A Call to Kindness

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

Colossians 3:12-14

I am always saddened by how rude, unkind, or thoughtless I can be. I’m not thinking of any particular instance (although I’m sure it would be easy if I tried). This reality in my heart is indicative of a problem plaguing our culture. Trolls have no problem (often anonymously) spouting off the most hurtful, mean-spirited, unwarranted comments online. Many comments online are not only unnecessary but unsolicited. People feel that they have a “right” to comment on anything that a friend or stranger posts online. If someone posts a fun picture or a picture of a new outfit, inevitably someone will leave a cutting or sarcastic comment.

I’ve read many explanations for our incivility and unkindness. Some attribute it to the “Facebook” culture that allows people to comment and say things online that would never say in person, face to face. Others attribute it to the widening political divide that has accelerated over the last two decades since the contested 2000 presidential election. Other see it as a culmination of decades of increased secularization of society. As we have rejected the Bible as our norm, it has been replaced with our feelings being our guiding principles of right and wrong. Very few people would argue that things are more civil today than they were 30 or 40 years ago.

Thinking about this causes me to confront the sin residing in my own heart. Non-Christians make no claim to follow Biblical commands and they do not possess the indwelling Holy Spirit in their lives. What is disconcerting is that increasingly this same incivility and unkindness is justified and excused by people who profess Christ as Lord. Honestly, I known several non-Christians who are kinder and more compassionate than some professed believers!

As believers there is no place for this attitude or response in our conversation. Let me conclude with one more imperative from the hand of the Apostle Paul. “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” (Ephesians 4:29). After challenging believers to not grieve the Holy Spirit in verse 30 he continues, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:31-32). Brothers and sisters, we are in the world, but we are not of the world. Let the words that come out of our mouths and the tone in our voice reflect something decidedly different from those around us who don’t know Jesus.