Responding like Jesus

We are certainly living in turbulent times. Iran is having protests, North Korea is on war footing, Russia and Israel have experienced terror attacks, and America is facing a retail apocalypse. Worse, there is mud slinging, a battle of words over everything under the sun. From Twitter to facebook to the Golden Globes speeches (Oprah Winfrey's speech has lit Twitter ablaze) and beyond, there seems to be endless activism and the comments sections of any site become dens of sentiment that stir the pot of every subject from racism to religion and rule and beyond. We read words, and suddenly we feel compelled to dust off our swords, to respond in kind, to defend, to fight. Many are weary of the scandals and the latest expose of celebrity or person of interest. To this I have something to say. Better words, than swords. In Henry VIII court, anyone who disagreed, offended, and said remark Henry did not like was imprisoned in Tower of London and executed via the chopping block. In the Middle Ages, people lived in such fear they wore their armor (chainmail) in their sleep in case someone should assail them. In the Wild West, one wrongful look could end you up with a belly full of lead. While we may tire of people going at each other with words on social media, and etc; we should remember, better words than swords. It is better people experience harsh words, and perhaps lose their job, than lose their head, be filled with lead from pistol, or be tortured in dungeon for 'insubordination.'

I then venture another answer to criticism and hyperbole of these times. Rather than respond with more harmful comments in reprisal or a volley, I urge we behave like Christ, who before accusers was silent, "Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. And Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside he sat with the guards to see the end. Now the chief priests and the whole council^[a] were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, ⁶⁰ but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward and said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.’” And the high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?”^{[b] 63} But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death.” Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, " (Matthew 26:57-67). Jesus did not defend Himself, because he knew his accuser only had one mind, to find Him guilty and condemn Him, they didn't want a debate or genuine discussion and trial. In contrast, Jesus does show with a more amenable and affable Pontius Pilate, that if person is seeking the truth, you may respond, "Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” ³⁸ Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”" (John 18:28-40). Jesus only speaks not to defend Himself, but to respond to genuine questions, not accusations, hyperbole, and demonization of His character. And when our enemies weither political, social, or actual sling mud at us, let us instead embrace and love our enemy by responding with healing. It is easy to let their words stir you to become Boanerges, a son of thunder (Mark 3:17), and you may want to call down the fire (Luke 9;54). The problem is that Jesus rebuked this (Luke 9:55), and urges us instead to take another path. Certainly our Lord and God Jesus Christ will come back to judge the wicked, unbelieving, and recompense all who stayed His enemies (Revelation 19:11-16, Isaiah 34:1-18); but His desire is that everyone be saved and believe in Him as Son of God and LORD (2 Peter 3:9, 1 Timothy 2:4, John 6:40, 1 John 4:15, Romans 10:9-10). Christ desires mercy, and then judgement will be reserved for those who refuse His mercy, love, and eternal salvation. We must learn from the WORD of GOD, Jesus Christ to respond to words of people in truth and love, "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ," (Ephesians 4:15), to be kind, "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32), and to remember, "Do not judge, or you will be judged.For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you think of saying to your friend, 'Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,' when you can't see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend's eye." (Matthew 7:1-5). Now Jesus isn't saying don't judge at all, He wasn't a proponent of anarchy, but it was warning that if you heart is harsh, and not full of His love and compassion, and willing to merciful if it is proper to do so, then you shall reap harsh judgement in response.

I have be in middle of, and witnessed the vicious discourse between people online. I have seen words be used like swords, cutting at souls of people for the point and for sake of how someone personally feels. While I love lively debate, not name calling, I think often how we could respond to someone very cruel composition, and I think in this day of age when responding to a fire become a larger of fire, that the best plan is Christ's example, either respond in silence, meaning don't even acknowledge it if you know the person be a fool (Proverbs 9:8, Proverbs 26:4-5), or respond as Christ would, in Love and Truth, Grace and Truth. You can be gracious and kind while making your point, and argument, even if the other person is not; and if they exasperate your forbearance, then resort to silence. Do not worry about if they take this as victory, that they think their point won and you backed off, conceding to their point, you will know this not to be true, God will know this not to be true, and what is more important is your emotional health, that you regenerate and master your response, not worrying if they win an argument, for you will have won a greater battle, one that few do; mastering the tongue, "For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body." (James 3:2). 


I do not intend to tell anyone to be silent all the time, no for as saying goes, "All that is needed for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing." I am not creating a Law here, there is a time and place to confront, correct, rebuke, reprove, and even excommunicate (2 Timothy 3:16, 1 Corinthians 5:5, 1 Corinthians 5:11-12). The goal I am aiming for with this post is to help people find a Christ-like means of dealing with vitriol and constant comments that seeks to carve large holes in people's hearts (minds and emotions). Weapons Christ gives us is silence (don't dain to respond, especially if you can tell person only wants to pick a fight, and make you look bad and distract from discussion) or respond in love and truth, and as you make your argument don't damage it by acting uncouth or cruel back towards your opponent in the discussion. Instead be the gentleman or gentlewoman, behave as Christ, looking to His example. Ask our Lord Jesus who lives in you (Colossians 1:27, 1 Corinthians 3:16) to help you know when to discern to be silent and when to speak; should you master this according to Holy Spirit, you shall escape much woe in this life, and in next (Matthew 12:36 ESV). Amen.