"Because you're a failure!"
These words caught my attention in Sunday school today. Though said in a joking manner, I still felt bad for the boy these words were directed towards. Simply because this boy lost a game, he was getting called a failure. Taking it good naturally, he just laughed away the insult, but I could tell it still hurt.
As brothers and sisters in Christ, we should be lifting each other up, not putting each other down. It's certainly not bad to joke with one another, but we, as Christians, must be careful what we say, and how we do it. Jokes such as, "...you're a failure!", and "you know nothing!" will only hurt others. Nothing out of those jokes, or similar ones, even if obviously untrue ones, will build up others in their faith and love for Christ. None of that molds them into who God wants them to be. Ephesians 4:29 says, "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" When we speak, we need to make sure that what we say, will benefit those who are listening to us. Who will even want to be around someone who is constantly demoting another?
Yet there is a balance between the two. We shouldn't constantly be putting others down, and at the same time, we need to be encouraging others to do better at areas in their life that they struggle with. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 says, "And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone". As that verse says, we need to encourage the timid, warn the idle, help the weak, and with everyone, be patient! Throwing compliments simply to butter people up will also, in the end, harm the person. Proverbs 15:1 says, "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” We need to be gentle with our words, and encouraging one another. Yes, we must build each other up, but we need to be gentle in how we do it. Being harsh will only cause hurt and anger, consequently turning them away from any words they may need to hear. Can't we all do better at this? Can't we all benefit from doing this?
Kayla Joy
