A United State House member calls the President a liar; a tennis star explodes into an expletive-laced tirade against a line judge; and a famous rapper rushes the stage of an award ceremony, grabs the microphone from the winner, and proclaims another should have won.
The surprise is not that these people were offensive, but that the offenses occurred in a forum where there was a breach of etiquette—they were uncivil. The USA Today journalist quotes an expert who claims the increase in uncivil behavior is related to the Internet, which has changed how people talk to each other. With the speed of light, anyone can give vent to their feelings! And this “say-what-you-think-at-all-costs” manner of expression is finding its way into people’s conversation and conduct.
Two thousand years ago, New Testament writers Paul, Peter and Jude warned against a breakdown of civility in the last days—self-willed, despising government, and speaking evil of those in authority (Titus 1:7, 2 Peter 2:10; Jude 8). A “self-willed” person is one who asserts his own rights but is reckless to those of others. “Speaking evil” is a compound verb: hurt + reputation = to defame.
We must watch our hearts lest we become mired in the attitude of the day. After his description of these uncivil behaviors, Paul says those who are entrusted with God's work must be blameless-not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not violent, loving what is good, self-controlled, subjecting ourselves to the authorities and even praying for them. We are not to malign anyone nor be contentious, but gentle and considerate of all men. (Titus 1:7-8; 3:1-2)
Let these recent uncivil events remind us to us to remain vigilant against the spirit of incivility that is in the world today.
A great reminder Greg! Even as we see things turn directions we don't like, we must be blameless! We cannot lose our witness before men. We must be an example of Christ. What will attract the world to us, or stir up jealousy in the hearts of the Jews if aren't salt and light? What will spurn the world to become like us if we in fact are already like them?
ReplyDeleteThanks David. I am also reminded that watching too much FOX or CNN or listening to too much Rush Limbaugh or Shawn Hannity, I can slide into the same kind of thinking and communicating.
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