I read an interesting post this morning (and lost the url….) where the author talks about folks being nasty over smaller things, and not so much over the larger. I responded in the context of contracts, and about Christians holding their own. Ie, don’t roll over in such matters etc, and an aspect of righteous anger, and that often times there is underlying justification.

Yet, we also know that nastiness somewhat works to resolve issues… amazing how going viral on twitter can bring even the most rigid corp to their knees. It also doesn’t work at times, and thats where an unattached attorney can often resolve things. (of course the issue of Christian-Christian litigation is problematic… but most of the times, its amazing what legal letterhead can do )

The problem with nastiness is two fold. First, we have folks trying to justify being nasty way beyond the original wrong, and second, and I believe its the real big deal is the collateral damage that results. God will deal with the justification aspect in the end on both sides… which is why Christian lawyers can work wonders in the short term, although apart from that, such justification may also be an exercise in wiggling around sin and that is never cool.

The collateral damage I’m referring to is also three fold.

• The direct damage to the people we interact with, who often times have little to no authority to effect resolution. Being nasty is hurtful, unkind, and far from the fruit of the spirit, and its magnified with the folks its directed at being near powerless. (Gotta remember that myself should I ever interact with Alltel again)
• Nastiness multiplies, just as kindness can.
• Nastiness eats away from within.

I really like what Proverbs 21:6-8 has to say, and I think it can apply to a multitude of arenas in the world of business and contracts

6 Getting treasures by a lying tongue
Isthe fleeting fantasy of those who seek death.[b]
7 The violence of the wicked will destroy them,[c]
Because they refuse to do justice.
8 The way of a guilty man is perverse;[d]
But as for the pure, his work is right.

So going forward, what to do when disputes arise. James gives us good caution in chapter 3.

5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things.
See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

Matthew Henry comments on Proverbs 15:4 that much good can come as well.

A good tongue is healing to wounded consciences, by comforting them; to sin-sick souls, by convincing them; and it reconciles parties at variance.