Contemplative Bible Reading

Leviticus 19:17 (New International Version)

Do not hate your brother in your heart.
Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in his guilt.

Through the years I have sat in many meetings in my job. One of the adages given often is that if you are present and do not object to what is being said, you agree. In other words,

Silence is agreement.

I never liked that saying. I don’t agree that silence is agreement, but I do agree that

Silence is silence.

Silence, among many things, can be deep thought. One day that thought may surface to something that  can be stated. That day may be years away, and by then it won’t matter. So be it.

Back to the verse at hand. I read two different things in this verse. First,

don’t hate my brother (or sister)

The verse says not to hate them in my heart, but where else would I be hating them, my foot? The New Testament equates hatred to murder. So, no – don’t hate my brother (or sister). Hatred of a person will bring little or no good. Hatred of sin, however, can bring some good.

Now the second part,

openly (or frankly) disagree with sin

Silently going along with sin brings a share of the sin’s guilt on me. I should say and do something about the sin – N O W. There are good and bad ways to “rebuke your neighbor frankly.” I find that a good way is to say, “I don’t like what has happened. I believe it to be sin and we should stop this now.”

God, help me to keep hate of my brothers and sisters out of my heart. Help me to speak openly about sin when I see it. Give me wisdom, love, and compassion in my words.