Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK

“Self-Flagellation”
“If you have good sense, it will show when you speak. But if you are stupid, you will be beaten.” – Proverbs 10:13 (Contemporary English Version)

Images of Jesus being flogged in preparation for His crucifixion were no more vivid than those from the movie, “The Passion of the Christ.” The scenes were disturbing to say the least—and for many it was a reminder of the stark reality of the price Jesus paid for our salvation. Flogging (or flagellation) has been used for centuries. It is the act of methodically beating or whipping (Latin flagellum, "whip") the human body. Specialized implements for it include rods, switches (something my parents knew how to use), belts (or straps of leather) called a “sjambok.” Typically, flogging is imposed on an unwilling subject as a punishment; however, it can also be submitted to willingly, or performed on oneself, in religious ceremonies. We’ve probably seen pictures of groups of men “flogging” themselves to show their devotion to their beliefs. Solomon’s thoughts here are telling us that when our words and/or actions go outside the boundaries of good taste or are abusive—we will certainly feel the effects (get beaten up so to speak) in probably more ways than one. The truth of the matter is that far too often we have the tendency to actually beat ourselves up—we become our own worst enemy because we do not “think through” what we do or what we say. Several years ago the Peanuts comic strip had Lucy and Charlie Brown practicing football. Lucy would hold the ball for Charlie’s placekicking and then Charlie would kick the ball. But every time Lucy had ever held the ball for Charlie, he would approach the ball and kick with all his might. At the precise moment of the point of no return, Lucy would pick up the ball and Charlie would kick and his momentum unchecked by the ball, which was not there to kick, would cause him to fall flat on his back. This strip opened with Lucy holding the ball, but Charlie Brown would not kick the ball. Lucy begged him to kick the ball. But Charlie Brown said, "Every time I try to kick the ball you remove it and I fall on my back." They went back and forth for the longest time and finally Lucy broke down in tears and admitted, "Charlie Brown I have been so terrible to you over the years, picking up the football like I have. I have played so many cruel tricks on you, but I’ve seen the error of my ways! I’ve seen the hurt look in your eyes when I’ve deceived you. I’ve been wrong, so wrong. Won’t you give a poor penitent girl another chance?" Charlie Brown was moved by her display of grief and responded to her, "Of course, I’ll give you another chance." He stepped back as she held the ball, and he ran. At the last moment, Lucy picked up the ball and Charlie Brown fell flat on his back. Lucy’s last words were, "Recognizing your faults and actually changing your ways are two different things, Charlie Brown!" What I have always liked about Charlie Brown is that his intentions were always in the right place, it is just his actions and words often failed him. Much like what often happens in our own lives. How “sensible” are you? Are you working to do things the right way? Or are your words and actions causing you to feel, “beat up?” For over ten chapters, and a lot of words, Solomon has called for us to seek and pursue wisdom as the supreme benefit for our lives. And not just any wisdom mind you, God’s wisdom. It is worth the effort. Stop beating yourself up. We all have the opportunity to enhance our lives. Why not go for it?
Pastor J. T. Carnell