Several years ago while having lunch with a friend, a white man called me boy. Shock gave way to anger and hurt. My friend even shed tears. Why? The term boy was an insulting label used of black men in the US during slavery, an attempt to steal their identity by demoting them to less than men. As that ugly word recklessly barreled its way through my soul, I wanted to respond with an equally unkind name. But some ancient words from our Master about murder and anger changed my mind.
As Jesus was teaching His followers, He quoted the sixth commandmentYou shall not murderand the penalty for breaking it (Matt. 5:21). Then He gave a fuller interpretation. Taking someones life was not limited to physical murder; you could show contempt for someone through name-calling and be just as guilty. In Jewish culture, to call someone Raca or Fool (v.22) was the equivalent of calling someone empty-headed or an idiot. It was used to demean and demote another. What makes name-calling so damaging is that it insults the God who created that person in His image!
Jesus taught His followers that the weight of our neighbors glory is a burden we carry daily. If we follow His teaching, we wont be guilty of identity theft.
Bible in One Year: Numbers 79; Proverbs 21:1-10
Thank you, Mayor.
Does this mean I can not use bad words reference to dad’s girlfriend?