267 – Trust But Verify

#faithbites #faithjourney verify

A slight warning before we start today. This topic has a potential trigger warning as it talks about sexual allegations and truth. And now, onto faithbites.

“He said, she said”. “He was just a kid”. “How do we know what happened 30 years ago?”. “No man is safe if women can accuse men of sexual attack without evidence”. “She’s lying”. “She asked for it”. “He’s a good guy”. “It was just 20 minutes of fun”. These are all statements that have been made in the #metoo era. Today, I even say a #himtoo tag. I don’t get too angry that often but well-meaning people can be so off kilter sometimes. This attacking of people has to stop. We have to love God and love people.

If an allegation is made, it should be investigated and appropriate legal measured followed. If you have wronged someone, genuinely apologize, ask for forgiveness and accept the consequences. Meme’s like #himtoo is shaming women (and me) into not reporting what has happened to them. We have all made mistakes in our lives. I personally have wronged people and have been wrong. Some things I talk openly about, others I don’t. For instance, on one comment I was going to discuss something in my past and because of fear of retribution or even non-belief I didn’t. It is easy to see why someone 5, 10, 20, or more years later still has an issue reporting things.

In politics, we are not only elected capable people, but also role models. While someone may able to do the job, they may not have the highest of moral character. It is up to the people to vote yes or no on them. I apologize if this is rambling a bit, but this is one of those things that ticked me off.

No one should be afraid to report what has happened to them. They should feel safe, supported, and secure to tell their story. At the same time, the accused should have the ability to tell their story. Unless you were in the room, you don’t know what happened.

All that being said, we need to listen, learn, and support all people. Love God, Love People.

Scripture

• One witness is not enough to convict anyone accused of any crime or offense they may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. If a malicious witness takes the stand to accuse someone of a crime, the two people involved in the dispute must stand in the presence of the Lord before the priests and the judges who are in office at the time. The judges must make a thorough investigation, and if the witness proves to be a liar, giving false testimony against a fellow Israelite, then do to the false witness as that witness intended to do to the other party. – Deuteronomy 15:19
• A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape. – Proverbs 19:5
• Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. – Ephesians 4:25

Reflection

We have spoken at length about loving God and loving people. Now we are speaking about truth and bearing false witness.I am much more concerned about someone not speaking than bearing false witness. The truth will come out in the investigation and what happens. By silencing those who speak, we harm them spiritually and mentally. We need to allow everyone to speak their truth. Some are not truth and will fall over time and through a compassionate, honest investigation. Others will hold true for every.

We as a society must listen. If we weren’t there, then we did not witness. If we did not witness, we can’t judge.

Some may agree with this post, others may not. To me, we must trust and then verify. We trust in the Lord and trust that he will bring the Truth and the Light.

Charge

When you hear an accusation, what do you do? Maybe you believe, maybe you  dispute? Do you listen? Let us approach all allegations in the spirit of love and understanding. Let us know judge but allow the process to unfold.

Lord, help me to always be compassionate to others as they share their truth. Let me listen to them and not judge. Let me provide a safe haven for those who need a shoulder to rely on.