BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU DECLARE

Many of you know that our family just returned from a trip to Philadelphia. As we visited many sites significant to our country’s independence, I was struck with how important words are. For example, we visited Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence was signed. (See pictures.)

           
We only half-jokingly wondered if there really is a map on the back of the Declaration of Independence or if a secret code is inscribed on the Liberty Bell ala the movie “National Treasure”. But in all seriousness, documents like the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution galvanized people. These were powerful declarations. Some people even gave up their lives for the words they contained. I read in one exhibit that George Washington wanted to make sure each word attributed to him or to our new country in a document was perfect. He once made one small change to a paragraph which necessitated the entire reprinting of the document! He was very careful with what he declared.

Words mattered back then. It led me to wonder if our words still have that same kind gravitas. Do words matter now as much as they did back then? If so, then we are in trouble.

I was scrolling on Facebook recently when I saw a post by someone I knew over 20 years ago who is now the senior pastor of a church. He made very pointed and negative attacks against several current political figures—making fun of one’s personal appearance calling them a “stalk of celery” and mocking another for the way they laughed. I was shocked. I asked Mike what he thought I should do, and he suggested inquiring via private message if the person really thought name-calling and derisive remarks were appropriate for a citizen of heaven. I was shocked when the person replied back to me that he felt they were justified due to his political stance. Then the individual went on to attack my character.

Have we really devolved to this?

As a counselor, I sit with too many individuals and couples who justify using inappropriate words with the phrase “Well, you should hear what they said to/about ME!” An individual “quiet quits” and stops being productive because he is mad at his boss. A wife gives her husband the silent treatment because she feels like he doesn’t make her a priority. A frustrated American citizen makes a hateful Facebook post about an entire racial group because they are angry at the actions of one potentially undocumented immigrant. Others share posts that are not true or those who resort to name-calling, slander, and personal attacks on social media because they disagree with another’s political stance. Isn’t that like the playground insults of children versus civil communication between adults who should know better?

We need to do better.

As citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20-21), we must do better.

People are watching. They see the disconnect between people who say they love their neighbor (Matthew 22:39) and then spread hate. And on a related note, the world can also read. Ephesians 4:29 states, “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment so that it will give grace to those who hear” [emphasis mine]. People see words like these in Scripture and then contrast them with the words Christians use with whom they disagree. It’s destroying the testimony of the Church.

Our trip to Philadelphia reminded me that words matter. Our country was founded on powerful words like those written in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution—just to name a few of our founding documents.

We, as believers, serve a higher master than one installed by an election. We owe it to our Father God and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to make sure the words we choose –- our literal declarations -- are appropriate for citizens of heaven.