How many of us know what our Sunday School children learn from week to week? Perhaps we should catch them at morning tea and ask them because a few weeks ago they came home with a simple lesson that would be good for us all and has made me stop in my tracks and do a bit of introspection. THINK BEFORE WE SPEAK.
T – Is this the truth? We all know of a recent President who has persuaded thousands with words that are not the truth. But can we be sure that what we read and hear is the truth? What is fake news and how can we be sure that we are not harbingers of falsity? Covid ‘truths’ abound. I could count on the fingers of two hands those I have heard that I doubt. So, if we are not sure what we are tempted to say is the truth or just a rumour– we perhaps shouldn’t say it, unless we have researched it and tested it against reliable evidence.
H – Is what we are going to say helpful? That too needs to be measured. I recently have had hip surgery. Prior to said operation I was told I would be over it in no time, no pain and someone’s friend was playing tennis after four weeks. I had high hopes! Helpful? No actually. Different circumstances have different outcomes! Or we might receive advice given with such surety that it cannot be argued with. Helpful? Not always. Generalisations are dangerous and judgmental to say the least and so often they are around race, reasons for poverty or unemployment. Everyone has their own story.
I –Is our message inspiring? The saying goes that there is good in everyone if we choose to find it. As Christians, we should be looking as Jesus did for the good in folk, even if what hits us in the eye is not good. So, when our child or grandchild comes home from school with a fail mark or missed the goal at Saturday sport, can we forget that and find something right there to praise them for? Can we inspire? Christ our model for life did just that. He rubbed shoulders with sinners and the despised and rejected and inspired them to turn their lives around. He lifted ordinary people to greatness. A past minister of ours once told me he knew people went home and had roast preacher for lunch. How often do we pat our Minister on the back for work well done?
Necessary – Is what we are going to say absolutely necessary? It may pass the aforementioned tests but is it necessary? People going through trials sometimes just need a pat on the shoulder rather than a volley of words that in their grief they won’t remember. A hug says so much and doesn’t always need a verbal accompaniment. Is ours always the voice to be heard or can we hold on to what we want to add and let others speak first. After their wise words we probably needn’t say anything.
K – Lastly, is what we are going to say kind? We were appalled to read of the racist comments by nameless cowards directed at the young English footballers who missed the shoot-out goals – young vulnerable men who were already bereft at their lack of performance. Gossip is so often NOT kind. If the person talked about was there would we say it? A kind word is a bouquet of flowers, so easily said and remembered. My wise mother-in-law, who I greatly respected said “If you can’t say anything nice about someone say nothing!” I never heard her say anything disrespectful about anyone!
Photo by Belinda Fewings on Unsplash
So often our tongues are a bit loose. We sound off before we think. Politicians who we are meant to respect sound off with comments that are perceived as racist or discriminatory or even libelous that they try to crawl back from, but the word is out! The tongue is mightier than the sword. And it is not only the verbal risk but also what is written in the press – people who are given the advantage of having a column in the paper who are at best critical, at worst destructive with what they write. Of course, we all don’t always think the same, and neither should we, but opinions can be voiced about issues without making them personal. As Christians, whether we like it or not, we are judged by how we behave. Thank you Sunday School! You have made me THINK! a guest post by Jill Worrall