Speak Well

I say to you, love your enemies, bless those that curse you, do good to them that hate you and pray for them that spitefully use and persecute you.  Matthew 5:44 

History records an incident when General Robert E. Lee was asked by Confederate President Jefferson Davis to give his opinion about an officer in his command.  He gave a glowing report.  One of the officers in attendance was amazed and said to Lee, “General do you know that the man of whom you speak so highly to the president is one of your bitterest enemies and never misses an opportunity to criticize you?”  “Yes,” said Lee, “but the president asked for my opinion of him, not his opinion of me.”

In this age of social media, instant news, and critical reporting of those in public offices, entertainment, sports, and local politics, it would be refreshing to hear someone speak of the positive characteristics each  of these people possess.

It takes someone of character, compassion, and courage to take the high road in the character bashing that we are witnessing and speak words of praise instead of condemnation.  It takes very little effort to respond in kind to a critic, but it takes a Christlike character to turn the other cheek and respond with kindness.

When we respond in kindness, it defuses the enemy’s criticism, it increases our value as a person, and it shows a fair minded and generous nature which exemplifies Christ.

Although this sounds like a high standard in this time of “jumping on the band wagon” to point out all the character flaws in others, it is the standard that Jesus set and practiced throughout His life.  He is calling us as Christians to see others through His eyes and point out the positive in our fellow men instead of dwelling on the negative.

As I pray for our country and world today, my prayer is that we can begin to speak well of our fellow man.