Several years ago I wrote a post entitled: Words Unfit To Print. I revisted that post recently and felt it was probably a good idea to ponder my own words. I wonder if there are those who find themselves struggling with what is acceptable to print, but more-so, what a person needs to say while balancing what one should not say.
Of late, I have found that when we are accused of specific things, and are wrongly perceived, our first reaction to diffuse the stick of dynamite placed in our pathway and the paths of others, is one of defense. We defend ourselves. We do that in several ways. We try to pull the fuse that has been lit. Then we gather others to our side to defend our actions. Then we go on the offense. We circumvent what others say by saying things to make ourselves less "guilty-of-charges".
I do believe that blogging can be one of the most destructive things on earth, with the exception of Facebook. The world has entered a new age with multi-media and social-media. Things which use to be said in private, dealt with in private, has become completely public. Much of what we might never have voiced in a face-to-face, is easily squeezed out of the proverbial toothpaste tube with no way to squish it back in. Many areas of disagreement that were once settled over a cup of coffee, or private sidebar discussion, are now displayed in the living-rooms and office laptops for all the world to witness.
Blogging provides the perfect outlet for an instantaneous "letter-to-the-editor/writer". That letter then invites the next response. Admittedly, I have hastily written a few of those myself and been on the receiving end of a response. Some warranted, some unwarranted. However, if we are going to jump into any frying pan in life, we must accept the fact that we are liable to get burned in the sizzling fat. Clearly, the best way to avoid blisters is to stay out of the pan. In fact, sometimes the pan is so hot, it is best to station oneself far beyond the fryer, or chance an errant hot oil hitting your hand or popping you in the eye.
So, what is the best thing a person can do? Stop entering conversations--whether invited or uninvited? Stop thinking our viewpoint is necessary to a conversation? Refrain from opining?
Let anyone say anything, write anything? Stop challenging opinions? Stop debating issues with others whether or not the issue is germane to us or those we love? Stop reading blogs? Let the world do what it wants to do without any input? Ignore unseemly stuff? Refuse to wallow with pigs? Just keep your toes clean and stay away from pig-pens? Do not hold anyone accountable for their views and actions? Keep your thoughts to yourself?
Scripture offers muliple instruction on controlling our tongue, our thoughts, our attitude, our spirit. Several bloggers I know have given some really sage advice on these things through the years. I have written multiple posts--most of which have received little attention. When a person is a peacemaker or an encourager, we tend to have less company in the midst of strife, struggle, and sour situations. That does not mean others are not reading or hearing our words. Nor does it mean our words of wisdom and admonition return void upon a hearer's or reader's mind. It just means, we follow what the Lord leads us to say, then leave the fall-out and the consequence of our seed-sowing, watering, and fertilizing to Christ for manifestation of obedience to Him. I am not the Holy Spirit; I'm merey an ambassador.
I shall not grow weary in well-doing. I shall not faint in the day of adversity. I shall choose this day Whom I shall serve. I shall do all I can to live at peace. So does the Lord want from me?
"He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" Micah 6:8
"DO justice? love kindness? walk humbly with your God? How does one "do" justice and condone the unjust? How does one "love" kindness and behave unkindly? How does one "walk" humbly with God and run proudly with man? It's quite a balancing act, isn't it? What is "good" to me, may be totally bad to another.
Search me, O, God and know my thoughts. Give me discernment in what is wise, what is good, kind and just. Help me walk in that discernment with humility before You. selahV
