Do you hear what I hear?

Do you hear what I hear?

By: Dr. Jeff Fuller

Rhetoric!  That is all we hear.  Constantly, over and over again, attempting to drown out the voices of reason and wisdom.  On the one side there is rhetoric which is an “effective expression in writing or speech,” on the other hand there are those who speak or write with “language which is not sincere.” 

While I pray that each time I speak it is rhetoric which is effective and sincere; I know that at times I may be flapping my gums for the sake of being heard.  We had a word in high school for that.  I am afraid this is a lot of what is going on around us in our world today, particularly in relation to the government.

We hear speeches; speeches that stir the heart and soul.  These are speeches which could be published and handed down from generation to generation.  These are so good that “sound bytes” are created from speeches and heard over and over again through the news outlets, on the Internet, and even on Facebook and printed in the newspapers and magazines.     

Yet, these are void of action, void of purpose, void of any worthwhile exercise to carry them out, and to see the intent of the speech to the end result-change.  Yes, we have heard it before, and we will hear it again, but there will be no effect.  It is a speech that sounds good, makes people feel good, but there will be no action.  Rhetoric! 

Also, there are those who write or speak with no thought to answering the questions.  It is not because those who are asking the questions, “can’t handle the answer”, but it is because the speaker does not have an answer.  He or she will make sure that their potential answer to the question makes them look good, that they love the country, and have the best interest of society at heart, but they ramble with no answer.  Non-whatsoever!  Rhetoric! 

For every speech or writing there are two very clear rules that everyone must abide by.  One is, “Remember the Three S’s.”  These are important principles to live by: “Stand Up, Speak Up, and Shut Up.”  The other is as important and it is the acrostic for the word KISS: Keep It Simple Silly. (I actually changed the last word in that principle, in honor of my wife)

Another is honesty.  The Bible says, “Let your word ‘yes’ be ‘yes,’ and your ‘no’ be ‘no.’ Anything more than this is from the evil one.” (Matthew 5:37 HCSB)  If you know the truth; speak the truth and write the truth.  If you do not know the truth or the answer, then just admit you do not have any knowledge of the issue and leave it alone.  Afterwards the question can be researched out, and then you can speak wisely and intelligently.

Lastly, be humble.  It is easy to be full of ourselves and attempt to show how we can lord over others, but humility will go a great deal farther.  Jesus, the greatest example of humility I have ever known, said, “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 14:11 HCSB)  Those who desire the high places of leadership for gain will ultimately fail and fall; those whose trust is in the Lord (Proverbs 3:5-6), God places in high places of leadership and these individuals will be there because God put them there and whatever befalls them they will stand. (Matthew 7:24)  If all of us will trust God and place our lives in His hands, He will do as He pleases with us and we will find favor with God and with man. (James 4:4:6-10 and 1 Peter 5:6)

My desire is to be heard, to know the subject for which I am to speak about and have a relationship with God that others will see and glorify God, not me.  I want to be that light and salt Jesus spoke of in the Sermon on the Mount: “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It’s no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled on by men. “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:13-16 HCSB)

Will you join me in being “effective…sincere?”  Will you pray with me that God will raise up godly leaders who will bring us back to God and His love and His favor?  Will you?

Until next time…

(Dr. Jeff Fuller is pastor of the Rockford Baptist Church in Rockford, Alabama.  You can reach him through the church office at 256-377-4900 or by email at fuller0717@gmail.com.)