Objection

"Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated?  But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.  For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adultries, fornications,  thefts, false witness, blasohemies.  These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.
Matthew 15: 17-20 NKJV

Common knowledge and courtesy tells us that to argue religion or politics is to get one in a bad situation.  For are there not sure to be hurt feelings in such situations?  Somewhere along the line, someone is going to be offended.  Someone will eventually take offense to something we say or do.  Here lies our issue within our  own personal relationships, especially with those who are in Christ who supposedly should know better.  Is it the fault of him who speaks the offense, or the perception of the one who hears the words?   For many people have surely been taken out of context by those who perceived a offense when none was meant.  It is certainly well known that the Jewish Pharisees continually took offense to Jesus.  His miracles and claims to be the Son of God certainly did not endear Him to these Jewish authorities.  Now, was Jesus a wicked man?  Yet, at times His very words offended many.  Was it Jesus' intent to offend others?  No, He simply proclaimed the truth.  However, as is usually the case, our Lord Jesus provides us a lesson through His teaching.  In Matthew 15, Jesus proclaims that it is indeed what comes out of the mouths of men that defiles them.  Although this may be true, is it always the case?   Are all of our words meant for evil?  Even the most wicked among us may have encouraging words at times.

Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh.  Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer.  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
2 Corinthians 5: 16-17 NKJV

In regards to the hurtful words of those around us, we realize that it is not of Christ that others offer words that hurt us.  No, for although our own hurtful words come from within, we recognize the Holy Spirit within us does not make a habit of hurting others.  In 2 Corinthians 5, the apostle Paul gives us  some pretty sound advice for such occasions.  As Paul tells it, we are to not regard anyone according to the flesh.  For as Jesus was once known in the flesh, we regard Him that way no longer.  What I take away from this passage is that it is our flesh within us which seeks its own desires.  It is also that flesh within us that will at times seek our own intersts over those of others.  Therefore, hurtful words may be produced by our flesh from time to time.  Of course, it is Pauls intention to not regard anyone according to their flesh, which seeks selfish desires and not Christ.  So, how are we then to regard those among us whose words often bring bad feelings?

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:12 NKJV

So, are we still looking for a scapegoat?  Someone to blame for the harsh words of others?  Obviously the blame must be placed somewhere, right?  Ok, well let us refer to the apostle Paul once again.  In Ephesians 6:12 Paul lays out just who our enemies truly are.  For this is not a battle with those around us, but with those in the spiritual realm.  We cannot see this conflict, but we are certainly aware of its presence and ferocity.  As Paul tells us, THIS is ultimately what we war against.  THIS is that cause of hurtful words and hurt feelings among us.  For if we no longer regard anyone according to the flesh, then we must regard those around us according to Christ.  Created in our Lords very image, we no longer resemble  that flesh which contains our spirit.

~Scott~