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Writing in his book “Angel With a Slingshot,” the late Harry Peelor, noted minister and author, says that we have three levels of conversation. The highest level is when we talk about ideas.  The second level is when we talk about things.  And the lowest level of conversation is when we talk about people (page 58).

Is there any doubt that the conversation in our American society today is about people-talking about and blasting people.  Thoughtless poisonous rhetoric occurs in our political chambers, fills the airways, dominates social media, infects talk shows and focuses cameras on rebellious demonstrations that spew hatred and the negative.  Respect for others with a different point of view seems to be a forgotten virtue, upon which civilized societies exist.

So God gave us the ninth commandment, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor”(Exodus 20:16) with two grave concerns-relationships and integrity.  Conversation at the lowest level of blasting others ignores or destroys both.

All the short and specific commandments which we know best are concerned ultimately with persons.  In each instance, an act is seen as evil, not in abstraction, but in its effect on human beings. You remember, human beings are precious in God’s sight because they are created in the image of God.  Killing is evil, because it is people who suffer and die.  Adultery is evil, because it is a person to whom a man or woman is disloyal in breaking the marriage vow.  Theft is evil, because private property represents blood, sweat and sometimes even tears of other human beings.  In much the same way, “bearing false witness,” lying, slandering and blasting others, is evil because it harms one’s neighbor.

Notice  what God calls the person we may be prone to lie about, the person with whom we disagree or blast.  God doesn’t call him/her an adversary or an enemy or even an opponent.  God calls our adversary neighbor.  “Do not bear false witness against your neighbor.”  What does all that suggest? Relationships!

Therefore, we should remind ourselves of the old saying, “There is so much good in the worst of us, and so much bad in the best of us, that it ill behooves any of us to talk about the rest of us.”

God’s second grave concern in our low-level conversation is our integrity!  What is integrity anyway!  Integrity means wholeness, soundness, honesty, consistency and character.

God’s relations with Israel was based on God’s faithfulness, reliability and trustworthiness.  And God desires that we also reflect His same characteristics in our dealings with Him and each other in all aspects of our lives-legal, political, financial, family and personal.

The late Albert Edward Day, well known minister and author, once said that he had experienced three births. The first was when his mother looked at his face and said,”My child.”  The next came when he gave his heart to God and heard the Father say, “My son.”  The third birth was when he could look into the face of any other human being and say, “My brother.” My sister.”  Come on America, we can do better with our conversation-and be respectful whether we agree with others or not!