UNWANTED MESSAGES

Gangs recently “tagged” a medical clinic about a mile from my home. Within a couple days, maintenance staff temporarily painted over it, Because this was winter, they'd have to wait for warmer weather to re-do the whole wall. I won't even try to guess what that would cost the clinic in paint and manpower. But every time I passed this building, I thought of people whose anger problems lead to verbal graffiti in the form of harsh words at or about others, even those who try to help them.

Such behavior is called “slander,” defined as “the utterance of false charges or misrepresentations which defame and damage another's reputation.” In the original Greek of the New Testament, “slander” is translated from diabolos, meaning “slanderous” and “accusing falsely.” (The Greek word may ring a bell as close to the name “Diablo,” given to bad characters in fiction or drama.) Slanderous behavior, Paul wrote, will escalate before Christ's return to judge the world (1 Timothy 3:11). Concordances defining “slander” connect it with gossip, lying, perverse tongues, unwholesome talk, bitter envy, busybodies and more.

The Bible also portrays its opposite behavior. Psalm 15 commends the person who "has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellow man” (v. 3)

Proverbs offers hope for the those wounded by slander: “When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him” (Proverbs 16:7). That verse encouaged me regarding the situation of someone with a good heart who was wounded by slander conveyed in person and via social media. What they endured was like emotional graffiti on their true, better self. Of that situation, the Lord reminded me: 

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:11-12)

Because my neighborhood's graffiti landed on a rehab facility, I thought about how the Lord can “rehab” the heart that practices slander. Scripture is one powerful “rehab” tool; a chapter-in-day in Proverbs, for example, exposes the reader to dozens of warnings about this abusive habit.

Another help—worth posting to a computer screen or the bathroom mirror—is the life challenge to think first before speaking. THINK is the acrostic for messages that are True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary, or Kind. Yes, the behavior that Jesus modeled for us.

DOES GOOD=GOOD?

I wasn’t sure I entirely agreed with this décor sign for sale at my local crafts store:

Do good and good will come to you.

I remembered the similar thought in Proverbs 16:7: When a man’s ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies to live at peace with him.

One of my former pastors used that verse when preaching from Genesis 33 about the feud between Jacob and Esau. After many years in exile, Jacob had come home and was about to have a dreaded reunion with his twin, Esau, whom he had deceived out of the birthright. The meeting could result in his and his family’s deaths or enslavement. It could have been a rated “R” Hollywood moment with lots of violence. But they met amicably. Enemies at peace.

Few of us will face such a tense moment, but I’ve had my unwanted share of encounters with angry people. Proverbs 16:7 is generally true, but not always. I try to be a person of peace—to do good. But I’ve nursed wounds from emotionally broken people.That’s why I’m glad the apostle Peter wrote such practical letters to new churches. They, too, needed advice on getting along in an angry world. In sharing the wisdom he learned at the feet of Jesus, Peter addressed living with grace.

Good people suffer hard times, Peter wrote, “so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed” (1 Peter 1:7). In other words, the end of the story hasn’t been published yet. Plus, he adds, persecution should prompt some self-examination: “Rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind” (2:1). It’s all part of the process of being made fit for God’s kingdom. And even when I’ve examined my heart, sought to make peace with those who oppose me, but am discouraged by their ongoing negatives—I need to remember Christ’s sufferings. The end of the story isn’t yet written.

That comforts me in my interactions with difficult people. I may do good and not get “good” in return. But coals can become diamonds, and Christ-honoring actions won’t go unrewarded. Thus Peter reminded these Christians (and me!) to keep trying to “do good”—to live as representing Christ—so that people “may see your good works and glorify God on the day he visits us” (1 Peter 4:12b).

Which is another, fuller, way of saying, don’t expect instant, wonderful results to your “good works.” It’s not a matter of being good so good can come to you. Rather, it’s walking with Christ in faith, doing “good” in reflecting His character, and trusting Him in this journey to eternity.