MEN settled their differences in duels, facing off with swords or pistols.
Although blood may not be drawn, the verbal attacks injure emotions and reputations. Innocent ones often suffer in these “wars.”
Consider what took place some years ago when one Anglican priest accused another of mishandling church finances.
Their quarreling became public, and the congregation they served split into factions. Some members refused to attend services if the minister they opposed was presiding. So intense was their mutual contempt that they snubbed each other when they were in church for worship. When the accusing priest himself was accused of sexual misconduct, the dispute heated up.
Consider what took place some years ago when one Anglican priest accused another of mishandling church finances.
Their quarreling became public, and the congregation they served split into factions. Some members refused to attend services if the minister they opposed was presiding. So intense was their mutual contempt that they snubbed each other when they were in church for worship. When the accusing priest himself was accused of sexual misconduct, the dispute heated up.
The Archbishop of Canterbury appealed to the two clerics, calling their fighting “a cancer” and “a scandal dishonouring the name of Our Lord.” In 1997 one of the priests agreed to retire. The other held on to his post until he had to leave because he had reached the age of compulsory retirement. However, he stayed on until the last possible moment, retiring on his 70th birthday, on August 7, 2001. The Church of England Newspaper mentioned that the day he retired was the feast day of Saint Victricius. Who was Saint Victricius? A fourth-century bishop who was reportedly flogged because he refused to fight in an army. Noting the contrast in attitudes, the paper said: “Refusing to fight in an ecclesiastical battle was not a trait of [the retiring priest].”
Those priests could have avoided injuring themselves and others had they applied the counsel at Romans 12:17, 18: “Return evil for evil to no one. Provide fine things in the sight of all men. If possible, as far as it depends upon you, be peaceable with all men.”
What about you? If someone offends you, does resentment goad you into verbal warfare? Or do you avoid harsh words and keep the door to peace open? If you offend someone, do you avoid that person and hope that time and a short memory will cover over the problem? Or are you prompt to apologize?
Whether you ask for forgiveness or extend it to another, trying to make peace will contribute to your well-being.
Do you like to know more on this Bible topic? Please visit this Watchtower article , or contact the Jehovah's Witnesses in your area. Thank you.
Photo Credit: Jayel Aheram
Those priests could have avoided injuring themselves and others had they applied the counsel at Romans 12:17, 18: “Return evil for evil to no one. Provide fine things in the sight of all men. If possible, as far as it depends upon you, be peaceable with all men.”
What about you? If someone offends you, does resentment goad you into verbal warfare? Or do you avoid harsh words and keep the door to peace open? If you offend someone, do you avoid that person and hope that time and a short memory will cover over the problem? Or are you prompt to apologize?
Whether you ask for forgiveness or extend it to another, trying to make peace will contribute to your well-being.
Do you like to know more on this Bible topic? Please visit this Watchtower article , or contact the Jehovah's Witnesses in your area. Thank you.
Photo Credit: Jayel Aheram
