“Thou shalt not kill.” Exodus 20:13
Which of these adages do you espouse?
“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me” or “The pen
is mightier than the sword”. The first of these sayings was very popular on the
school playground when I was younger. The second derived much more meaning as I
grew up. The reality is words do have an impact; words can leave as many scars
and do as much damage as a physical weapon for much longer (Proverbs 18:8). A
person’s psyche is just as real as their physical tangible self, and more sensitive
to injury. In speaking to what lay at the foundation of keeping the
commandments Jesus said: “whosoever is angry with his brother without as
cause”, “whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca (O empty one, or worthless)”
is guilty of breaking this commandment (Matthew 5:21, 22).
School yard teasing when I was in school
seem to be less personal and not as relentless as what we see currently
happening in schools, online and sadly, also in churches. However, they still
had an effect. Repeated ridicule modifies the way one sees one’s self and the
value he or she places on his or her life, thereby impacting the choices made
for the future (Proverbs 26:20). As children of God, bought with the blood of
Jesus our lives are of immeasurable worth, regardless of looks, parentage, education,
or life choices (1 Corinthians 6:20; 7:23). We see this beautifully illustrated
in the life of Mary Magdalene. Jesus freed her from the torment of seven
different demons, she lived a life none of us would speak of in “polite society”.
But because Jesus treated her with the respect His blood bought, she could
raise her head in the world and live to serve her Saviour (Luke 8:2; Matthew
26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; Luke 7:36-50; DA 566-568; John 19:25; Mark 16:9; John
20:11-18).
Likewise, God does not expect us to shame,
ridicule or embarrass anyone, for any reason (Leviticus 19:16; Proverbs 6:16-19;
Ephesians 4:32). Yes, it is our duty to counsel, admonish and encourage each
other in the right path to take; and this must be done in love, not bitterness
(Matthew 28:19, 20; Ephesians 4:31, 32; Colossians 3:16; 2T 18.2). We are our
brothers’ keepers, and in that position, it is our duty not to drive individuals
away from the Saviour with our hypocrisy and self-righteousness (2T 52.1). We
are to help each other find and stay on the straight and narrow path of
obedience to the will of our Heavenly Father (Matthew 7:14, 21-23; EW 14.1; 1T
612).
In Love
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