Isn't this a question that everyone asks from time to time? I am taking a new diabetic medicine where I have to take two shots a day. Most of the time when I give myself the shot, the very small thin needle goes in nearly painless. Once in a while though, that little needle seems to hit a nerve and it really hurts. I'm not going to die from the pain, but still at the moment those little shots that have gone awry are painful. So, as I winced in pain this morning from that little bitty shot, I couldn't help but wonder if other areas of our lives shouldn't cause us to wince in pain.
It's so easy to get on websites, usually under fictitious names, and say things that are very hurtful about people that we really don't even know. In many cases terrible things are said, half truths are commented about and all the while the person attacking has never even spoken to the one being attacked. They don't know them, they don't bother to get any information other than what they have either heard or made up. I've been at the end of those attacks, so I know that they hurt. Are you going to die from those attacks? I doubt it. Is your life going to be forever changed from those attacks? Probably not, but the momentary hurt is just as real.
Matthew 25:40 says "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."
When these attacks are made on even the weakest Christian, the one who is barely making his life count for Christ, Jesus said it's the same as doing unto Him. Do we all make mistakes? I can't speak for you, but I know that I do. Do we all regret some things in our lives that we have done? Again, I don't know you, but I know I have. Do we want those things talked about over the internet? Not me! So, if I don't want people saying bad things about me, and Jesus said that if you do it it;'s the same as doing it unto Him, why would we be so unkind to brothers and sisters in Christ.
I don't care if you are doing it in the name of "critiquing" or "sharing", or just spreading "rumors", we need to declare a moratorium on hateful accusations and start talking about others the way we would want to be talked about ourselves. How about talking about them as if we were standing in front of Jesus? Wouldn't that make for some interesting conversation!
Author: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Written: 05/12/2009
| 
Category: Editorials
Comments: 5
RSS Feed
| (What's an RSS feed?)
|
Ads Sponsored by Southern Spin
I agree, Deon. Great food for thought.
God is good all the time & all the time God is good.
Elaine Harcourt
This is so true -- when we point a finger at another person, there are three pointing back at ourselves. Then as Christians we are supposed to forgive and forget (actually the easy part is forgiving, it is really hard to forget what someone has said about you). Thanks, Deon for all that you do to promote Southern Gospel music.
I recently read an article--I believe it was in Discipleship Journal--that talked about "Fasting from Fault-Finding". This article impacted me greatly. Every Christian should read it. It really hit home with me, and made me think a little bit more before I speak.
thankyou
In school systems, there is something called the "Eight Keys of Excellence." One of those keys is "Speaking with good purpose." Teachers and students alike are reminded to make sure when you say something, you are saying it with a good purpose in mind. We are reminded us of this, too, in Ephesians 4:29 (NIV) "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." If we all try to build each other up, according to our needs, to benefit, instead of tearing down, it would renew our joy and be pleasing to God. There would be much less of the pain you are illustrating, Deon. Great article!
Page 1 of 1 Comment Pages
