Attack Ideas, Not People

In a 2008 interview, Justice Antonin Scalia said, “I attack ideas. I don't attack people. And some very good people have some very bad ideas. And if you can't separate the two, you gotta get another day job. You don't want to be a judge. At least not a judge on a multi-member panel.

Whether Justice Scalia knew it or not, or intended it or not, his statement was rooted in the Bible. Never are we to attack the person and never are we to be the judge.

Peter tells us of angels that dealt with sinful people who walked, “after the flesh”, and how the angels did not speak adversely to them or about them.

“Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. ” (2 Peter 2:11-10).

The archangel Michael treated the devil in similar fashion.

“Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.” (Jude 9)

There are several things we can learn from Michael and the angels

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1. There is never a cause to bring a “railing accusation” against anyone. Even if you come from a position of superior strength or righteousness, even if you are right and they are wrong, and even if you are good and they are bad, never is justification for personal attacks.

2. We are to be like Christ, imitators of Him in every way. Never should we act in opposition to His Spirit that fills us. Abusive, reproachful, critical, cynical, disparaging language is not Christ like. Never should we bring such a thing “before the Lord”

“And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” (Ephesians 4:24-27, 29)

3. Turn it all over to the Lord. Let God rebuke the evil doer in His time and in His manner. God said, “To me belongeth vengeance and recompence” (Deuteronomy 32:35).

The Apostle Paul made it clear: “Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” (Romans 12:14, 17-19).

Regardless of right, might, or offense, always remember the following:

“Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:14-15).

Bill Hitchcock