Yo Momma!
There has been countless harsh reactions, everything from tongue-lashings to homicide, brought about by insulting another person’s mother. Regardless of what the facts may be regarding the charge it is seldom received lightly by the son or daughter of the accused mother. It is obvious that such situations escalate to higher plateaus of acrimony simply because the charges are taken as personal assaults and therefore must be defended lest it be perceived as assent and joint-accusers to the charges. “Yo momma!” is still fighting words!
One of the aspects and characteristics of being a firm believer in some doctrine or issue is that that believer and proponent will always feel the necessity of defense when that particular doctrine or issue is challenged. We simply cannot be firm in our belief if we do not become defensive when we are rebutted about our belief. As they say, “Somethings are worth fighting for!” True indeed! A passive response leaves us in jeopardy of being seen as assenting to the rebuttal and even joint-negators of the spoken against belief.
Paul’s in Phil. 1:17 stated to this effect, “. . . knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel.” This stance we see witnessed many times throughout the Acts of the Apostles. To defend the truth is the honorable thing to do; as we ought to “earnestly contend for the faith once for all delivered unto the saints.” It is one of the Pauline characteristics to defend the gospel against all comers. Yet, it was also Paul who stated in Second Corinthians Chapter 13 and verse eight which says; “For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.”
It is apparent that Paul knew and practiced that there is a place in our defense of truth where he realized that not every rebuttal or disbelieve will be converted and bow to the truth—no, there are those that will continue to press on without assuaging their assault on the truth. What to do then? Paul makes it clear that even though not every mouth can be stopped there is a remaining principle that declares that regardless of naysayers and error-filled debaters that the truth itself cannot be damaged nor defeated. The fact that 2 plus 2 equals 4 cannot be defeated by false arithmetic professors it remains a fact even though continually challenged. This is what Paul knew and that even though the barrage of antagonism continued it could not harm the truth itself. Knowing when to walk away is just as important as knowing when to stand-and-defend.
Argument for argument’s sake is not a Biblical precept. Once defended the Truth needs no champion who goes postal brought about by feeling a personal insult—because the Truth is NOT about you—it is about the Truth and the Truth is always the ultimate Victor! Once we remember that Jesus is the Truth and if there is to be a personal insult taken by the assault on Truth it is His to take. Once we and our personal feelings become the “argument” then the argument is fruitless. Why? Because “For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.”
“Yo momma…” may be fighting words because of the implied personal insult but “Your belief…” should be about the Truth and not a personal affront. We ought to remind ourselves that Jesus Christ is always able to take care of Himself when it comes to unbelievers and naysayers … He only asks us to be set for the defense of the gospel and having defended it —the rest of the situation is in His hands.
— jlg —