Posted by
Ikester on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 3:15:09 PM
I find it very hard to communicate the TRUTH today since there are many who, upon hearing the truth, respond with anger and slander. I sit amazed sometimes as I listen to Michael Medved. He characteristically takes his calls from those who disagree with him. Often I find that the first words out of a caller's mouth are filled with hate, slander and ignorance of the truth. He patiently listens to them and then systematically takes their statements apart by telling them what is really true. They will either stand corrected or return to a loud, blasting tone of slander.
I have been in the truth telling business for over thirty years as a teacher of the Bible. My responsibility before God is to tell the truth in love and I think that is what Medved tries to do. It is interesting to remember something someone told me once. He said, "When someone's argument breaks down he or she will usually begin raising their voice and trying to intimidate you with accusations." Boy does this fit our society today. What ever happened to sitting down and talking respectfully on any topic that comes up? Blog sites are often vicious since folks can hide behind their computer screen. Have you ever noticed how bold people can be when hiding behind a pair of sunglasses? Take off the glasses and things immediately lighten up. Reasoning is hard work and so lazy minds resort to bullying and slanderous accusation.
The Bible indicates that when we correct a wise man he will praise us but to correct a fool will bring on his wrath. The following passage is my marching orders as I write or speak to others. It reads like today's newspaper headlines.
"The Lord's bond-servant (servant) must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will. But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. (NOTE this list) For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; avoid such men as these." 2 Timothy 2:24-3:5
(The avoid part is for the innocent lambs who do not yet know how to engage this type of person.)
As you can see, those who have as their goal truth restoration have a massive job on their hands. Revisionist historians must stay up at night looking for ways to rewrite history but those who know and love the truth are hot on their trails. Knowing this, let's get on with the job. To see just one person brought to a rational and reasonable understanding of the truth is an awesome experience. That "Ah Ha" moment is worth it all.
Ikester