TAKING TIME TO THINK
E-mails make communication so much quicker. We have a commission from God to take the gospel into all the world (Mark 16:15). As we try to teach others about Jesus, it is necessary to communicate the truth and to do so with the proper spirit (Galatians 1:8,9; Ephesians 4:15). If we communicate the truth with the wrong spirit we may lose the one we are trying to teach. If we manifest the correct spirit but fail to teach the truth, the result can be the loss of the one we are trying to reach. Even though e-mails make communication faster, it still requires us to speak the truth and to do so with the proper spirit.
How do we react when we get an email from someone that angers us? This is the problem with speed. When we are brought to anger, sometimes the first words that come out really do not reflect the true depth of our spirit. Often times when counseling individuals with marital problems, we tell them if they are both angry, one should leave the room until things calm down. Would not the same be true when two Christians are exchanging e-mails? Someone needs to take time and step back away from the e-mail and give thought to what is being said.
Our Lord has instructed us to be swift to hear and slow to speak (James 1:19). Johnson's Notes on the New Testament gives this rendering on this verse in James. "Let each saint hear and learn, but be careful not to speak rashly, and especially in anger." The KJV renders it, "slow to wrath". From the Old Testament, we are taught to keep our hearts with all diligence (Proverbs 4:23). It requires us to keep a watch on that which we fill our hearts up with but it also calls upon us to exercise caution on that which proceeds from our hearts.
If one can be angry without a cause, it stands to reason one can be angry with a cause (Matthew 5:22). Mark tells us that Jesus looked round about on them with anger (Mark 3:5). The definition here of anger is justifiable abhorrence (Strong's Concordance). Because of the hardness of the hearts with those with whom Jesus was dealing, His face reflected the anger He felt. We, then, because we receive an ugly email, may be justified in our anger. Here is where we need time to think. We need to ponder what our response should be. We think about what we are writing and we think about how we are saying it.
John records for us the miracle when Jesus fed over 5,000 with a few loaves and fish (John 6:5-14). The end result of this great miracle was that those there made the connection that Jesus was that Prophet for whom they had been looking (verse 14). Jesus came to be a King (John 18:36). Why then not allow this audience of 5,000 to make Him a king since that is what He came to do? This was God?s business and God?s timetable (Acts 2:23). This then was not in accord with the will of God. What would Jesus do?
Jesus leaves the crowd and goes into a mountain alone. He had done a great miracle and His popularity was at an all time high. Yet He stepped away from it all and took time alone. It is a good lesson for us. There are times when we need to step back from the edge of what is happening and take time to think. What is to be gained by making a fast response? My obligation is not only to respond, but to respond with the correct spirit. I do not see that much is gained if I fail to respond. I have written letters to some brethren who have departed from the faith and their response is to not answer back.
There is a good deal of anger out there within the brotherhood. May each of us take time to think and thereby not allow Satan to deceive us. He is the enemy and we should not be fooled by his devices (II Corinthians 2:11). This I know will be hard for some. Take time to think and turn off your computer while you do.