In modern discourse, it’s become customary to tell someone who’s gotten too caught up in a frivolous point of argument to “go touch some grass.” At face value, it’s a tongue-in-cheek implication that the subject of said command has spent too long in their basement or on their computer and has lost touch with the bigger picture of reality. I would argue, though, that we could all benefit from said advice.
Everyone has their pet passion: the one hill that they will die on in an argument. For some, like myself, that hill is more like a whole mountain range of arguments I will fight tooth and nail to win. But why? Why do we feel the need to stir up and sustain such contention amongst each other? Because our flesh is a passionate creature. Paul warns of this very thing.
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions.
– Romans 6:12
“But my motivations are just!” The things we tell ourselves to justify getting into it with someone. But are they always true? People like to point to Jesus flipping tables in the temple as the justification for their “righteous indignation.” Jesus was defending the House of God, though, not arguing over US fiscal policy or if Kirk or Picard was the better captain of the Enterprise. I’m not saying that there is not a place for just anger, but be wary of the mental gymnastics we can perform to justify getting spun up over something. Look at Peter: I’m sure he felt fully justified in his assertion that he would never allow his Lord to be put to death. Did Jesus pat him on the back and say “I like your gumption, Pete. Way to stand up for me?” On the contrary, Jesus delivered a scalding rebuke.
Get behind me Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.
– Matthew 16:23
If I could take some interpretative liberty here, it sounds like Jesus just told Peter to go touch some grass. So how do we avoid falling victim to the passions of our fleshes? Well, just like Jesus told Peter and like Paul told the church at Colossae.
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
– Colossians 3:2
In other words, fix your priorities!
The inspiration for this blog stems from a turbulent stage in my life. In the past year, I’ve lived in two states, traveled between three and am currently on a 32-hour train trip watching the country pass by my window. I don’t say these things because I want people to think I’m well-traveled. I say them because for me, God has used these experiences to force me to go outside and touch some grass. The changes in scenery, lifestyles, and communities have prevented me from getting too familiar with my worldly surroundings and have reinforced to me that everything about this life is fleeting and frivolous; everything except His Word, so let us not spend our time caught up in earthly matters, especially among the brethren.
I’m not suggesting you have to bounce around the country to fix your perspective. I just happen to be so stubborn that God had to physically uproot me to shake my grip free from the world. What I am saying is the next time you feel that passion bubbling up in you for whatever reason, take a step back and examine yourself. Is bringing emotion into the situation going to bring glory to God and/or edify the Church? If not, maybe go outside and touch some grass instead, literally, or metaphorically. But don’t take it from me:
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.
– Ephesians 4:29-31
May we continue to build each other up in love to His Glory.
Love in Christ,
Sean Collins