Rush Limbaugh is just the latest. As news broke on February 17th that Rush died, social media lit up with both tributes and criticisms. Let’s be honest, both of those things are true regardless of who you are or for whatever you stand. Some will agree with you and some will disagree.
My response, “No problem.”
Every person holds their own opinions about everything. Name any issue and people will agree and disagree with each other. This is called communication of ideas. The enterprise of communication of ideas profits everyone. We strive to hear multiple opinions. An echo chamber, where one hears only the side with which one agrees, serves no one. Instead, those around you who respectfully ask questions and offer other opinion help you as you polish your thinking. The Bible describes it as “iron sharpens iron” (Prov 27:17).
However, what I have noticed over the past ten years is a growing trend by some to sneer and celebrate the death or impending death of another. I recall reading people wish for President Obama’s death while in office – totally an unacceptable comment for public discourse and worthy of excoriation. Remember when Kathy Griffin held the fake decapitated head of President Trump in her hand with fake blood dripping off of it? As I wrote then on this blog, totally unacceptable. Most recently, when President Trump was diagnosed with COVID, many went again to social media and publicly wished he would die of it. Now, yesterday’s response to Rush’s death by some equals this.[1]
The response of one person made in the image of God hoping for another person’s death – who is also made in the image of God – represents the depth of depravity and sin that can reign within us. All the way back to the beginning years of civilization, Cain chose to kill Abel over jealousy and frustration (Genesis 4). That same spirit that murders also hates. In a similar way, that same spirit celebrates the thought of another person dying or the reality of the other’s death.
Make no mistake about it, this type of spirit should be immediately called out for what it is. You can’t blame President Obama, President Trump, or Rush Limbaugh (as the three examples). Just because a person fails to meet your standards for human decency (or however you would describe the person with whom you disagree) does not give you freedom to wish for that person’s death or harm.
Three Important Thoughts to Consider…
As I implied above, this is true regardless of your political or religious affiliation. No individual human should wish for the death or physical harm of another. As you will see below, you can wish for justice. Further, you can hope God providentially removes a person’s influence. However, the desire to see someone else die reflects your heart more than the other person. To celebrate another person’s death reflects your own brokenness more than the other person’s. God reigns over both death and final justice. To wish for and celebrate another person’s physical harm or death places yourself in God’s place, exactly where you do not belong.
Made in the Image of God
The person you desire to see die or are celebrating his or her death also is made in the image of God. Both you and the other person share the image of God. God created all men and women equally in the image of God. Because of that, God declared murder wrong, cursing others as wrong, and anything else that minimizes the image of God (cf., Genesis 9:6; James 3:9). Wishing or celebrating someone else’s harm or death fits these categories of wrongness.
Respect the Image of God
The Bible makes it clear that we are to respond to each other with respect. Do we disagree? Of course we do, which proves we are human. Human conflict began in the Garden of Eden as I mentioned above. But disagreement does not equal disrespect. I rejoice that most people who disagree with me do not also disrespect me. We are to show honor to all people (1 Pet 2:17). We can respect each other as people in the image of God and still disagree. In fact, we must if God is to be honored. This must be more than mere words; instead it should be demonstrated in our attitude, tone, and demeanor.
Hope and Prayer for the Image of God
In addition to respecting others made in the image of God, we also should hope and pray for those same people. If the other person who in the flesh you desire to see die or get harmed is as bad as you have assessed, then you should pray for their soul. You should hope that God reaches this person before it is eternally too late.
You may be thinking, “Well, just let them go to hell. That is where they belong.” If that crosses your mind, that thought demonstrates you have no understanding of hell. Or, that thought demonstrates you have significant spiritual struggles in your own soul. How could any person who truly understands the Bible teaching on hell want another person to go there? Again, this type of desire to see one die reflects your own heart more than the other person’s problem.
What Should You Do?
The next logical question is, “What should you do then?”
Great question. Among other things, let me suggest at least three immediate steps.
First, pray. Pray for your own heart to be sensitive toward those made in the image of God. Pray that God works in the heart of the one upon whom you would wish harm or death. Further, pray that God’s will would be done in the life of the other person as well.
Second, engage with respect. People call the open space for discussion whether online or in a physical location the public square because it is. This is the place where ideas can formulate, discussions can take place, and where real ideas respectfully stated can be debated. In this environment we all benefit.
Third, begin careful self-counsel. Reflect carefully on your own heart and desires. Seek to find places where you fail to see people as God sees them. Try to determine if you devalue the image of God in other people. Listen to your thoughts and words to evaluate your respect level for those who are in the image of God. If you struggle here, begin with repentance and seek to change. If you choose to disrespect others in your vitriol and conversation, then the problem starts at home – not the other person. We get our own log out before we work on the splinters of others.
Notice what we are not talking about to this point. Instead of focusing our attention on the other person and why that person “deserves” your hate, poor spirit, lack of kindness, and lack of respect, we instead are focusing your attention on your own heart. In fact, if you hate the other person enough to wish for that person’s harm or death, then no doubt in your heart the person deserves it. The issue entails more than simply critique or disagreement with the other person though – no matter how passionate you are about it or how deservingly the other person is to receive it. Related to the other person, God alone handles ultimate vengeance and justice (Rom 13:17-21). Secondary vengeance and justice for evildoers have been given to the government (Rom 13:1-7). Regardless of the other person, the issue begins within you.
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