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 "Take
not heed unto all words that are spoken, lost: thou hear thy
servant curse thee; for oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth
that thou thyself hast cursed others" (Eccl. 7:21).
We
have read many articles telling us to guard our tongue — be
careful of what you say — and we would do well to heed such
advice (Jas. 3:l-f). But the Holy Spirit also advises us to
guard our ears: "what ye hear" (Mk. 4:24), "flow
ye hear" (Lu. 8:18). And equally important, there are times
when we should not hear what we hear; i.e.; we must have
magnanimity of soul" to disregard ugly things we have heard
said against us.
Many
years past I received a letter charging me with rash things I
had not done. I was about to fire off a hot reply when a friend
came by, read the letter and my proposed reply, and gave me some
excellent advice. "Robert, that fellow wrote as though you
were a wild-eyed fanatic. He has heard rumors, gossip — but he
doesn't really know you. He has no proof of those charges, but
you are about to send him a signed confirmation.'
I
destroyed the "proof" and tried to
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conduct myself so that he would never find
out how bad I really was.
We
are not dogs — we do not have to bark back at every snarl. We
are made in the image of God, with the capacity to love our
enemies and to forgive (Matt. 5:43-f, Lu. 17:3-5). Nor is an ear
that doesn't hear every thing a sign of weakness. The "chip
on-his-shoulder" fellow is usually weak and unsure of
himself, and feels threatened by every dart.
Solomon's
advice has an earthy backdrop: forgive because you need
forgiveness (Matt. 6:14-15); but God, having wronged no one, is
the ultimate example of magnanimity. Sinned against, he gave His
Son; who, knowing no sin, died for you and me. We can't fool
God, but thank God, we do not have to. Justice is tempered with
mercy, and through Christ sins are remembered against us no
more.
But
those who would be recipients of His mercy must "being
reviled, revile not again" (1 Pet. 2:23); "take not
heed unto all words spoken."
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