Glendive Evangelical Church
Loving God, Loving Others
July, 2012
Below is an article Pastor Robert wrote for the Glendive Ranger Review on the subject of letting justice takes it's course.
Trayvon Martin, George Zimmerman… By simply mentioning these two names together various emotions and opinions come to the surface. If you remember, George Zimmerman shot and killed Trayvon Martin in Florida and the events surrounding that shooting have sparked debate across our country. Even before any facts were known in the case, pro-Martin and pro-Zimmerman Americans were speaking out. It was as if the case had already gone to court and every American had sat on the jury and knew beyond doubt who was guilty and who was innocent.
This week, we have experienced a similar phenomenon as a man from the Glendive area has been charged with multiple counts of child sex abuse. Lines have been drawn with some declaring that the man should be hung and others saying that they know the man and he would never do what he has been charged with. In today’s world of instant information, we think that we have enough evidence to either declare the accuser to be truthful or a liar and the accused as innocent or guilty. We act like we can simply get rid of the justice system and go with the loudest voices on Facebook in determining truth.
In Proverbs 11:9 it states, “With his mouth the godless destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous escape.” I’m sure that as soon as I quote this verse, each side on this issue thinks that it vindicates them. The one who says the accused is guilty thinks that this speaks to those who are declaring the accusers to be liars while the one who thinks the accused is innocent thinks this verse refers to the person who has already judged guilt for the accused. If you read this verse carefully, you will realize that it addresses both sides. At this point, virtually nothing is known by the general public. We know witnesses have come forward and made accusations and we know that charges have been filed. You might know the accuser or the accused, but even that is not enough knowledge to speak an opinion in this matter. Without knowledge (sitting in a courtroom and hearing the evidence), our mouths should be shut.
For those declaring the accused innocent, think about what you are saying. By that simple stance, you are stating that the accusers are lying. On what basis do you make that determination? At this point, you don’t even know who all the accusers are. They could be your friends or neighbors and by your statement, you have lived out the first part of this verse and destroyed them with your words. For those declaring the accused guilty and that he should hang, where did you get the facts of the case? An accusation is not a conviction. Wait for the legal process to work itself out before making statements of guilt or innocence.
Before you think that this article was intended for your neighbor and that it somehow vindicates your position, think again. Ask yourself: Do I have enough information to declare the accuser a liar or enough information to pass judgment on the accused?
Proverbs 15:28 states, “The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.”
This week, we have experienced a similar phenomenon as a man from the Glendive area has been charged with multiple counts of child sex abuse. Lines have been drawn with some declaring that the man should be hung and others saying that they know the man and he would never do what he has been charged with. In today’s world of instant information, we think that we have enough evidence to either declare the accuser to be truthful or a liar and the accused as innocent or guilty. We act like we can simply get rid of the justice system and go with the loudest voices on Facebook in determining truth.
In Proverbs 11:9 it states, “With his mouth the godless destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous escape.” I’m sure that as soon as I quote this verse, each side on this issue thinks that it vindicates them. The one who says the accused is guilty thinks that this speaks to those who are declaring the accusers to be liars while the one who thinks the accused is innocent thinks this verse refers to the person who has already judged guilt for the accused. If you read this verse carefully, you will realize that it addresses both sides. At this point, virtually nothing is known by the general public. We know witnesses have come forward and made accusations and we know that charges have been filed. You might know the accuser or the accused, but even that is not enough knowledge to speak an opinion in this matter. Without knowledge (sitting in a courtroom and hearing the evidence), our mouths should be shut.
For those declaring the accused innocent, think about what you are saying. By that simple stance, you are stating that the accusers are lying. On what basis do you make that determination? At this point, you don’t even know who all the accusers are. They could be your friends or neighbors and by your statement, you have lived out the first part of this verse and destroyed them with your words. For those declaring the accused guilty and that he should hang, where did you get the facts of the case? An accusation is not a conviction. Wait for the legal process to work itself out before making statements of guilt or innocence.
Before you think that this article was intended for your neighbor and that it somehow vindicates your position, think again. Ask yourself: Do I have enough information to declare the accuser a liar or enough information to pass judgment on the accused?
Proverbs 15:28 states, “The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.”
Glendive Evangelical Church, 118 W Borden St, Glendive, MT 59330, 406-377-4202
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