Before you speak, THINK!

Rev. Dr. Thomas D. Minton,
Eminence Christian Church,
Eminence KY
November 2012

From the Pastor’s Desk

In these last days running up to the election I feel it is my place, not to endorse a party or the candidates that represent the ideologies and values of any party. As a Christian pastor I do feel itis my place to call us all as members of the body of Christ collectively and individually to think about what we say. Perhaps more than that I am calling us to think about how we say what we say.

The opinions we express may be important and we may feel passionately about them, but how we express them often says more about our Christian character than what we say or the ideological position we may hold.

If I recall, it was Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson during the Viet Nam conflict who spoke of “the fog of war.” I think we all understand what he meant with that expression. Not everything is as clear and clearly delineated as we might like.

I think the same is true during political campaigns, especially when so much is at stake—a political and economic path out of the past and into the future, the power and privilege to make decisions that impact us all as a people, whether we share more of our money for the common good or hold on to more of our money for personal gain, whether all citizens have access to adequate and affordable health care, whether “our side” wins so we can gloat and claim God’sfavor as though being blessed by God, and many other reasons to want to “win”. We Americans have become or have always been a contentious and competitive people. We are in the “fog of political campaigns” at the present. Oh, I know, many have already voted and most probably have their minds already made up about whom to vote for.

But in the “fog” I admonish us to be careful how we as Christians, whether we think of ouropponent as being Christian or not, choose our words and express our opinions—political opinions and faith opinions.

Consider this that I recently found and deem appropriate for this time. “Before you speak, THINK!” Ask ourselves the questions,

1) Is it true? It is not always easy to verify everything we hear. But could we not refuse to repeat anything we have not been able to verify? When we do find a source for our argument, cite the source so others can read it for themselves. And ask ourselves, “What is the source of this information? Does it have a political or economic agenda behind it, or might someone be tempted to hedge on the truth in order to gain an advantage? Think twice before we repeat things.

2) Is it helpful? The flipside to this is the question “Is it harmful?” To whom? Does my remark help clarify and contribute to a better understanding of an issue or a matter?

3) Is it inspiring? How does the hearer come away feeling after my remarks? Do they feel built up or torn down? And I also know that no one is responsible for the response or level of response of our hearers/readers, but at least think about how we sound.

4) Is it necessary? If something could be left unsaid without anything being lost, perhaps it should be. At the same time, do not be afraid to speak out and speak up to be heard, especially in matters of justice and equal rights. Your thoughts and observations matter.  And when you want to ask a question, ask the question. You know, there are no “dumb questions,” except the questions you do not ask, afraid of what someone might think of you. However, “speak the truth in love” [and in a loving way] with the intention and purpose of showing love. If I understand the Apostle Paul’s teaching on love in 1 Corinthians 13, love always gives the other person the benefit of the doubt without judging their motive; but we can only take them at their word. No more, no less.

5) Is it kind? I’m not sure why, but this question reminds me of some things Jesus once said in what have been called “the Beatitudes”. You can read them for yourself. Look in the Christian scripture Matthew 5: 3-12. Kindness is, for me, paramount in all we do as Jesus followers, even when we speak poignantly and forthrightly. What does the Proverb say, “A soft word turns away wrath”?

So now and always, let us keep these questions in mind when we speak our minds. On November 6 speak your mind with your ballot. Few people in the world have this privilege. Use it wisely and prayerfully. And when the dust settles and your favorite candidate(s) did or did not win, may “prayers, petitions, and thanksgiving be made for all people. Pray for kings and everyone who is in authority so that we can live a quiet and peaceful life in complete godliness and dignity” (1Timothy 2:1b-2).

Thomas