The Only Words that Matter ...

OK, I have to do this.

In the wake of the tragic shooting in my backyard January 8th - the one that took the life of a federal judge, a 9-year-old girl, four others and critically wounded a U.S. Congresswoman and injuring more than a dozen others - I've been reading about some people's beliefs that the current political "rhetoric" thrown around in some way contributed to the shooting.




I read a recent blog post by a former high-school friend of mine - who is heavily involved in Christian youth ministry - that read "Words Matter." Then, not more than a day later, our county sheriff said in his own way the same thing, blaming hateful rhetoric ("words") on driving this young gunman to shoot innocent people. This drove me to think of Jesus, the original Christian. In the spirit of What Would Jesus Do, I began pondering what is the Christian approach to "rhetoric"?

Well, it's documented that Jesus was very much hated and persecuted - he was arguably the most persecuted man ever to set foot on Earth. (Yes, even more than George W. Bush.) Why? Simply because he preached and demonstrated the Truth of God and it was not understandable to those living by ritualistic religious teachings of the time. He brought healing of sickness and sin; raised the dead; cleansed lepers; and loved everyone - yes, even his enemies, who voiced such vitriolic "rhetoric" at him and behind his back.

Did words matter? In one sense, yes, because they led people to accuse Jesus and crucify him. But did they matter to Jesus' work and life? No; he ignored all of it and just continued about his "Father's business," loving and healing everyone with whom he came into contact, and teaching his disciples how to do their "Father's business" as well. He even healed the right ear of one of his persecutors when one of his disciples raised a sword in defense of him upon Judas' betrayal (see Luke 22:47-54). In effect, he kept his wits about him.

For Jesus, mortal words didn't matter, especially words of hate and violence. The only words that mattered to Jesus - the original Christian - were the Word of God. The Word of God expressed love, eternal life, perfection, the powerlessness of death and sin and sickness. That was all that mattered. And those of us who claim to follow Christ could learn a mighty lesson from Jesus.

Words only matter if we let them have power. But the only words with real power are those that come from the only true power in the universe - God. Any words (and thoughts!) that don't express love for all, forgiveness, peace, harmony, health, etc. (all good), are words that have no power behind them - unless our mortal minds give them power. But that is a sin, because it would mean a belief in a power other than God, which breaks the First Commandment, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me ("before" meaning "besides" or "except")" (Exodus 20:3).

Mary Baker Eddy, the discoverer and founder of Christian Science, explains Jesus' approach (and how all Christians should be in regards to "rhetoric" or erroneous thoughts) this way:

"We should remember that the world is wide; that there are a thousand million different human wills, opinions, ambitions, tastes, and loves; that each person has a different history, constitution, culture, character, from all the rest; that human life is the work, the play, the ceaseless action and reaction upon each other of these different atoms. Then, we should go forth into life with the smallest expectations, but with the largest patience; with a keen relish for and appreciation of everything beautiful, great, and good, but with a temper so genial that the friction of the world shall not wear upon our sensibilities; with an equanimity so settled that no passing breath nor accidental disturbance shall agitate or ruffle it; with a charity broad enough to cover the whole world's evil, and sweet enough to neutralize what is bitter in it, — determined not to be offended when no wrong is meant, nor even when it is, unless the offense be against God. Nothing short of our own errors should offend us. He who can wilfully attempt to injure another, is an object of pity rather than of resentment; ... (Miscellaneous Writings 1883-1896, p. 224)"

So really, "words" by themselves don't matter. Vitriol and hate is irrelevant, as long as we follow Jesus' example of living in the Christ.