Rules of Engagement – Verbal Abuse

Greetings Dear Reader,

It seems that the political climate becomes more tumultuous daily.  It is in the news and on the street corners everywhere.  We live in a world where expressing your views is both your right and privilege.  During the protests last winter I was impressed with the good behaviour of the young college students who gathered at the capitol.  My friends who are police officers commented on how good almost everyone was.

What troubles me is that I know people who are Christ followers who have said terrible and unkind things about people on both sides of the issues.  We are always to speak the truth.  We are also always to do so in love.  We are to disagree with injustice while still showing respect to our elected officials.  The world in which Christ said these things was much more brutal.  He still managed to speak the truth in humility and love.

I get that there is emotion involved in the issues.  I understand that whether perceived or real injustice is angering to us.  The problem is that we weaken what we say when we do it in an unjust manner.  Saying anything abusive about another person is wrong no matter what they have done.  We need to silence ignorance through right behaviour.  Verbally abusing those you oppose does not lead to cooperation.

For those who follow Christ there are rules of engagement.  Even if those we oppose disobey them we are bound by them.  Even if we consider the opposition our enemy we have clear rules to follow.  Love, grace, and forgiveness are to mark all that we say and do.  Humility and kindness are to be the things that direct our words.  I cannot mistreat anyone, even if they never know it, and claim to be following Christ.  I am free to state what I think about any issue but there are rules of engagement. 

1Pe 2:23 Christ never verbally abused those who verbally abused him. When he suffered, he didn't make any threats but left everything to the one who judges fairly.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store."