Spewing Venom

Heavy hearted over here.

The interwebz can be nasty.

There's just something about that thin veil of separation known as a computer screen that makes people feel like they're invisible -- and that can say whatever they want. Sadly, people can be mean. Really mean. Not having to look your victim in the eye while ravaging their heart makes the attacking so much easier. But whatever happened to being polite? Does anyone remember the golden rule: "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all"? I mean, really, the world has enough of its own difficulties without feeling like we're all in a war of words with each other. Freedom of speech is a wonderful thing, but you don't have to spew your venom from a platform of choice. Don't get me wrong- this is more than "constructive criticism" and no amount of "thick skin" can guard your heart from these ugly jabs. Just this last week, I have observed:

• A fellow blogger lamenting over the massive influx of mean-spirited comments received on her blog. 
• A sweet friend who gave up blogging altogether after being bullied relentlessly.
• A popular Christian blogger using her influence in the blogosphere as a platform to destroy a pastor's ministry.
• In the middle of what could be the most devastating days to face as a parent, people are making disgusting comments toward a well-known pastor whose son recently committed suicide.
• Of course, the never-ending barrage of negative comments on Facebook on topics ranging from gay marriage to politics to motherhood even.

I just won't ever understand why people feel it's absolutely necessary to spread ugliness and hatred. Do we really all feel SO wronged that we must drag everyone involved down with us? Perhaps it sickens me more to see such discouraging and damaging words coming from both non-Christians AND Christians. I assure you, narrow-minded, hateful comments "in the name of Christ" simply look narrow-minded and hateful to those who do not know Christ. Have we all so quickly forgotten that murderous Saul felt completely justified in his persecution of the early Christian church? That being the case, what separates us from pre-conversion Saul when we bring our own hammer of religious indignation down on those around us?

Is it really all that surprising to hear story after story of children being bullied... when we as adults spend our days spreading ugly gossip and condemning our peers?

But we each have three choices to make each day:

1. Continue spreading hatred.
2. Choose in wisdom to be silent.
3. Be a voice of love.

I hope to always be an encouragement to those around me. Will you join me?

"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." -Ephesians 4:29