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FATHER, FORGIVE THEIR IGNORANCE

    When Jesus was being crucified, he looked at his murderers and said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing . . .” (Luke 23:34).

    Now, he was not being soft on sin, and he was certainly not excusing personal responsibility.  Instead, he was expressing a valid psychological principle.  He knew that most evil is done in ignorance.

   Later, Peter expressed this same thing to a crowd of people: He said, “You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go.  You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you.  You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this.  Now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders” (Acts 3:13-15,17).

    Ignorance is a great sin.  It promotes fear, and fear promotes defensiveness; defensiveness promotes hostility, and hostility promotes violence.

    So, when you are intimidated or attacked by someone else’s anger, realize, “This person is probably feeling very threatened and insecure.”  Then you can choose to respond in one of three ways:

    1.  First, if the offense is slight and general, try to ignore situations that include yelling and negativity.  Instead, be very attentive when the discussion is reasonably and positive.

    2.  Next, if the offense is not particularly personal or derogatory, say, “I’m sorry you are upset.  Is there anything I can do to make you feel better?”

    3.  Finally, if the offense is extreme or occurs often, you may need to become assertive.  Use “I” language and say, “I do not appreciate your comments.  Please speak to me in a respectful manner.”

    If these don’t work, try to avoid the offensive individual.  That was Jesus’ advice to his disciples.  He said, “Don’t give holy things to dogs.  Don’t throw your pearls before pigs.  Pigs will only trample on them. And the dogs will only turn to attack you” (Matt.  7:6, edb);

    Jesus said, “If a home or town refuses to welcome you or listen to you, then leave that place.  Shake its dust off your feet” (Matt 10:14, edb).  To me, “Shake it’s dust off your feet” means, “make tracks,” “get away from there,” “don’t stick around.”
   
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This issue of NEW PERSPECTIVES  is from an unpublished manuscript © copyrighted 2008 by Miles and Maralene Wesner, Idabel, OK.  PLEASE FEEL FREE TO USE THEM IN ANY WAY YOU THINK IS APPROPRIATE.  The only thing we ask is that you give credit for original material in PUBLISHED works. 

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Miles E Wesner

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