“It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” 1 Corinthians 13:5
Using your left hand to shake hands; opening gifts as soon as they are given; showing the soles of your feet; crossing your legs; arriving on time v arriving late. All of these are examples of rudeness within cultures. Often those who go outside of their cultures end up being rude without realising it and it is very funny and no offence is taken. But in some cultures dishonour is to experience such great shame that it can only be cleansed by ritual suicide (Japanese samurai). There lies the huge spectrum of rudeness and dishonour.
In social media yesterday I caught a trail of conversation which started out with a request from someone and before long it turned into an argument between 2 unconnected people. It ended with a simple message “rude!”
I attended a conference several years ago and a church leader who hardly knew me and certainly not enough to ask me this question, with no introduction, “what are we going to do about your girth?” My response was immediate, with no attempt of an answer, but my own question, “what are we going to do about your rudeness?”
Love cannot be rude or dishonouring. Love treats others with respect and consideration. Love honours the dignity of the other person, takes into account their feelings and communicates with care. It is to choose kind words.
Dishonour has become so normal that when honour is demonstrated it is a wow moment. Social media is full of dishonour. Those occupying great positions in the world of Church and Politics dishonour others all the time to reclaim ground.
When dishonour doesn’t work, offence is born. Offended hearts end the show. The lights are out. Nothing is going to be done. Love has died.
Missions Paul 