UGLY IS AS UGLY DOES
Remember Forrest Gump? One his momma’s sayings was, “Stupid is as stupid does.” The title of this
article is a variation on that theme. Ugly acting people with ugly attitudes--what does a person do with
them? How does one handle such people? This is a problem that everyone has to deal with at sometime
in their lives. It seems that if a man is going to do the work of a gospel preacher or serve as an elder in the
Lord’s church, he might as well brace himself for the problem of dealing with difficult people with ugly
actions and ugly attitudes. Sadly, at times these ugly people are “faithful” members of the Lord’s church.
As one who has preached the gospel for over forty years and served as an elder for four of those
years, I certainly do not claim to have all the answer. In fact, dealing with ugly people is just as difficult
now as it was forty years ago. I admit there are times when I still struggle with the task. But as we think
about this matter, it is evident that there are several approaches that can be used. One of these is the “Get
Even Method.” Some folks fall for this method--when someone acts ugly toward them, they are ready to
get ugly right back. Nearly every time this method is used, things then get really ugly, which makes
sense: Ugly + ugly = double ugly! It is also contrary to Romans 12:19-21: “Avenge not yourselves,
beloved, but give place unto the wrath of God: for it is written, Vengeance belongeth unto me; I will
recompense, saith the Lord. But if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him to drink: for in so
doing thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”
As someone has said, you just cannot allow yourself to get down on their level and act like they are
acting, no matter how “good” it might make you feel. Another wisely pointed out that “If a yellow dog
came up barking at you on the side- walk, would you be foolish enough to get down on your knees and
bark back at them?” Such ought to be (and is) beneath the dignity of a child of God!
In this matter of dealing with ugly people (as in all other matters), Jesus is our Perfect Example. “For
hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should
follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who, when he was reviled, reviled
not again; when he suffered threatened not; but committed himself to him that Judith righteously” (1 Pet.
2:21-23). Our Lord did not use the “Get Even Method.” Neither should we. More on this subject next
week.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: Jesus truly did know more than His parents did--yet He obeyed them.
Have a great week!
Love ya,
Jesse
article is a variation on that theme. Ugly acting people with ugly attitudes--what does a person do with
them? How does one handle such people? This is a problem that everyone has to deal with at sometime
in their lives. It seems that if a man is going to do the work of a gospel preacher or serve as an elder in the
Lord’s church, he might as well brace himself for the problem of dealing with difficult people with ugly
actions and ugly attitudes. Sadly, at times these ugly people are “faithful” members of the Lord’s church.
As one who has preached the gospel for over forty years and served as an elder for four of those
years, I certainly do not claim to have all the answer. In fact, dealing with ugly people is just as difficult
now as it was forty years ago. I admit there are times when I still struggle with the task. But as we think
about this matter, it is evident that there are several approaches that can be used. One of these is the “Get
Even Method.” Some folks fall for this method--when someone acts ugly toward them, they are ready to
get ugly right back. Nearly every time this method is used, things then get really ugly, which makes
sense: Ugly + ugly = double ugly! It is also contrary to Romans 12:19-21: “Avenge not yourselves,
beloved, but give place unto the wrath of God: for it is written, Vengeance belongeth unto me; I will
recompense, saith the Lord. But if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him to drink: for in so
doing thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”
As someone has said, you just cannot allow yourself to get down on their level and act like they are
acting, no matter how “good” it might make you feel. Another wisely pointed out that “If a yellow dog
came up barking at you on the side- walk, would you be foolish enough to get down on your knees and
bark back at them?” Such ought to be (and is) beneath the dignity of a child of God!
In this matter of dealing with ugly people (as in all other matters), Jesus is our Perfect Example. “For
hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should
follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who, when he was reviled, reviled
not again; when he suffered threatened not; but committed himself to him that Judith righteously” (1 Pet.
2:21-23). Our Lord did not use the “Get Even Method.” Neither should we. More on this subject next
week.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: Jesus truly did know more than His parents did--yet He obeyed them.
Have a great week!
Love ya,
Jesse
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