Articles
A Hair Trigger
The younger generation (subject to definition) is predominantly unaware of the old books and movies of the western genre: a time depicting a battle between good and evil that was settled by a fast draw, and a hair trigger. These books and movies that fascinated the imaginations of many a young man did not rear a generation of knife wielding, gun toting mass killers, but rather a generation that looked up to men (and women), like Roy and Dale Evans, The Cisco Kid, and my favorite, Hopalog Cassidy. They were the heroes!
The society in which we live has few, if any, real-life heroes (most of the heroes are unsung, i.e., the men and women who continue to fight for America’s freedoms). Nevertheless, the heroes of today seem to be super-heroes that have some special power because of some scientific catastrophic event, or a bug bite (save for Batman! Why is Batman the greatest? Well, “He’s Batman”). Nevertheless, I waiver from the point.
Having a fast draw and a hair trigger may have its place in the physical realm, they are not so beneficial in the spiritual realm. The prophet James, says, “Ye know this, my beloved brethren. But let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” (Jam. 1:19-20). If an individual is half awake, the world of news and you have a right to know the truth is dominated by those who strive to get the scoop first, rather than the truth first and then the story. Why is it necessary to “get the scoop”? I believe (doesn’t make it so, just makes it what I believe) it is generated by the fact that people (and we are all people), will believe the first story they hear: recall the Lord saying, “Take heed what (how) ye hear” (Mk. 4:24; Lk. 8:18). The days of Walter Cronkite and David Brinkley are past: when the news was reported without a commentary depicting the opinions of the reporter (yeah, yeah, I know, What about?).
My wife, my partner and fellow-worker in the Lord, has a sign in her young lads classroom that says, “Listen and Silent are spelled with the same letters”: “swift to hear, slow to speak.” I think the following is a good example of “gotta tell someone” (who doesn’t have a dog in the fight), to be sure someone hears it first from me. Next to the meeting house of the church, there is a new building being erected. Due to the nature of proximity and the effect it will have upon the neighbors, the project manager reached out to discuss certain factors of the construction: purpose, blueprints, etc. So, I do not know everything about the construction, but maybe a little more informed than the average bear. Nevertheless, over the last month I have either heard tell (take heed what you hear) or have over-heard others telling what they think they know about purpose and construction, but they want to make sure that you hear it first from them.
Biblically speaking, we can be just as guilty when wanting others (who do not have a dog in the fight) to know “our opinion” about an issue, before all the facts have been heard. And, since many folks believe the first story they hear, and want others to know what they (think) know, then the next thing you know, the Ole John-mule is in trouble, again.
Sure, be quick on the draw, but watch out for that hair trigger.
- A_Hair_Trigger.pdf (56.79 kB)
