I have written about this a few times over the last couple of years, but a video I saw on Facebook reminded me of the importance of words. It was one of Pres. Trump’s sons getting self-righteous about some democrat’s use of words about his father, and then a series of video clips of the president using profanity and calling people names. Nothing new to see here. It did, however, make me think of a time when my son was only 2 years old or so. I am not one to use profanity – I grew up with it and always found it to be offensive and ignorant – and I never wanted others to use it around me or my children. One day, I heard my son saying, very softly, “dammit.” He was playing with a toy hammer and pretending to work at a toy workbench, and every time he used the tool, he would say that word. I have to admit that I was pretty shocked; I wondered where he could have heard that kind of thing. I realized that I, in my protestations against words like this, would often say “dammit” – quietly – if I did something wrong while working on a project. Words matter, regardless of how quietly we say them.
I use words for a living. I write, speak, and pray a lot, and the words I use are carefully considered. It isn’t just children who are listening; everyone is listening. It is an old idea when discussing morality, that we are judged not by our public personas, but by what we say and do in private – or when we think nobody is listening. Billy Graham’s racist comments, for example. I’ve used these examples in classes about ethics and morality, and they are still true. What decisions would you make if you knew you wouldn’t get caught? If you found a wallet with money in it, would you return it, or keep it? Would you commit adultery if nobody would find out? For most of us, these are hypothetical questions, but they still matter. And remember – a lot of famous people have been caught on hot mics saying despicable things. Words – actions – all of it matters.
The Bible is full of warnings about trying to be perfect. Since none of us is, we have to be aware of what we do and say and try to be the best we possibly can be. I thought I was being perfect at not using profanity; I was wrong. This doesn’t mean I don’t stop trying – it means, for me, that I have to be wary of the arrogance of moral superiority. Like the story Jesus told about the tax collector and the Pharisee, it is easy for us to believe we are superior because we follow the rules so well and look so holy on the outside. Meanwhile, acknowledging our need for forgiveness isn’t a sign of weakness – it’s a sign of recognizing our imperfection. Our words and actions matter, not just because God is watching, but because people see us and – fairly or not – judge us. None of us will ever achieve perfection, but we might be able to be better today than we were yesterday. It is, after all, a journey. May today be better than the day before.
Prayer – In our desire to be our best, God, let us not lose sight of humility and the need to grow in You. Amen.
Today’s art is “Perfection” by J. Vincent Scarpace (2014).