The Tongue - Edition #21: Talk of Ruin

April 27th, 2006

I am not sure just how much sense I am going to make today, to you or to me… I am on so much pain medication now; I am dizzy and can’t think or see straight. And I still hurt a little, to top things off… but not near as much as I did Tuesday night.

The Tongue – Edition #21: Talk of Ruin

Psalm 38:10-15
My heart pounds, my strength fails me; even the light has gone from my eyes. My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds; my neighbors stay far away. Those who seek my life set their traps, those who would harm me talk of my ruin; all day long they plot deception. I am like a deaf man, who cannot hear, like a mute, who cannot open his mouth; I have become like a man who does not hear, whose mouth can offer no reply. I wait for you, O LORD; you will answer, O Lord my God.

This is going to be short due to my concentration is just that… short. But I did notice something as David made this petition to God. He said that his enemies talked of deception and his ruin. It made me think… do I yearn for harm on someone else? I am glad to say that I don’t… at least I can’t think of anyone that I wish harm upon. Love is to have a deep, tender, ineffable feeling of affection and solicitude toward a person. And if I think of someone as an enemy, then that is the start of a lack of love for them.

Matthew 5:43-48
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Matthew 5:43 Love:
agapaō
ag-ap-ah'-o
Perhaps from ἄγαν agan (much; to love (in a social or moral sense): - (be-) love (-ed).

Matthew 5:44 enemies:
echthros
ekh-thros'
From a primary word ἔχθω echthō (to hate); hateful (passively odious, or actively hostile); usually as a noun, an adversary (especially Satan): - enemy, foe.

Matthew 5:48 perfect:
teleios
tel'-i-os
Complete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, etc.); neuter (as noun) completeness: - of full age, man, perfect.

Matthew 5:43 neighbor:
plēsion
play-see'-on
Neuter of a derivative of πέλας pelas (near); (adverb) close by; as noun, a neighbor, that is, fellow (as man, countryman, Christian or friend): - near, neighbour.

I am to love my fellow man. That is what a neighbor, by the bible’s definition is. And someone who opposes me is the same as one who supports me… a fellow person who has blood running through their veins. And that goes for a lack of love for the guy who blows the world trade centers, the guy who drove two hours to have sex with a thirteen year old, and the guy who scored the winning goal for the Colorado Avalanche (who whatever team you love to hate – I don’t really care for the Avalanche or hockey in general, but work with me). And what I like about the word “near” is that it is a relative word. George W Bush is near to me in comparison to those in Great Britain. But does that mean I should show hate toward those in Great Britain? By no means should that be my attitude. Love shouldn’t have boundaries. I don’t want to talk of ruin, but talk of the great things that are to come. God loves the good, the bad, and the absolute horrendous… and that is what he wants for me to do. And Psalms tells me that it hurts when people talk of ruin, and that I shouldn’t do that… I should build up, not tear down. My head is much clearer now. Thanks for reading. Johnny Out.