Last week at a middle school in Palmer, Alaska, a moose wandered onto the school property. When a group of students who were outside for PE class spotted the moose, they began to taunt the moose (now how one taunts a moose, I have no idea). The moose became so frightened that it threw itself repeatedly into a wall and ultimately died as a result of its injuries. The students were disciplined for their mistreatment of the moose. The principal held an assembly to reinforce proper behavior around moose in order to prevent a similar situation from occurring again.
Animal lovers especially will look at this incident and think, "How cruel! I hope those students pay for their crime!" And I would agree, it is a shame that the actions of these students led to the death of this moose. But I wonder how often we do similar things - not to animals but to our fellow human beings? We may not be so overt in our "taunting" of one another, yet I think we are guilty of taunting far more than we realize. Consider the following dictionary definition of the word taunt: "to reproach in a sarcastic, insulting, or jeering manner; mock." All too often I hear people (self included!) cut others down with a sarcastic comment. But as Christ-followers, the standard for our speech to others is clearly laid out for us in Ephesians 4:29 which reads, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but ONLY what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen" (emphasis mine). You see, whenever we open our mouths to talk to another person - our words should be for THEIR benefit - not ours!!! Think about that today as you talk with the people you encounter.
Thanks for stopping by . . .
pj
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