"Must we always be killing each other?"
At Abner's suggestion, a contest arises with a dozen men from each side engaging in combat to determine whose warriors are strongest. The twelve men of Benjamin, representing Saul, come against the twelve men representing David. A battle ensues as "Each one grabbed his opponent by the hair and thrust his sword into the other's side so that all of them died." (2 Samuel 2:16a) Twelve for twelve, such senseless killing. Sadly, this now results in an all-out war with widespread bloodshed.
What started as "sport" becomes tragic, unnecessary loss. Violence yields victims.
While contemplating how we "kill" others today, just rearrange one letter in the word "sword" and you have "words". More than brandishing a tool of steel, James describes the tongue as a flame of fire, a whole word of wickedness, being set ablaze by hell itself. Proverbs tells us that the power of life and death is in the tongue. Destructive words slay the spirit.
I heard a story once of a suicide note that was found. It simply read, "They said..." Apparently this young person could no longer face the cruelty and accusations that tore at her heart. The childhood rhyme we often chanted is only half true. Sticks and stones may break our bones but words can deeply hurt us. Our mouth can become a weapon of Satan that leaves a trail of devastation greater than any force of nature.
One of the most recent senseless wars I've witnessed has been the ongoing debate regarding the wearing of masks, an aftermath of the COVID pandemic. Just a couple of days ago a dear friend was reprimanded and belittled because she chose to wear a mask into a medical environment. I feel like shouting, "Who cares?" If my friend chose, for whatever reason to wear her mask, she wasn't affecting anyone else, so I don't know why she was verbally attacked. The saddest part of all to me, is the cutting words came from a sister in the Lord.
David in Psalm 55, distraught because of the noise of the enemy and the clamour of the wicked, discovers the murmuring and taunting isn't arising from foe but friend, compounding his anguish. As Abner so wisely highlighted in his remarks, bitterness is then often the outcome of an assault. It is a poison that must be starved, or it will bring death. Meditating on hurts feeds emotions that grow into grudges. Feelings are hurt. Friendships are lost. Forgiveness is withheld.
Fighting against opposing teams is one thing, but within the body of Christ it harms the testimony of our Saviour. John 13:35 reads, "By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." Two chapters later in John 15:13 the apostle writes, "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." Yes, a killing occurs, but it's not of another, it is of self.
Dear Christ-followers, must we always be killing each other? Words aren't neutral. Even if you think you are right and your tone not accusatory in the least, stop and consider how what you are about to say may impact the recipient. Yes, some people have softer, tender natures, but let's avoid breaking a fragile heart with thoughtless words that are better left unsaid.
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