So much of what we think we know isn't true at all...regarding others, ourselves, our situations / circumstances, our economy, the current presidential candidates and even our favorite football team [its players, coaches and strategies]. Go Gators!! Coaching from the couch might make us feel better, but doesn't usually offer informed solutions.
I kind of pride myself in knowing a bit about plants and gardening, even though I'm not doing much in those areas these days. Not long ago, I was discussing some plants with a noted landscape professional. I pointed to a plant and called it a ___________. He immediately retorted back, "No, that's a __________." Being confident in what I thought I knew, I asked if he was sure. I probably shouldn't have done that.... Obviously, I was wrong.
So much of what we think comes filtered to us through a multiplicity of sources and generally never due to direct communication or linking with the person, organization or issue in question.
If the truth were known, we often speak "out of school" for most things not in close proximity to our direct sphere of influence or living environment.
When we think about this to its logical end, you can see why the scripture speaks so strongly about what we say. James is particularly strong [ruthless, actually] on this and reveals why..."the tongue is a fire...igniting the course of our life and set on fire by hell." Wow...that's pretty hard to hear and as I think back over my own life remembering what I say, I'm profoundly compelled to "shut up". The Scripture says: ...quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; ...he who has knowledge, spares his words...is of a calm spirit; where there is an abundance of words, transgression is unavoidable; just to name a few.
It's so easy to make a value judgement regarding a person / situation apart from direct involvement and then share our assumptions or myoptic gleanings with others? How many times have you heard said: "Don't you think so-and-so did this (whatever this might be)because...? Or: "I think this thing happened because...." And then, guess what? We project something onto the situation birthed out of our own limited understanding and many times, that thought is passed on and, as we say, "sticks". Inevitably, irreparable damage is done.
Frequently it is incumbant upon us to discern and respond to things with limited information. That's part of living in this complex world. But it's not necessary to say everything that we may think.
Lord, this is painful to write...a mirror I don't want to look into. But Colossians 4:6 exhorts us:
"...Let your speech always be seasoned with grace (gracious), seasoned as it were with salt, so that you may know how to respond to each person (or situation appropriately - my words).
Lord, thanks for your patience and helpful words to me in these things.
Indebted,
Mitch
