Coarse, that is.
I've been thinking a lot lately about talking. Is that as weird as it sounds? Well, either way, it's been happening. In particular, I've been thinking about the words which I use. More than is usually the case, I seem to have been putting my foot in my mouth, saying things that could be interpreted as being rude or uncaring. Constant self-examination is something I struggle with, so I try to curb these thoughts as much as I can, as they are usually unhealthy. In the midst of all of that introspection, however, God pointed out something in my communication that does, indeed, need to die.
Cynicism. Specifically of the sarcastic variety.
I've noticed that cynicism has become an increasingly wheel-house-eque structure in the tiny little village that is my sense of humor. You have the library of slight wit, the public square of hyperbole, and then the ever-increasing PA system of cynicism which is beginning to be installed throughout the whole place. At first, this didn't seem like too terribly large a deal. A great many of my friends (both those who identify as Christians and those who don't) partake in and indeed glorify this type of humor. It seemed to be a way to deal with so many of the frustrating things in this world. It's harder for something to bother you when you've intellectually torn it down into obscurity.
What are the consequences of this, though? On the one hand, this humor is counter to scripture, which commands me to let no coarse word come out of my mouth. Recently, I've been thinking about a consequence of my cynicism which is even more terrifying than denying God's word.
I could be keeping people from coming to know the Lord by my humor.
Cynicism has an interesting effect. It asserts one as being intellectually superior to the thing which is being discussed. This may not seem as something which would be dangerous. If something is silly, or ill-planned, or poorly executed, what is the risk in commenting on the intellectual deficiency of that particular structure?
What about when someone's intellectual inaptitude has to do with God?
I saw a post recently which drove home how dangerous this type of humor (particularly as it relates to faith) can become. An individual within my sphere of relationships mocked a certain person for thanking both God and Jesus in a certain setting. Oh yes, let the hilarity be known for all those who understand this difference, but what about those who don't? What about those who legitimately don't understand the trinity, who find it to be a major stumbling block in their ability to enter into a relationship with God?
Woe to me (and I mean that in the most serious sense possible) if I ever make someone feel, by way of my cynical humor, that they are intellectually barred from learning about the Lord. I honestly think it breaks God's heart when His children use the knowledge which they have gained through prayer and His scripture to make those who do not know the Lord feel lesser, in any way.
This is one of the hardest words I've ever had to post, because it strikes straight to my heart. It requires of me a constant willingness to guard my tongue, to be persistently mindful of all of those who are around me and how they might interpret what I say. This, to me, is incredibly difficult, but I have been convicted of the fact that it is also incredibly necessary.
I'm tired of ignoring the parts of scripture I don't like. I'm tired of cringing every time I read the book of James because the Lord reminds me (with every ounce of His gentle Love, praise be to Him) of just how poorly I control my own tongue. But how hateful of me to put my personal discomfort over the eternal destiny of another's soul. To any reading this, if I have ever made you feel as though you were somehow beyond God based on what I suggested through my language, I plead for your forgiveness. I may not always communicate this truth well, but I truly believe that God desires a relationship with every single person. Never let anything I say in error make you think otherwise.
With His love and grace,
Taylor
No comments:
Post a Comment