“You’re fat!”
“You’re stupid!”
“I hate you!”
These are just few of the words that are tossed around far too often in our culture. Recently I’ve been thinking over how the Bible talks about the power of our words. I’ve been increasingly concerned over the lack of compassion and empathy in our society. As I grow and learn, I’ve come to realize that it’s the small things that matter the most. One of the ‘little’ things that is occurring far too often is a willingness to demean and humiliate other people. As I pray and think, I’m coming to realize just how insidious these acts really are.
In the book of Genesis we are given quite possibly one of the most profound explanations for the existence of man. We are told that when God created the world, He set aside an entire day for the creation of man. We are told that man was created from dust, the most humble of building blocks. God takes dust and then does something truly remarkable, He breathes into it. Don’t skip over this vital lesson. God created man in a deeply unique way, He imparted His own spirit into the first man, Adam. This means that every single one of us was born unique and important in the eyes of the Creator.
Our modern culture has done virtually everything to destroy the identity of man. Every attempt has been made to demean, humiliate, divide and polarize us all. Make no mistake about what’s going on here, this is one of the darkest spiritual attacks of our time. As believers of the Bible, we are all well aware that Scripture teaches us that we engaged in a spiritual battle over our souls. Every day we experience temptations and distractions. Every day we can turn on the news and witness the results of what happens when man remains in their sin and rebellions. War, terror, and chaos all on a constant loop. I’ve heard no end of debate over taking the ten commandments from the courthouses or what have you. Terrible as that was, I believe what we are dealing with today is a much deeper issue than politics.
I personally do not pay enough attention to my words. I am entirely too quick with my tongue, far too quick to demean what God has created. The Bible says;
So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.” (James 3:5-6)
In a world where kindness, compassion and empathy are in a dwindling supply, I believe it is vital that as followers of the Bible,, we must remember that we are called to a better way. The hatred, bitterness and strife that pervades our world is not of God. I believe that it grieves the Creator to see His creation spiral into this cycle of darkness and destruction. More specifically, I believe that when we carelessly insult and demean others, this also grieves the Creator.
Right now in an effort to protect our rights of free speech, there is an increasing tolerance for being careless with our words. I know this because that’s exactly what’s happened in my life. I confess that I have thrown all sorts of words and insults around believing that I was ‘standing up for my right to free speech’. ‘No one can tell me what to say’, that sort of thing. I’ll always believe in everyone’s right to free speech, even if it’s something I disagree with. Yet I believe that I am responsible for my actions, no matter how important I may think it is.
As a follower of Jesus, I am called to a higher standard than what others may view as ‘fine’ or ‘acceptable’. Bear in mind that the Bible never uses these terms. For the most part, we use words like ‘fine’ or ‘acceptable’ to justify something that we know isn’t OK. I don’t want to just ‘get by’, especially in the times we live in now.
As 2025 comes into full swing I believe there’s only one ‘resolution’ that truly matters. I want my actions to reflect the Greatest Man who ever lived. I want my life and my words to be an example of Jesus’ teachings. I don’t think that all of the sudden I’ll become George Whitefield or what have you. I just want my words to reflect the image of God. If humans are created in His image, then it is a terrible sin for me to demean others in any way.
