By Danny Minton

Walk down any street in the United States and ask a dozen people, “Who was Paul Tibbets?” and most will have no idea. However, they may have a better idea if they went to the theater this weekend and saw the movie “Oppenheimer.” It’s entirely possible that some of those you ask may even owe their very existence to him and eleven other men who were aboard the Enola Gay on August 6, 1945. They were the crew that flew over Hiroshima and dropped a bomb that would lead to the end of WWII. 

Over the years, there has been controversy and arguments over whether the bomb should have been dropped or not. In his book, “Duty,” Bob Greene tells of a man who wrote Tibbets a letter explaining how, when he was in school, he wrote about the immoral act of bombing the city, condemning the act and those who made and carried out the decision. He then told how he showed his paper to his dad, who had fought in WWII. His dad told him how his next assignment in the service in August of 1945 was to be part of the invasion force on Japan. He shared with him that there was a high likelihood that he would have been killed along with thousands of others, both U.S. and Japanese soldiers. The man said it made him realize that if that decision about the bomb had not been made, there was the possibility that he wouldn’t even have been born, living the life he lived. History records that sources projected as many as 5-10 million soldiers and civilians (U.S. and Japanese) would die if the U.S. invasion took place.

Recently, 202.4 million people watched all or part of the Super Bowl. Most of those watching witnessed an incident showing Kansans City Chief player Travis Kelce going up to coach Andy Reid, yelling in his face, and even accidentally bumping him and knocking him off balance. The internet lit up with people calling Kelce names and blasting him for doing what he did. There was no sound, so people watching could not hear what was said or see and hear what happened afterwards. Later, Kelce admitted that what he did was unjustified, and he is sorry that he acted the way he did. Reid and Kelce have explained several things about why it all happened. Yet, the negative words continue across the web. It is a moment that the media will harp on for months to come.

Social media has made it easy to comment on any event without knowing all the facts. People react by giving their 2 cents worth of opinion without knowing all the reasoning behind their comments. People have quickly judged other people’s actions without bothering to check out why someone acted or made the decision they did. People are condemned and misinterpreted before they even get a chance to explain why they decided which direction to take or why they acted in a specific way.

James writes in several places about the danger of speaking too quickly. In chapter 1, verses 19 & 20, he writes, “But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.” In chapter 3, he writes of the dangers of a loose tongue. “For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it, we bless our Lord and Father, and with it, we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.”  James 3:7-10 (NASB)

Jesus, in His “Sermon on the Mount,” tells how we should be careful how we judge others. He told the crowd, “Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged, and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”  Matthew 7:1-5 (NASB)

As Christians, we should learn to know the truth before we speak out against someone for what they say or do. Jesus tells us that before we open our mouths to judge what someone else has done or said, we should step back and take a deep look at how we live, act, and speak. How would we feel if thousands saw everything we said or did to others? On the other hand, stop and remember that when we post something on social media, we, as Christians, are ambassadors for Christ. How we judge and speak of others can influence those we may never see.

One of my favorite Psalms is Psalm 15. David asks God, “Who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live in your holy mountain?” He answers himself with the words, “The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart; whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others.” 

We all have opinions on Enola Gay’s historical journey and a player yelling at his coach at the Super Bowl. Most of us probably formed opinions before knowing all the facts. God has given us the gift of speech and speaking our hearts. Solomon wrote, “The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy.”  Proverbs 12:18-20 (NIV2011) 

Next time you are tempted to make a quick comment or judgment, “Hold your tongue!” Then, when you have all the facts and want to speak, do so with the kindness, compassion, and sincerity that you see in Christ’s relationships with people.

Like Paul Tibbets, people may not remember our name, but they will remember what we say and how we act. 

Danny Minton is a former Elder and minister at Southern Hills Church of Christ