The volume of public “discourse” is very high right now, accompanied by rancor, also at a high pitch.
There is a lot of fire, but much less illumination.
My reaction has been to limit my involvement, believing I cannot make things better. I’ve heard that a lot of people, on various “sides” are withdrawing from social media for a while.
Speak the Truth in Love
This has made me think about how Christians are to relate to other believers.
We are to speak the truth in love. (Ephesians 4:15)
It really isn’t hard, although it may take some courage, to speak the truth (as we see it).
But it takes the Holy Spirit working in us, and some skill, and some courage, to speak the truth in love.
We’ve all seen, and perhaps experienced, someone hammering at a fault, leaving the person in tatters.
On the other side, it’s common to ignore the problem, focusing instead on keeping a smooth relationship. This is an example of confusing love with tolerance.
We don’t love someone when we let them persist in a fault, in a sin, never hearing a reprimand or getting guidance and help to do better.
And people are much less apt to listen to a rebuke that isn’t presented with love.
Silence can be a Sin
Too often, we are just silent, seeing silence as the easy way out.
Silence, however, can be a sin.
For I have told [Eli] that I am about to judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knew, because his sons brought a curse on themselves and he did not rebuke them. (1 Samuel 3:13)
So now what?
Through the Scriptures, I’ve heard rebuke from the Lord, and know I need to do better. I know this will be a matter of prayer in the coming days.
What about you?
