When I was four or five years old my aunt took me to see Walt Disney's Bambi movie. It was either the first or one of the first big screen movies that I had ever seen and it made it's impression on me. I loved all the colours and the music and drama and I fell in love with movies.
One of the most important lines of script in that movie was uttered by Thumper the little rabbit. He had just watched Bambi, the new born, try to stand and walk. He laughed and made fun of Bambi. Thumper's mama corrected him and asked him "what did your father tell you?" As he twitched and pulled on his ears and hung his head he said: "if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all". Oh I love that line!
If only everyone had the sense of Thumper! If only we would think before we speak. But we live in a world where everyone wants to be heard. We throw around our opinions carelessly and don't think of the consequences. Thumper threw his opinion of Bambi's clumsiness without first thinking of how it might make Bambi feel.
I guess we are all guilty of this from time to time, but the Word of God is very clear on how we are to speak to one another. Php 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. We live in a world where we are told to 'look out for number one', and 'you deserve' but that is a world that is contrary to the Scriptures. As Christ's representatives we need to be a shining example of His love. It's not always easy because we have to fight the flesh every day.
We want to be heard, we want to be seen,but this is not the way of Christ. If we come across something that a brother in Christ has done, instead of spouting off our opinion right away, we need to stop and pray and ask for direction. Most times if we back off, the Holy Spirit will do the correcting that is needed and no hurt feelings will be caused. I don't always succeed but I do try to live by Thumper's wise words "if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all." He was a wise little rabbit.
Post a Comment