Word Choices
Summing up: Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless—that’s your job, to bless. You’ll be a blessing and also get a blessing. – 1 Peter 3:8-9 (The Message)
Those aren’t fighting words.
That can be a good thing. I can remember a few church meetings and dinner conversations that would have been greatly improved by adding sympathy or love or compassion or humility. They are necessary tools for living in a way that’s likely to warm God’s heart.
Still, I’m wary of this good advice from 1 Peter. It’s so either/or. Aren’t there plenty of choices in the spectrum between agreeability and sarcasm? Like godly warning? Or faithful rage? Or righteous indignation? Or brokenhearted grieving?
Occasionally non-fighting words are just what’s needed.
But not always.
I wouldn’t choose these verses to share with a refugee friend who has escaped certain death at home only to face deportation. Nor with a colleague who has just been stopped for “driving while black.” Nor with a neighbor who has been told her choices for her own body are now illegal.
1 Peter 3:8-9 is great—and sometimes Matthew 23:33 is more to the point.
Prayer
God of utter gentleness and prophetic thunder: may the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in thy sight. Amen.
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The Rev. Dr. John A. Nelson is Pastor and Teacher of the Congregational Church of Salisbury (CT).