Recently, I watched in horror and shame as the President and Vice President of the United States ambushed the President of Ukraine in the Oval Office with lies and insults.

Obviously, the President and Vice President do not follow the wisdom of James (the  brother of Jesus): “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” (James 1:19).

The constant boasting of the President and Vice President of the United States confirmed the truth of this wisdom of James: “[T]he tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts” (James 3:5).

Furthermore, the wisdom of James discerns why the President and Vice President of the United States fought and quarreled with the President of Ukraine.

Remember that the main purpose of the meeting in the Oval Office was to have Ukraine sign over the ownership of hundreds of millions of dollars worth of “rare earth minerals” located within the borders of Ukraine.

In stark contrast, the President of Ukraine is seeking help from the United States and other nations to defend the people of Ukraine from the unjustified invasion and violent war crimes ordered by the President of Russia.

And so, the President and Vice President of the United States brought shame and embarrassment upon themselves by browbeating the President of Ukraine with their shouts, angry gestures, lies, and insults.

Their behavior reminded me of a timeshare salesman who pressures you with high pressure sales tactics and who won’t let you leave the room until you’ve bought a timeshare. Some car salesmen pressure you in the same unfair ways!

The President and Vice President of the United States, and the President of Russia (all of whom seek political advantage by asserting that they are Christians) are acting like the people condemned by James the brother of Jesus:

What causes fights and quarrels . . .? Don’t they come from your desires . . .? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. (James 4:1-2) (emphasis added).

THINK

Have you ever been subjected to high pressure sale tactics? When? How?

Have you ever fought and quarreled? When? How? Why?

READ

My blog “Blessed Are the Peacemakers” provides an overview of my blogs about wise ways to end violence, curtail the use of force, and embrace the Spirits of Peace and Compassion. I explain why:

“the hardness of people’s hearts sometimes forces us wield force wisely to defend against the Spirit of Violence and the Spirit of Cruelty at the same time as we are embracing the Spirit of Peace and the Spirit of Compassion. Systems matter! In civilizations, we need to shape our laws and customs in wise ways that end violence, curtail the use of force, and embrace the Spirits of Peace and Compassion.”

For related thoughts, please read my blogs “June 1962”, and “Hope After Navalny: Saul Becomes Paul”.

LISTEN

Many of my blogs are available as Podcasts. To listen to them, please go to the Main Menu on timharner.com and click on “Podcasts”.