Proverbs 15:28
Good people think before they answer, but the wicked speak evil without ever thinking.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I watched an episode of The View recently where one of the guests was a television commentator who has written a new book. I won’t name him here, because I don’t feel he deserves further recognition. I will preface my comments by saying that I understand that controversial talk show guests sell books and boost ratings. But this man made such vile statements about certain people in relation to the events of 9.11 that two of the hosts of The View – Joy Behar and Whoopi Goldberg – stood and left the studio in protest. While they may have used language and behavior that was less than stellar themselves, their visible protest to the wicked statements of this man were the only recourse they felt possible at the moment.
Aside from the fact that what the man said was wrong – and he did somewhat apologize and rephrase his remarks – the basic intent of his statements was evil. This man didn’t necessarily think about what he was saying … at least I hope he didn’t. He didn’t give his answer to the interviewers’ questions any thought … he just spouted off an opinion and comments he thought would be popular among the viewers – or generate controversy. His comments were designed to sell books and promote his own agenda.
Do you know people who do this? Do you know people who make outlandish statements, and when called on them, defend them with comments like, “Well, it’s true,” (whether they know it is or not) or “That’s what I heard!” It’s sort of like the crazy things that are printed on those tabloids sold in the supermarket check-out aisles. You know those claims are ridiculous. You know that those words are designed to sell the rags on which they are printed. You know that the claims are hurtful, absurd, and downright evil. But people still buy these publications – and buy into the lies they contain.
We’re seeing a lot of this in e-mails about the state of our country, politics and politicians, and personal lifestyle choices. We’re hearing a lot of this on those “comedy” shows on cable television. Sadly, we’ve elevated some of those “comedians” to the status of “expert analyst” and begun to actually listen to their opinions. And worse yet, we’re learning from them in many cases – and beginning to speak without thinking, just as they do.
It’s time for us to “get a grip” – on the hand of Jesus. It’s time for us to firmly root ourselves in the word of God and time spent in His presence … to ask for wisdom, discernment, patience and a protective cover over our mouths as we speak. We need to ask God to protect us from the wicked speech and evil thinking of others as Satan attempts to permeate our mind and our heart with it. We should be busy every day asking God to fill us with His love, grace, mercy, kindness, and peace … and to control our every thought and word accordingly.
Quite frankly, more of us need to stand and walk out of the room (albeit quietly and without profanity) when we are confronted with the evil speech of others. At best, we should become confident in the presence of the Holy Spirit in our hearts and lovingly let the person speaking know that we do not agree. I have had to say to others, “I do not agree with you on this,” or “We will have to agree to disagree on this subject and talk about something else.” We do not have to tolerate evil or wicked speech in our presence, but we cannot descend to the level of such talk in an effort to confront it.
Ask God to guide your thoughts and your speech. Ask Him to send the Holy Spirit to fill your heart, guide and protect you as you go about your day. And pray for those who speak evil without thinking. Ask God to change their hearts and minds, to fill them with His presence and goodness … and to give each of us loving, positive thoughts and words to share with others.
©2010 Debbie Robus
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