lowered my window to listen. It seemed important to not turn my head away from this. The young black guy was yelling back at the man. No, he wasn't yelling racial slurs or obscenities. He yelled, "Black people are good people. You should get to know us!" The man turned and continued on his walk, away from the young guy. I continued on my drive to work being grateful that I could hear this young man's response above the other man's voice. The young man is right, you know.[2]
I saw an Asian man walking down the street, passing by a young black guy (maybe in his late teens) who was bringing in his curbside trash bin. The Asian man was pointing and yelling racial obscenities at the young man. He would walk a few feet in the road, stop and point again. Again, the racial obscenities flew from his mouth. I lowered my window to listen. It seemed important to not turn my head away from this. The young black guy was yelling back at the man. No, he wasn't yelling racial slurs or obscenities. He yelled, "Black people are good people. You should get to know us!" The man turned and continued on his walk, away from the young guy. I continued on my drive to work being grateful that I could hear this young man's response above the other man's voice. The young man is right, you know.[2]
What a stark night and day contrast of words laid
side by side; the one man had words which destroy and the other speaking words of
healing. The destroyer was slinging
spears of anger, while the healer offered arms of reconciliation.
For followers of Jesus Christ there is a profound and compelling
lesson here; if we would be, as St Francis of Assisi[3] urged, instruments
of God’s peace, we must learn
when assaulted by words or worse, to offer what Jesus offered…the other cheek.
It’s been said that the worst thing you can lead with is your chin…but
I can think of no other way to turn the other cheek if you want to stay in the
conversation in any meaningful, constructive way.
It’s called “vulnerability” and it’s what healing is all about in
the human family.
For You Today
Considering the importance of
words, today might be a good day to put into practice what my Mother told me
one day: think before you speak,
Russell.
[1]
Title Images: Man: Jessica Flavin, London, England, via Wikimedia
Commons Woman: By Lara604, via Wikimedia
Commons
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