“It was not too many years ago that when a man misbehaved badly his neighbors and co-workers were able to discern it and exert pressure for reform. It did not always work, but it kept many of us better than we might have been. This sort of social pressure is far removed from the police state. It is, rather, the only alternative to a police state.”
Dr. Clyde Wilson
From Union to Empire — pg. 235-236
This quote hit me right between the eyes as I was reading it. You see recently one of my family members was privy to a highly placed community member hitting (I would almost say “beating”) his wife. The witnessing of it was quite accidental and completely unintentional. My family member came to me asking what do to. I was speechless. I didn’t have an answer. In Wilson’s terms I did discern it but I had and have no ability to exert pressure for reform. Having spoken to this person before about a different touchy matter, I’m confident that if I spoke to the person in question again I would be blown off just as I was on the previous matter.
I hurt for the wife. No woman should be subjected to that kind of abuse.
Perhaps it is only your responsibility to speak, but God’s responsibility for results? At the least, your words call down greater judgment, and perhaps the Holy Spirit will finally use them as means to repentance. Only God know men’s hearts.
need a posse?
Carmon,
As usual wise words.
But there is also a possibility that my words could make it more difficult on the wife as the husband takes out his anger over being busted upon her. I’ve seen that happen before. I don’t know the couple well enough to be able to say what dynamic would play out. Also there is another powerful dynamic going on here that might find my family in the cross hairs of being harmed if I spoke. Remember, I said that he is a highly placed influential community member. He is in a position to do harm to my family (or any family in the community) if he liked.
I don’t think it is a lack of courage on my part that keeps from speaking. I hope it is a matter of being wise.
Dave,
That might be the only thing that would work in this situation.
It’s time for a vigilance committee.
Sounds like a tough situation, Bret. Time for some powerful imprecatory prayer then!
Good luck on that, we had a similar situation without the highly influential part and it did not turn out well. I have not regretted the decision to speak with him however it would have been great to see his heart turn and watch him develop a better relationship with his wife and a God honoring walk.