Holding One's Tongue

One of my friends sent me this link to a news site that allows comments on its articles. It's kind of like a blog in that sense, and after each article, the comments flow just like on here (except far more numerously). There was some piece about something or other which was quasi-political and quasi-religious and I just couldn't help but to comment. 

Then of course, because I am rather too big for my own britches, I basically waited around to see what others thought of my comment. I wanted validation for something I had written. You know how to spell out what I wrote? P-R-I-D-E. Easy word to remember.

I learned a lesson that day from the comments I saw in response as well as from the bolt of lightning that came moments after. Many of the comments that followed were either hot or cold, few luke warm, but none all that intelligent. Now, granted, I don't want to go back into the pride thing, but I wondered how so many could miss what was so clear? This wasn't a matter of opinion, it was a matter of historical fact and logic applied to said fact. The answer was staring everyone in the face. About 30 percent saw it, and the rest didn't even understand the question. Unfortunately, it was the rest that were commenting the most. I wondered, where are the intelligentia?

Ah, they knew better than to ever even get caught up in that trash in the first place. Its a news room, where people speak about that which they feel the most and know the least. And everything that came through the window carried enough passion to sweep hundreds into unending ad hominem debates. If there were intelligent people there, they knew when to speak up and when not to. I made three comments before I realized I was talking to thin air. No one wanted to hear anyone else, they just wanted to make their point, which was right (just like mine) and be vindicated in it (just like me) and then see everyone else say, "Ah.... now I understand! Thank you!" (just like ... well, you get the idea).

So, you want to know if the lesson I learned that day was how to keep my mouth shut? You all know I'm wordy, so not likely. But I did learn this: It shouldn't be my "truth" that I am vindicating in any discussion. My truth is nothing. I have none. None, apart from Christ that is. And if that is the case, then it is not my truth in the first place, but His. I do not need to validate my own truth, or my own version of it, His is sufficient and it remains True whether we validate it or not. Who are we to validate anything anyway? The Creature tells the Creator, "You did a good job, I approve." I can hear Him laughing.

Now, when it comes to the Word of Jehovah, God, it should speak for itself. If you will trust in Him, His Spirit will reveal to you any questions you have, or else drive you on a quest that changes you into someone who can understand the question that God wants to pose in the first place. But you have to trust in Him, on the name of Jesus Christ, completely. 

Anytime we add to the Word, or try to validate our own version of it, we are not trusting that God's Word is sufficient or true. Even if no one gets it - and remember that Jesus spoke in parables because that some would hear and others would not - it still remains true. 

In debates and forums now, I find it is best (as in dealing with temptation) to know the Word of God backwards and forwards so that you may pull forth from your heart the apt verse and then have the humility and faith to let it stand. Pray that you have the spirit that can explain to those who ask, but you don't need to justify His Word or be hurt if someone doesn't get it. Many won't.