April 10, 2019

Right Or Wrong?

The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. – Romans 8:6

The rant was unexpected and hard. No. It wasn’t directed at me but I was shocked just the same. She had fixed her mind on one thing and all the other things had somehow become attached to it.

That one thing was a “very nice man” who needed to lose his job. Why? Because he didn’t do enough work to justify a full-time position. I spoke truth gently. She didn’t want to hear it but I said the words anyway. The man did many things of which she was unaware. He is a servant. But it also is a pointless thing. His job is secure and she is wasting time and energy being angry about it.

She has convinced herself everything in one church service will be better if this man goes away. The committee that oversees the service has apparently devoted countless hours to discussing this. I now understand why the service is stagnant. The people who lead it are too busy pointing fingers to accomplish anything.

We all do this. We focus our minds on what’s wrong. We decide that something or someone else is to blame. We don’t do anything different. We don’t see ourselves as needing to change. We aren’t the problem we tell ourselves. We also aren’t the solution.

When the mind is focused on the flesh we allow evil to take control. We focus on ourselves, ignoring gratitude and rightness, and head straight down a path headed away from God. Every time. Where are you headed?

December 13, 2018

Bad Behavior

But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of his marriage to Herodias, his brother’s wife, and all the other evil things he had done, Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison.

– Luke 3:19-20

We don’t want anyone to point out our sin to us. We get defensive. We blame them. We’re good at pointing fingers but don’t you dare say anything about our own behavior.

That extends to others. This political climate we’re in amazes and distresses me. A common defense is we can’t hold one person accountable for their sins because of the sins of another person. What’s that old cliché? Two wrongs don’t make a right. Someone else’s wrong behavior doesn’t justify your behavior or the behavior of someone you support in the political arena.

How many times have we heard a child explain their behavior with “everyone” was doing it? It’s as though going along with the crowd makes wrong behavior okay. That excuse isn’t limited to kids. Adults do it too.

Think about the excuses you or others offer up: Everyone was drinking; Everyone was padding their expense accounts; everyone was making derogatory comments; everyone was doing whatever they wanted.

Herod was no exception. He was in charge. How dare John the Baptist – or anyone – question whatever he wanted to do? He wanted his brother’s wife. It didn’t matter what John said. It didn’t matter what God said. It didn’t matter what anyone thought or said. It was all about what Herod wanted.

John the Baptist was brave enough to call him out on it. John refused to remain silent even though it cost him his life

Do you remain silent when you see wrong doing? We don’t want to get involved. We judge. It’s not that. We just don’t want to suffer for it. We’d rather voice our opinions, our judgments, behind someone’s back or as a political rant, than to actually go face-to-face with someone.

We don’t want to be criticized or condemned for offering up our “opinions.” A few months ago a friend once again shared and commented on ugly political views. There’s no truth to the allegations she shares but she believes it. That’s her choice. But someone else called her out on it. They were nice but they asked why her comments were so hateful and mean. They wanted to know why she thought it was okay.

She offered up the standard opinion response. I admired the woman who challenged her. She is braver than I. Or maybe I know this woman well enough to know that only Jesus can change her heart. She is a wonderful Christian woman, with a good heart, who prays and tries to live as Jesus lived. Until it comes to politics.

But here’s something else I noticed: After the exchange, she stopped sharing so much ugliness. Oh, every now and then, she’ll share something hateful but mostly she doesn’t anymore. I hope it’s because the Holy Spirit convicted her.

It’s not about opinions. Everyone has a right to their own opinions. It’s about passing on untruths that are mean and bigoted and justifying bad behavior as your opinion. It’s like Herod believing because he was the ruler, he could do what he knew was wrong.

When someone starts pointing the finger at someone else, pause before you chime in. It could just be that the one full of condemnation is only trying to cover up their own sins.

October 16, 2018

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.

March 5, 2018

Treat Each Other With Respect

But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. – James 3:8-9

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

– Genesis 1:27

There it was again. The words slammed “liberals” this time. Not to worry. He slams “gays,” gun-control advocates, Democrats, and just about everyone who dares to disagree with his opinion. Then he turns right around and proclaims Jesus as Lord and Savior. Does anyone else see the hypocrisy in this?

He is a nice man. You’d like him if you met him. You really would. At least you would if you stayed away from politics. He just seems to lose all reason when it comes to his conservative agenda. He is not alone.

Honestly, I don’t care what your opinions happen to be. The First Amendment – everyone remembers that one I hope – guarantees the right to free speech. What bothers me are the mean attacks aimed at the opposing side. What happened to civility? What happened to staying on point and keeping ourselves focused on the issues? When did it all get to be so personal that we believe it’s okay to viciously attack someone, then proclaim God is good?

Every person was created in God’s image. I believe that because it’s what the Bible says. God loves equally the liberal and conservative person. God loves all of us, whether we acknowledge that love or not. So how can we look on someone created in God’s image and condemn that person all the while claiming to love Him?

I’ve had so many explain it this way: It’s my opinion. I’m entitled to my opinion. Yes, you are. The honest debate helps all of us be better people and find solutions to the problems our nation faces. Or, at least, that’s how it’s supposed to work in a democracy.

We look around and see hatred bubbling up everywhere. It’s always someone else’s fault. Then we start bashing people who disagree with us. It’s not about the issue, it’s about those “stupid” people who don’t think like we do.

The one thing we all seem to agree on is how bad Congress has become. The members can’t seem to get anything done. I wonder why? Could it be because they’re too busy catering to a shifting political agenda and their own pocketbooks to actually focus on honest debate and true solutions. That might require compromise. It might cause a loud backlash from voters. No one wants to believe that someone on the other side might actually make a good point now and again.

Congress is inept because we demand they be so. Those politicians look at us – loud, ugly children so intent on getting our own way that we can’t remember how to share – and decide to be just the same. When are we going to actually start living the faith we so loudly proclaim?

Jesus said to love each other. There is no place in Christianity for hatred. Whenever you point ugly fingers at those who disagree, you’ve pointed an ugly finger at someone made in God’s image. Stop it.

Look in the mirror and fix yourself. Choose words that focus on the issues, and not the person you disagree with. In all things, at all times, remember that person is someone God loves. Treat him with kindness and respect. Live the faith you so loudly proclaim. We’ll all be better people, a better nation, because of it.