In my last article I argued that Christians ought to practice restraint and charity in their discussions with others. I characterized that type of communication as civil and I recognize that is a less than ideal term. I recognized this because Mtngirlsouth asked me the question "Do you think it is uncivil to call people vipers? How about telling them that they serve their father, the devil?" This is a tricky question because I am either to say that Jesus was uncivil and thus my position is lost or I have to say it civil to call people vipers and sons of Satan. That is a delightful trap she set up (and I mean that in a good way) because neither of the conclusions lands me where I ought to stand as a Christian. As a result I felt the need to alter the way I presented my argument.
Being civil is not the goal of the Christian because the definition of civil is one that morphs from community to community. Being civil always carries with it the assumption that a person is trying to simply get along with others and that is of course not the goal of Christianity (even though it is often a result). Christians love others so those others may draw near to God and enter his kingdom as reconciled people. That often requires offending others and even using harsh language. Being civil is not the goal of the Christian but rather conviction, reconciliation, unity, and love.
I believe there are times for harsh speech that seems uncivil. Christians must speak boldly and honestly about the truth of Jesus Christ. However, this never means we are to be unloving in our speech. If a Christian speaks harshly and offends it must be motivated by love and done in a way that is very obviously meant to convict a person and bring them to repentance so they may be reconciled to God. Jesus sets a great example for this when he calls the Jewish officials (and only the Jewish officials) a brood of vipers or sons of Satan. Jesus aimed his harsh words at those "closest" to God. Jesus even calls his closest disciple Peter "Satan" at one point. The Apostle Paul did the same thing. Paul was harsh with the church and soft with those outside the church. We are wise to adopt the same approach. We have harshness for the religious but gentle and bold truth for the pagan. With that in mind let's examine Jesus' harsh words and try to discover what they mean for us in the way we discuss truth with others. The passages being referenced here are Matthew 12:33-37 and Matthew 23.
Jesus was never out of line (even if it would not have been seen as civil) and a big reason is because he was right. He knew the hearts of those people just as he knew his Father. Not only that but Jesus is quoting scripture that is familiar to the officials. He's holding them accountable to the scriptures. He isn't using random terms to insult but rather specific biblical terms to convict. That's a huge key to remember. Jesus is focused on reconciliation. Whenever he tells those religious officials they are vipers he brings it back to sin, judgment, and repentance. The first time this happens is with John the Baptizer in Matthew 3:7 (and Luke 3) and it is followed by baptism. That's not a coincidence. Jesus and those who have his Spirit (like John and Paul) are intentional and wise with their words. They call a spade a spade so that it may become something better. These words are always for the sake of instruction and reconciliation.
Honest and bold speech is important and shouldn't be dismissed so that folks can get along. People won't get along. Does that mean I should call people I disagree with sons of Satan or vipers because they are uncivil or incorrect? Maybe because I'm upset with them? No. Does that mean using that type of language is always wrong? No. There is a time and place for that language and it takes great wisdom to know that time and place. Not only that but if those words don't serve the purpose of reconciliation and repentance then it is nothing but harmful and unloving. These words by John, Jesus, and Paul are not meant to tear down but to build up and they are used on very specific people in very specific instances. Nothing in these passages gives reason to believe the Christian can be insulting or unkind to others in daily discussion. This is tough love in speech form and tough love can only be given to those who share a deep solidarity with the corrector.
Jesus was wise enough to know we would abuse this example for selfish purposes and that we needed more instruction on this and thus he taught us "You have heard that the ancients were told, 'YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER' and 'Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.' But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, 'You good-for-nothing,' shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, 'You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering" (Matthew 5:21-24).
So we need to be careful with our speech. After all, we are not Jesus (or John or Paul) and we don't have the wisdom and discernment he does. We must speak words of truth that have the potential to breed life, repentance, and reconciliation. We can't be careless. We must be intentional about our language for it reveals our heart and it will be a way in which we are judged. If we are harsh then we better make sure we're completely on target and motivated by love.
Jesus said it well when he stated, "Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil. But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned" (Matthew 12:33-37). Finally, let us remember that after Jesus he spoke gave himself up for those he spoke to, sacrificing himself for their sake. The discussion ended in selfless love. His victory looked like defeat but we affirm that love won.
No comments:
Post a Comment