Negative Commentary
Brothers and sisters, do not slander
one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks
against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it,
but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one
who is able to save and destroy. But you – who are you to judge your neighbor?
–
James 4:11-12
He’s the new person in the room. He seems out of place
as others show him around. He’s trying to be friendly. To him, apparently,
being friendly means talking about his bosses in an ugly sort of way.
Do you know someone like him? There just always seems
to be someone who never has anything good to say about someone else. They
especially don’t like anyone in a position of authority at work. They have that
“us” against “them” mentality that only leads to division.
That’s always seemed so sad to me. We see it in all
areas of life. There are some pretty sad people who can only feel good about
themselves if they’re putting someone else down. I’ve always wondered what made
them so insecure. Have you ever considered that?
We are so filled with our opinions these days. I know.
It sounds hypocritical coming from someone who writes an opinion column every
day. But there is that line between expressing an opinion and seriously trying
to hurt someone and destroy their reputation just to prove you can.
We see people use that excuse of “my opinion” every
time they want to judge and spread lies. Certainly, it’s their right. I do
believe in free speech. But just because it’s their right, doesn’t mean they
should do it.
Not everything we think needs to be expressed with
words to anyone else. Some things are best shared only with God. He’s pretty
good at keeping secrets and giving excellent advice. Others aren’t always good
at either.
As for those who share their opinions, do you believe
their words? If someone says something ugly about someone you know, do you
believe it? Do you let another person’s opinion cloud your own opinion of the
person being discussed? Or, maybe, you think a little bit less of the one talking
ugly about someone else?
We have endured so much finger-pointing and name
calling in our country in recent years. I wonder sometimes when we forgot to be
civil, to be kind, to be truthful. Because, honestly, truth has very little to
do with the political rhetoric that comes from the mouths of so many
Christians.
We have become obsessed with our own financial
agendas. We condemn anyone who isn’t like us. We cling to what we think is
ours. And we spread false statements that “sound” right just because we can.
Just like the new man on the job. He’s not winning any
friends. And he’s not starting out with a good reputation. Because anyone who
talks about someone else behind their back, especially when the comments are
mean and hateful, will talk about you in exactly the same way. Count on it.
Learn to walk away, to change the subject, or to
defend the person being slandered. You don’t have to be part of the problem and
maybe, one person at a time, you can be part of the change.
