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 The
unpleasant hurting sensation sometimes experienced in the
physical body can have beneficial effects. Without the symptoms
of chest or stomach pains, for instance, one may be unaware of
serious ailments needing immediate attention. The prospects of a
comfortable coronary or a painless appendicitis may sound
appealing, but the end thereof could well be death. Physical
hurting is not only an informer, it is also a reminder and
protector. Even the sore toe can convey an attention getting
message by hurt saying, “Hey! Remember to take care of me!”.
The point is, hurt is a necessary and often helpful part of our
physical existence.
Furthermore,
I’m not so sure that hurt doesn’t occupy a somewhat similar
role in the spiritual realm as well. Take the hurt of Godly
sorrow, for instance. Without it repentance is impossible for
“godly sorrow worketh repentance...“ (2 Cor. 7:10). You can
see it in the repentance of the Pentecostians who were “pricked
in their heart” (Acts 2:37). I think we see it in Peter who,
in realizing his sin against Jesus, “went out, and wept
bitterly” (Matt. 26:75). Who are the blessed mourners of Matt.
5:4 if not those who are hurt by sin? Such hurt is actually an
essential part of gaining spiritual health. But, as with the
physical body, there are different kinds of hurting.
Another
sort is that which comes with the sting of rebuke. Whether
administered publicly or privately, there are times when the rod
of verbal chastisement is necessary. Paul used it with Peter and
threatened more of it with the Corinthians (Gal. 2:11; 1 Cor.
4:21). Timothy is told to use it (1Tim. 4:2).
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Actually, it involves a double hurt in that
it affects the rebuker as well. Paul was sorry for having to
make the Corinthians sorry (1 Cor. 7:8), though it later brought
joy. No doubt, their putting away the fornicator from among them
was a painful experience too, but the church could not be
healthy without it.
Since
hurt, therefore, is so vitally related to spiritual health, why
do so many seem so set on taking all the hurt out of religion? Why
the demand for an ouchless religion? Many appear
obsessed with the fear that someone may get their feelings hurt!
Others want to spare themselves the pain and unpleasantness of
saying what needs to be said to lost souls (preachers and elders
included). Could it be that we have become more concerned about
removing the hurt than about removing the sin? That is something
like a doctor administering a strong pain-killer for severe
stomach pains without treating what caused the pains. Obviously,
he has not removed the problem; only the patient’s awareness
of it. Neither do we remove the problem by removing the pain.
True, we have manufactured lots of “tranquilizers” in our
quest for a painless religion. Many, though dying in sin, have
been made to feel good under the sedation of false teaching,
good intentions and excuses. The pain may be gone, but not the
problem.
Speaking
the truth in love is good medicine — good for those who speak
it and hear it — and hurt! Dan S. Shipley
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