Getting Down to the Root of it!

Read: Genesis 1:26-27; Proverbs 17:27-28; Proverbs 18:13; Colossians 4:5-6; 2 Timothy 2:22-26

I was doing a bit of weeding this week when I discovered a very stubborn weed that simply didn't want to be pulled out. I used both hands to try to dislodge it from the very dry soil that held it captive. No luck; so, I took the clippers and merely took it down to the ground. I know, it will likely pop up again because I didn't get the root out. Oh well, when it again makes its appearance, it will have other friends just like it to keep it company, and soon it will be time for the ground to rest anyway.

I have been thinking about a different kind of root than the kind that is in the ground. The roots of bitterness and disrespect that seems so prevalent right now. Perhaps, these evils have always been all around me, but this week, it seemed to me that they sprang up every time I turned around; so, let's, if we may, first look at an example that saddened me. Followed by something we can each demonstrate in our particular circles of influence. As we all know, there has been much sadness this week. Violence in another school the reminder of 9/11 and the murder of Charlie Kirk. Each of these acts of cruelty have been a source of grief to loved ones, many whose names we don't know.

May the Lord Who is near to those whose hearts are broken, Psalm 34:18, and the One Who knows the name of each one who mourns, bring the comfort He alone can bring into each life.

That's a simple prayer. The kind that surely would be welcome during a time of sadness. Surely that would be true, but it wasn't. It made me shiver when I pulled up the video. The Speaker of the House was asking for a moment of prayer for Charlie Kirk and his family. At that moment, he was still alive. Noise and confusion. That's what it sounded like. The Speaker asked for quiet and banged the gavel. Several times he spoke with firmness but politeness too. The video ended at that point, and I truly don't know what happened. I only know that what shouldn't have been a divisive time became one. That's merely a tiny example of the lack of respect that is all around us. May I suggest one of the roots of this kind of behavior? We so frequently look at one another having forgotten that we all are made in the image of God, Genesis 1:26-27.

When I remember that the person I disagree the most with is either a born-again child of God, John 3:3 or that he has the potential and might come to belong to Jesus, it changes how I see him. I might still believe that his beliefs are wrong because they are the polar opposite of what God has said in His Word, but I can listen to him and talk with him if he is willing to do so.

That is something that Charlie Kirk did well. He dealt respectfully with those who didn't afford him the same courtesy. He knew that Jesus is the only Way to come to the Father, John 14:6, and he wanted people who disagreed vehemently to know that. What a good walking out of Colossians 4:5-6. Speech that is seasoned with salt and the kind of words that are fitting for each circumstance. How we need the Holy Spirit to give us such words.

Proverbs 18:13 also surely holds out important truth. Listening well before talking. If that isn't challenging enough, Proverbs 17:27-28 reminds us not to use too many words. Words that are well placed and well timed can be few because they pack a punch. There is less of a chance that bitterness or disrespect will gush out when our words are few.

In 2 Timothy 2:22-26, Paul reminds us that the people who oppose us aren't the enemy. They are held captive by the evil one. They often can't yet see the truth of the Gospel. How important the apostle says it is to deal with them patiently. To not quarrel as we are speaking truth; instead, we should strike the root of bitterness and disrespect with faithfulness and love.

Jesus showed us how to deal with people who opposed Him during one of the trials He endured prior to His crucifixion. Sometimes, a well-timed question is in order. In John 18:20-24, Jesus answered a question with a simple truthful response. He had spoken openly, and the Lord simply stated that all who had heard Him speak could answer the question that had been posed. When He was slapped for that response, the Savior then said that if He had done wrong, He should be told what the wrong was; however, if He had done no wrong, Jesus asked why He had been struck. What a beautiful question Jesus posed. What a lesson for us. No bitter words but rather a thought-provoking question. Did anyone who heard Jesus' response have a change of thinking some time down the road? We don't know, but who can say what a well-timed question might do.

How sad it is that roots of bitterness and disrespect are being observed by the little ones. How sad it is when a moment of prayer is shouted down, and how sad that the children often see adults using their words to one-up others and tear them apart, but we can show them a different way. We can show them God's love on display when we listen well, speak graciously but truthfully and ask Jesus to allow us to see each person with His eyes. We can teach them to pray for those who presently hate the Lord, just as Jesus did on the cross, Luke 23:34. These are teaching tools that we all can wield.

Lord, Help us to not be overcome by evil but to overcome evil with good, Romans 12:21.