Recind Rude Retorts (TT)

Was just talking about some rude and annoying people with some friends.  You know, those rude ones that watch videos or take phone calls and speak loudly at the next table at a restaruant, or in other public places.  They do so without compunction or muting their sound.

These are the ones, I told my friends, that I wish I had a stash of inexpensive ear buds to dole out to them.  I'd say something like, "Oh, I noticed you don't have any of these, it would be great if you'd use them,"  while I handed them a set.

Alas, even "inexpensive ones" are not so cheap.  At least, that I've found as yet.

What's to be done with these sorts of people?  Is being rude back an answer?  Like, "Here, I want to see the video too?'  OR, to begin to talk really loudly oneself to override their 'loud' conversation?

Oh, human nature would just LOVE to do that!!!

But Christ in me is not rude.  In 1 Corinthians 13, the "LOVE" chapter, we discover that one characteristic of love is that it is not rude.  God is LOVE.  Jesus Christ is God.  Therefore, Jesus is LOVE, too, and love is not rude.

As believers in Jesus Christ and His followers, we must not be rude either.

We need to bite our tongues and those quick rude retaliating retorts to rude people.  Sigh ...  Being a Christian is not easy.

Deborah Smith Pegues in her book 30 Days to Taming YOUR Tongue, uses the verse, Isaiah 35:8 from the MSG (Message) Bible.  It reads,

"There will be a highway called Holy Road.  No one rude or rebellious is permitted on this road.  It's for God's people exclusively."

I like that.  A highway for the exclusive brethern and 'sistern' who are not rude or rebellious!  Let's keep to this highway.  We can with Holy Spirit's help.  Pray for Him to convict and remind us to keep our words, thoughts and actions polite, civil in private as well as in public.  It's a difficult task I've found.

However, wouldn't you like others to treat you this way too?  I sure would!

Father God, there are times we so want to lash out in rudeness to those who are rude.  Yet pointing a finger at them means I've got three pointing back at myself.  May I, with Your love and Jesus' show that love and kindness and respect to others whom you also love even though they are rude.  Help me to recind rude retorts and even thoughts and actions.  May Your love, that is NOT rude, be the oil in my gears and so bring You glory and honor instead.  So help me, God.  I ask in Jesus' name, Amen.

                                                    ~ ERC  June 2025 ~

Based on Isaiah 35:8 MSG and 30 Days To Taming YOUR Tongue, Day 19 - The Rude Tongue, by Deborah Smith Pegues.

Sing, What You Are, Speaks So Loud, along with Selah Praise Music.

Note:  The photo accompanying above is an old Roman highway (FYI).