Think ABout It

Yesterday, Honey and I discussed the thoughtless and inconsiderate actions and/or words people take/use, hurting or offending others, without specific intent. We decided to see if we could find references to such in the Bible. Matthew 12:36 says, "But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment." Proverbs gives many an account of how not to treat people and Jesus reinforced treating people well when instructing people to "love thy neighbor as thyself…" I searched for biblical references to thoughtlessness and found none specifically using that word. I did find a Bible Concordance that used words such as 'hater of knowledge' and 'leave simple-mindedness and walk in understanding' when searching for thoughtlessness.  Thoughtlessly  produced this reference: Leviticus 5:4 Or if anyone, without thought, takes an oath to do evil or to do good, whatever he says without thought, with an oath, having no knowledge of what he is doing; when it becomes clear to him, he will be responsible for any of these things."

Just these few examples alone show this to be ignorant, foolish behavior for which we will stand accountable. We all know people, including ourselves, that have tossed verbal shots at someone thinking we were brighter, quicker, 'showing them' and/or 'giving back what we got' without much concern for any harm our words or actions produce. Sometimes we feel quite proud of our verbal prowess. How foolish we will feel when we stand up on Judgment Day and have to account for all that….we won't feel so proud then, will we?  Some people toss verbal bombs in the name of 'teasing' or 'just kidding' or 'I'm just messing with you' and try to laugh off any injury they may have caused. This is passive aggressive behavior capable of drawing blood just as a sword might.

I think people mask selfishness when thoughtless in deed and action. Perhaps even, in lack of action in some cases. We all know those that will not do anything that may put them out or is inconvenient for them no matter the situation. They are all for helping others as long as it doesn’t really require anything extra on their part. This attitude usually collaborates with a "What's in it for me?" mentality. James 3:16 "For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed." (WEB NAS RSV NIV  Proverbs 18:1 "An unfriendly man pursues selfishness, and defies all sound judgment." (Root in WEB NIV)

Have you ever heard someone justify a thoughtless word/deed with "I just wasn't thinking"? Can we really say we were just not thinking? Are we ever in a state of brain activity when we are truly not thinking? No, our brain rolls on whether we are paying attention or not. Dreams are brain activity themselves. So, no, we cannot say we were just not thinking. It would be accurate to say, "I wasn't thinking of how my actions may have affected you" or "I was only thinking of myself and what I wanted" but we cannot dismiss carelessness and thoughtlessness by claiming lack of thought. Isaiah 47:8 "Therefore hear now this, thou that art given to pleasures, that dwellest carelessly, that sayest in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me; …"

Friends, our desire to be more Christ-like as we walk in faith here on earth does not make allowances for thoughtless words or deeds. We have the mind of Christ; we cannot pass that off as careless and unthinking. Neither are we to function as those living for and in the world.  

Romans 12:2-3 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.

We are to take ownership of your actions and words, making sure we reflect the love of Jesus Christ in all we say and do. Think about it….