Disarming the Sling
By CHICKMELIONfreelance
We have all come across an instance when the casting of stones comes into play, whether at work or sitting across a table over a cup of coffee. It may come from within us or from within the one across from us. It is formed as a thought from deep inside. Formed perhaps from some degree of truth and maybe mingled with an emotional reaction of jealousy, fear, or vindictiveness that has been brewing towards an individual. These stones are charged with negative momentum and are thrust out of the throat as words targeted towards a victim. The goal is to entice contagious imitation from onlookers, to justify the legitimacy of the need to cast the stone. Because if two or more agree then it must be true... right?
Usually there is an ulterior motive lying beneath these stack of stones. Not necessarily related in any way to the actual accusations being levied themselves. Understanding that we are dealing with emotional re-actions are key in halting the slinging of these harmful words.
Whether it comes from within you as a poisoned thought or from another individual, for the betterment of all involved the wise choice is to halt this contagious negative energy in it’s tracks. It is what God is asking when He says, “I desire mercy and not sacrifice.” He is asking for an about face from re-acting negatively, to acting responsibly. Why? Simply put, we and anyone close to us lives within and feed from the energy of the words created around and by us. We not only are what we eat, we are what we speak as well.
Thoughts are very powerful! Powerful enough to alter our perception and mindsets. Powerful enough to be adopted by our subconscious and surface as actions. Actions that can translate themselves into words that can cut deep as sharpened swords. When negative energy is involved, there is always a victim in it’s wake. Someone’s well being is ultimately going to get sacrificed. And with a well proven proverb of, “what goes around comes around,” you got to know that if you don’t stop this momentum it will come back and bite you, whether your originated the accusation or merely adopted it.
There is an account in the Bible that portrays this situation in it’s extreme. It paves the foundation on how to successfully disarm a very combative group of people levying serious accusations, whose intent was to paint a few victims into a corner. It can be found in John 8:2-11.
As the account goes, an emotionally charged group of people having some degree of authority in that day and age, drag to the feet of Jesus a woman having been caught in adultery. The Bible is clear in this account, that the intended victim was not necessarily the lady, but rather Jesus . The intent was to transfer their combative charged accusations from the woman, who in reality was just a convenient pawn, towards the one they really wanted to tack to the wall. Motivated by jealousy perhaps, or fear of possible loss of authority and comfortable livelihoods, they seek to entrap their intended victim with a lose /lose situation. Either Jesus buys into “monkey see monkey” do behavior out of fear of reprisal, or he stands and face the storm and risks being accused of betraying the laws of God and the land. Thus being provoked into a war of yet more negatively charged words. Words which they intended to trap Jesus with...thus justifying His stoning as well.
What is relevant to point out, it that the mob is “re-acting” on negatively charged emotional levels, rather than “acting” rationally. God’s statement, “ I desire mercy not sacrifice, “ suggests that an about face in emotions are required. The best way of preventing a continuous contagious chain of re-action is to stop and take a breath! Allow time for the head to take control over the emotion. In this account Jesus stooped down, wrote something on the ground as if he did not hear, before He even raised Himself up to address them. He stopped, He contemplated and then He acted in mercy.
Jesus disengages the angry mob and their negatively charged emotions by asking a very vital question. One which would serve us all well to keep in mind when we think to accuse another human being. He asks the crowd to put themselves in the other person’s shoes. Would they see fit to even stone themselves? It forces the angry mob to see an avenue of mercy by proxy. To recall where they too have stumbled in life and whether or not they themselves figured they deserved to be stoned over it. If the angry mob can recall how easy it is to stumble, then finding a route towards mercy would be an easy step to take. Granted it is easier said than done in the heat of the moment therefore well worth to contemplate before hand and make a practice to stop and cool down from any negatively charged emotion or event. If we can take the time to perceive the responsibility that we assume in throwing a stone, there is a good chance we would not do it.
