“Telling lies about others is as harmful as hitting them with an ax, wounding them with a sword, or shooting them with a sharp arrow.”
Proverbs 25:18 NLT
http://bible.com/116/pro.25.18.nlt
We would generally not equate lying with these physical injuries but I think the writer is correct.
I recall recent discussions in our family about the cranky family member and the rude one and the... I struggle with applying unfavorable labels on each other. What I mean by a label is a description of who they are as opposed to what they are doing. It is a subtle but, important distinction. When a person is acting badly, they may need correction. The person correcting has two options. They can say, "You are a bad person acting according to your bad nature. Stop it." Or they can say, "You are a good person acting badly in contrary to your good nature. Stop it." Is the person bad, or are they just acting badly?
I think when we use labels to describe who another person is, rather than correct behavior we may subtlely encourage the person to demonstrate that unfavorable character quality. In a sense we lie about that person. We call them something that is less than who they are, a lie we tell about them.
I think when we use labels to describe who another person is, rather than correct behavior we may subtlely encourage the person to demonstrate that unfavorable character quality. In a sense we lie about that person. We call them something that is less than who they are, a lie we tell about them.
Let us all learn to call people names that call them to a higher standard. Let us use names that are not lies, but bold visions. Let us correct behavior, and mold character. Let us recognize the difference between who a person is and how they behave.
Lord, don't let me lie about family and friends. Help me not label them, when I just need to correct behavior. Help me differentiate between bad character and bad behavior.
