Jesus: "I'm Looking at You, Christians."

I watched a video this week of a man angry that he had to wear a mask at Wal-Mart. (another link https://twitter.com/davenewworld_2/status/1299874056318210050) He was out of control, yelling at the workers, cussing them out, standing over them and pressing his body into them.  It went on a long time and the workers maintained their composure while he spewed bile and hatred (and spit) all over them. 

And guess how he started out?  By yelling that he was a godly man having to deal with these rules.  

Jesus said, “Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.   The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil things stored up in him.  But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.   For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”  Matthew 12:34-37.

I couldn’t see anything godly in that man.  This verse says his mouth is speaking from the overflow of his heart, and it was ugly and evil.  

I know we all lose it sometimes.  Christians are a work in progress and make as many mistakes as anyone else.  But when you see that much rage overflowing for a sustained time, there’s a serious heart problem.  And what makes it even worse is that the targets of his wrath were employees who have no power to change the rules.  They were exemplary in their refusal to respond on his level.  And he was despicable in his disrespectful treatment of people just doing their job.

If you’re tempted to have a tirade, if your anger is simmering right below the surface and about ready to boil over, it’s time to have a little talk with Jesus.  Step back.  Go home.  Lock yourself in the bathroom.  Whatever.  But don’t take it out on the other people walking this earth with you.  They are in the same boat you are in.  We are all flawed, we are all frail, we are all trying.  And your heart is showing.