Character assassination

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I have in recent times been the subject of unwarranted character assassination and also seen it happen to other people I know, particularly in one of my favourite forums.
It always saddens me, not just because I feel hurt and rejected because i am too soft, but some of the people who get attacked are friends or acquaintances and it simply isn’t fair or right that people get crucified unjustly. Sadly there is quite a ground swell of obnoxious back biters around at the moment really destroying my 2 favourite forums. Fortunately my OWN forum is bereft of this nonsense, the benefit of it being subscription based.

Anyway I was reading the Vine today and thought it had some real wisdom to bring to bear on this unfortunate malady. Italics are my own addition.

“An old Quaker bought a cantankerous dairy cow and every milking session became a battle of wills. Determined to demonstrate grace under fire the old man refused to react when Bessie stomped on his foot, whipped him in the face with her tail, and knocked over the milk bucket. Finally she kicked him against the barn wall and that did it! Glowering, he growled, “Thou knowest I’m a Quaker and cannot strike thee back – but I can surely sell thee to a Presbyterian!”

When you are the injured party, it’s hard to be gracious and finish the job at hand. That’s when you need “more grace,” and to keep in mind a few important principles:

(a) Conflicting viewpoints help you to grow. If you’ve ever been around teenagers you can relate. They’re experts at coming up with unconventional, off-the-wall opinions that challenge you and keep you honest.
We need to be open to new ideas and analyse them for value without simply discounting them because we don’t like the messenger

(b) Never resort to character assassination. Disagreeing is one thing, destroying somebody is another. Some of the most vicious personal attacks, public and private, have been waged over religion and politics. If you must fight, fight fair.
This sadly is a big issue today. I see it especially on forums where people are maligned for their weight, their wives appearance or any number of other irrelevant issues. This is a real curse!!

(c) When you lose, take it on the chin. Instead of endlessly rehearsing old grievances, “Help others with encouraging words; don’t drag them down by finding fault” (Romans 14:14-19 TM).

(d) Sometimes it’s necessary to go separate ways. When Paul and Barnabas argued over whether or not John Mark should travel with them, “There followed a sharp disagreement between them” (Acts 15:39 AMP). End of story? No, just the beginning of two different ministries!
So be gracious! What’s happening to you right now may well be God’s way of moving you into a new area of blessing.

So remember there is always good in every situation if we look for it. But we have to be willing to actually look for it. It is unlikely to drag itself into our lounge and announce its arrival. Are you willing to look for the good in an apparently bad situation today?? It will forever change your world view, for the better.

Stay Safe ~ Dean Letfus @ www.massiveaction.co.nz