Responding to Ungodliness

My facebook friend and preaching colleague Russ Bowman recently posted this scriptural observation.

When godly people react to ungodliness in ungodly ways, then ungodliness has prevailed.

Remember who you are, and Whose you are.

I’ve been reflecting on that point as it applies to our social media posts. Too often under the cover of a faceless interaction, it’s too easy to speak evil of another person, judge motives, and spew pejorative retorts. This is especially true when we’ve been attacked. After all, our culture says, “You gotta fight fire with fire.”

After saving Russ’ quote and reflecting on its application, I stumbled upon another post by a woman named Carol Manning who related this incident.

“Yesterday I cut someone off in traffic. Total mistake. He laid on the horn, flipped me off, and when fate had it that we both ended up in the same parking lot—he was waiting.

Middle finger up. Yelling. Cursing. “LEARN HOW TO DRIVE!”

I stopped. Rolled down my window. Let him vent. Then I said calmly:
“You’re right. I cut you off. I’m sorry. That was a stupid mistake—and I’m grateful for your quick reflexes that kept us safe.”

He froze. Still mad… but caught off guard. All he could mutter was:
“Just be careful.”

Inside the store, I felt a tap on my shoulder. It was him—only this time, calm.

“I owe you an apology. I had a rough morning. Thank you for reminding me everyone makes mistakes. I shouldn’t have reacted like that.”

We smiled, wished each other a good day, and walked away.

Lesson learned: Kindness disarms. Sometimes three words—I am sorry—can turn rage into understanding.”

Carol could have reacted in kind to the uncivil conduct. But she didn’t. I don’t know her religious beliefs. But she applied “the golden rule.”  She put Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:43-48 into practice. When your enemy curses, you bless. When they do evil, you do good. When they hurl hate, you do good.

Russ’s exhortation and Carol’s example also remind us of Paul’s admonition in Romans 12:17-21. Don’t repay evil with more evil. Refrain from vengeance. Leave it for the Lord. Live in peace with everyone, if possible. And, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

The next time you encounter a hostile, angry person, either online or in person, remember Russ’s words and follow Carol’s example.

“Remember who you are, and Whose you are.”

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman