Unwholesome Talk

                 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Ephesians 4:29)

                All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. (James 3:7-9)

                It’s not unusual for people to think that attacking another person is the means by which to convince them to change their minds. In some circles, these attacks are recognized as ad hominems attacks, and within those circles, they are understood to be invalid arguments. After all, even if I am a world class idiot, that doesn’t actually prove that what I’ve said isn’t true. It might reduce the likelihood that I correct, but it doesn’t prove it in the instance involved. But, if one can convince others to dismiss what I say because of they way they describe me, they no longer have to present a valid argument or provide evidence for it. It’s a lazy argument, but is too often effective because hating is easier than thinking.

                Recently, I’ve encountered a group on line that associates itself with a church denomination. The main idea of their posts is that it is not only appropriate, but proper for Christians to mock, rebuke, and otherwise be harsh with unbelievers. One of the participants went so far as to suggest that it’s justified because that’s what the unbelievers do. Some of them claim that because Jesus called the Pharisees a “brood of vipers” (Matthew 12:34 and 23:33) that means it’s acceptable for them to abuse others. They hold to this view even when presented with a long list of passages, like today’s, that instruct us to behave otherwise.  

                Now, it would benefit the hearers of rebukes and mockery if they responded as the rebukers and mockers wanted them to, but chances are good that the hearers will respond precisely the same way the rebukers and mockers would respond if the roles were reversed. Rather than proving their point, they drive the hearers away. Some might suggest that rebuking people and mocking them is wholesome because the goal is conversion and conviction. It might be wholesome under some circumstances, but when it is the automatic, knee-jerk response to anyone and everyone, it, rather than the speaker, controls the speaker and poisons both the speaker and the hearers. And that makes it wholesome for no one.