Today's Daily Lesson is from 2 Corinthians chapter 10 verse 8:
8Now, even if I boast a little too much of our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of it.
Godly authority is for building up and not for tearing down. Too much damage has been done by authority figures abusing their power with belittling and demeaning language and insulting attacks. The personhood of a child ridiculed or a subordinate overly chastised may never recover. The damage can be serious and permanent.
"Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me." We all know that's not true. Words can hurt -- and do.
Admonishment and correction are necessary and often helpful. But exhortation is given for building a person up, never for tearing them down. If you are in an abusive situation with a demeaning authority figure you need to know it's neither normal nor ok. If you can get out you should. If, on the other hand, you're the person in authority and you have abused that authority you need to repent and change your ways. Remember, you too will one day have to answer to an even higher authority.
"And the measure we give shall be the measure we get."
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