DENIGRATION

I Was Just Thinking About – DENIGRATION.

Denigration means: “To speak damagingly of another; criticize in a derogatory manner; defame; to treat or represent one as lacking in value or importance; belittle; disparage.” At the very least, a couple of things are taking place: (1) Another person is spoken of in an unkind way: (2) It is a ‘put-down’ of another person who is then used as a stepping stone for another’s ambition and goal.

We like to occasionally watch Shark Tank on Television. There are situations where we change channels when one of the regular investors denigrates a guest entrepreneur. When he disagrees with the presentation or evaluations, he uses the expression: “you’ll be crushed like the cockroaches you are.” It brings some presenters to tears whereas the denigrating investor smirks as he prepares himself for his next casualty or victim.

Denigration also occurs in churches and denominations. Those who are consulted about a man or men for a vacant pulpit are sometimes discussed in an unkind and denigrating way. Words sometimes used are: Blunderbuss (one whose actions or way of doing things is regarded as lacking precision); Not A Good Fit; Lazy; Doesn’t work well with people; etc. Those who offer such opinions and designations are failing to apply Biblical principles.

Philippians 2:3-4 should be reviewed and applied: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others as more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."

The follower and servant of Jesus Christ will have enemies that are encountered along the way. Second Timothy 3:12, Paul reminds Timothy: “All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus reminded His follows of the grim reality that may be experienced: “Blessed are you when others revile you (criticize or angrily insult) and persecute you (being met with hostility and ill-treatment) and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on My account.” When these and other negative actions and behaviors are taking place, what does Jesus teach one should be doing: “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so the persecuted the prophets (and others) who were before you.”

Will the Christian Life become better as time passes? No! Can it – will it – become more intense and challenging? Yes! Will it entail loss of possessions, property, loved ones and one’s own life? Yes. Matthew 24:9 summarizes that when hostile people determine one is a follower of Jesus Christ, “They will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.”

The words to a Hymn written in 1926 asks a focused and relevant question:

Are ye able, said the Master,
To be crucified with Me?
Yea, the sturdy dreamers answered,
To the death we follow Thee.

Are ye able, when the anguish
Racks your mind and heart with pain,
To forgive the souls who wrong you,
Who would make your striving vain?

Refrain:

Lord, we are able. Our spirits are Thine.
Remold them, make us, like Thee, divine.
Thy guiding radiance above us shall be
A beacon to God, to love and loyalty.

Are YOU Ready, Willing and Able to go all the way with The Master? Prayerfully – Consider these things with me.