August 1

August 1

Words of Injustice

…we need leaders who are measured in their speech.


Proverbs 16
10 The lips of a king speak as an oracle, and his mouth should not betray justice.

The words of a king, as with any authority bear fearsome weight. In moments of madness many of them have been guilty of setting terrible injustices into motion. That is why we need leaders who are measured in their speech.
In 12th Century England King Henry II was responsible for the death of Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury. It was a bitter cold winter December evening when lackeys of the king entered the cathedral where Becket was preparing for services. In unison, they stabbed him and left him bleeding on the altar steps. It all happened because of a few words not “fitly spoken.” It all happened because Henry in a fit of rage was heard to exclaim, "What sluggards, what cowards have I brought up in my court, who care nothing for their allegiance to their lord. Who will rid me of this meddlesome priest?"

Words spoken in haste and anger can affect the fate of nations and of human lives. They can destroy.