Slip Of The Tongue

From My Perspective - - - -

There are many trite sayings that are occasionally used as a generalization for ones expressions about particular matters. Sometimes it is represented as coming from someone who’s “thinking on his feet”, or a statement can be relegated to “a slip of the tongue.” There is another statement that is also circulated about some people: “he keeps talking until he can think of something to say…” And then, there is the statement of Jesus Christ in Luke 6:44-45: “Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thorn-bushes, or grapes from briers. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.”

On the basis of “…out of the overflow of the heart his mouth speaks…” one could conclude there is something more to be said about what is expressed than to relegate it to “a slip of the tongue” or a statement is the product of one “thinking on his feet…” Great care has to be exercised to prevent jumping to wrong conclusions. Keeping that firmly in place and mind, it does give one pause when a candidate is asked about his view in terms of when life begins. After verbal meandering, he finally responds to arrive at a firm conclusion is – “above my pay grade.” This is not an acceptable answer or even a valid excuse. What YOU believe should receive a definitive answer. This same time of verbal evasiveness is present when he was being interviewed about his view of the Iraq War and the recent effort of the surge. He cannot get himself to admit that the surge was an excellent military strategy that has brought about a positive result and may very well lead to redeployment of troops because of a greater possibility of peace and democracy in Iraq.

The more telling “slip of the tongue” may have occurred while this candidate was “thinking on his feet” and made the following statement on “This Week with George Stephanopoulos”: “Let's not play games…What I was suggesting -- you're absolutely right that John McCain has not talked about my Muslim faith. And you're absolutely right that that has not come.” Mr. Stephanopoulos interrupted with, "Christian faith." "My Christian faith," Mr. Obama said quickly. "Well, what I'm saying is that he hasn't suggested that I'm a Muslim. And I think that his campaign's upper echelons have not, either…” To be fair, anyone who does public speaking is aware that there are moments when a misstatement can and will be made. One’s hope is that people will grant “the benefit of the doubt” for the speaker and allow for a clarification – not political spin – of his views on the War in Iraq, Abortion, and matters of “Christian” Faith. Fight The Smears (http://my.barackobama.com/page/invite/christian) is an Obama Website where the following statements appear: “Senator Obama has never been a Muslim, was not raised as a Muslim, and is a committed Christian…Barack Obama was sworn in (the US Senate) using his family Bible.”

Consider these things with me - - - and remember the words of Jesus Christ in Matthew 12:36-37, “But I tell you that men 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." The candidates should be precise and honest in what they represent, and others need to be careful and guarded in terms of judgments reached and shared. President Theodore Roosevelt once said regarding foreign policy: “There is a homely old adage which runs: 'Speak softly and carry and big stick; you will go far.' If the American nation will speak softly, and yet build and keep at a pitch of the highest training a thoroughly efficient navy, the Monroe Doctrine will go far.” The “speak softly” is always beneficial. We need to have as the goal and commitment of our lives the words found in Psalm 19:14, “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” I hope this is your concern and commitment.