Scandalous! Avoid Scandals & Seek The Truth
Word-Of-The-Day: ‘(5) Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. (6) The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.’ (James 3:5-6)
It is of no surprise when a politician or government official falls to some scandalous event, but scandals aren’t just reserved for our ruling class. Scandals or wrongdoing can happen inside a family, a workspace, and unfortunately even inside a church. It has the ability to ruin lives, not only the target of the allegations but the instigator, and can like a waterfall spread over those close by. Often those on the periphery choose sides, and it may not necessarily be for the one in the right but for who they more closely align to, as a friend or who they favor. Scandals can divide and bring down the organization or clique it resides in; governments, families, friends, and congregations have split into factions all due to real or purported scandal.
One of two things happen; the scandal is something where an opposing party will attempt to paint someone or some group as inept or corrupt by exaggerating an outcome of an otherwise minor event as a big blunder when it isn’t, or the person or group accused of the scandalous action actually did something egregious. Sometimes its not just one event but a culmination of a series of small events that create a negative implication toward the individual. In both cases, the person targeted either placed themselves in the negative light on their own volition by doing or saying the wrong thing, or someone is trying to shine a negative light on a person doing right to make them look bad.
James, the brother (or ‘half-brother’) of Jesus, is the author of James. It complements Paul’s writings with regard to the Jews in its application of the Believer to be genuine in Faith in Jesus, and acting under God’s wisdom. Though Martin Luther allegedly thought James’ epistle to be something as ‘straw’, or something as ‘filler’ that did not rely on the Gospel as much as Paul’s writings but more on ‘works’, which does not bring Salvation on their own. However, James’ focus on ‘works’ is not ‘straw’ or heresy; James’ point is Salvation is upon Faith, accomplished without works; that Faith should produce works that demonstrate the Faith a Christian should have, so that it can be seen (James 2:14-26).
But James also understood that the opposite is true when it comes to evil intent. Though James focuses on the spoken word (or the ‘tongue’) in James 3:1-18, and the damage it can do when used for evil and unrighteous purposes, one can also apply this to illicit actions, or ‘works’. What we say and/or do can either be uplifting or destructive to others or one’s self.
In James 2:14-26, James tells the Jews (and us) who believe that one who says that they have Faith may not actually have that Faith unless they act accordingly. Doing good works, or actions, in Faith are done in accordance with Scriptures and under Jesus’ instructions. In other words, someone should be able to view one’s actions as Righteous, as a Faithful Believer following Jesus will (or should) not do something that goes against the precepts and morals taught by Jesus or written in the Bible. If a mistake is made, the Believer should demonstrate repentance and appropriate remorse, and attempt to correct their mistake and make it right, at least as much as possible.
Good works done in Righteousness, along with speaking in Righteousness, is hopefully a catalyst for others to do follow suit, and for themselves not only act and speak in Righteousness but also think Righteous thoughts and become more attracted to following Jesus. We provide witness to Jesus’ love and Saving Grace in what we say and do, and it is our hope that others will recognize their need for Christ and also come to Faith and receive His Salvation.
James 3:1-12 tells the reader (again pointedly to the Jews, but also to us) that merely saying good things but acting out to do evil works is against Jesus’ will. It can also be from saying evil things to entice others into having evil thoughts or acting out in evil ways. What we say and do can also hinder or prevent someone from seeking Jesus; we can even act and speak in Righteousness most of the time, but James understood that sometimes our thoughts – our prejudices and judgements pre-conceived upon others, can cause us to say and do things improperly, and if don’t correct these actions, it can lead to an observer to either believe we are not of Jesus, or that Jesus is ‘okay’ with our unrighteous behavior.
Our tongues and actions can spread slander and falsehoods against another; we may think we are justified, when in fact we are wrong. Often it is simply our will overriding the Holy Spirit in order to paint another as evil or wrong. Jesus, for example, though being sinless and Godly, was portrayed as Satanic and criminal by the Pharisees, and it was their slander that led to His crucifixion. Paul also was eventually imprisoned and later executed, started by accusations of blasphemy and defiling the Temple with foreigners (Acts 21:28).
In Jesus, the injustice of illicit accusations and scandals brought forth justice, for Jesus it fulfilled the Levitical Law and the prophecies that He is the Messiah, God Manifested to become the Ultimate Sacrifice so that we may be saved and redeemed by Him. For Paul, the lead up to his death in Rome allowed him to demonstrate his Faith in Christ and to witness to those around him, which eventually led to Christianity becoming Rome’s religion and overcoming the false gods Rome had worshipped.
We must be careful not to immediately jump to conclusions when scandals appear. Pray for the Lord to provide discernment and stay Righteous in word and deed, and pray for those who are involved in the scandal – both the target and the accuser – to allow God to protect the Righteous and to change the heart of the wrongdoer. Seek the Truth, and ensure you have the Truth, before acting out on what you may think is the Truth. If you act out on a falsehood, recognize it, repent and correct yourself by acting in Truth.
