Oh, that you would bear with me in a little folly— and indeed you do bear with me. For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:1-2
The idiom in the title above is used to warn someone that their words are likely to lead to a fight. The application is as flexible as the cultural situations into which they may be infused. We all have verbal lines that no one should ever cross (though I do not in any way condone violence over words spoken, no matter how tempted we may be in those moments). That said, there is language I simply will not put up with. Though I am no longer inclined to throw hands with someone over words, there are things people could say that I will immediately confront in the best, most godly, yet straight-forward manner I can muster.
One of the most common areas in life where insulting language may be considered “fightin’ words” is when they are spoken against family relations. People simply do not, nor should they put up with people disparaging their mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, children, spouses, etc. If someone wanted to find out my limits, likely the quickest way to learn would be to insult my dear wife. It would be one thing to address some wrong she had done in the proper biblical manner, which would necessarily include calling out a wrong behavior. It is another thing entirely to impugn her character, mock her, etc. Them’s fightin’ words!
With this notion in mind, I would like to address a phenomenon I have seen over the last many years as it pertains to insults hurled at the bride of Christ, His church. It is one thing when such insults come from worldly people or denominational neighbors who may be offended by our stance on biblical matters. Sure, this is offensive, but it is also to be expected. What is exceedingly troubling to me, and I would argue it is to the Lord as well, is how often people who are a part of His church speak disparagingly about her.
There are websites out there where “members” of the Lord’s church make fun of the way we conduct ourselves in light of the New Covenant. They mock our practices regarding worship (especially acapella singing), morality, fellowship, etc., and they air all this out for the world to see, contrary to the Lord’s will (John 17:20-23). To be sure, we have plenty that we need to improve individually and collectively, but it is equally sure that we ought to have those conversations within the congregations where we worship and serve the Lord, not before outsiders (1 Corinthians 6:1-8). It is reckless, sinful, and self-destructive to mock Christ’s beloved bride.
In 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, though employing a different metaphor (the temple of the Lord), Paul plainly stated the terrifying reality for any who destroys the Lord’s church as God will destroy all who do so. James, by inspiration described the evil poison of misused tongues calling them “…a restless evil, full of deadly poison…” because “With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so” (James 3:8-10). Paul warned the Galatian churches not to “…bite and devour one another…” telling them to “…watch out that you are not consumed by one another” (Galatians 5:15).
Considering the reality that Christ chose to refer to the church as His bride on multiple occasions (2 Corinthians 11:1-2; Ephesians 5:22-33; Revelation 19), it is little wonder such strong warnings flow from His inspired penmen concerning those who would mock His beloved bride. My extreme displeasure with anyone who would disparage my wife flows from the love He demands I have for her, which is illustrated by His love for His bride. As much as I love my precious bride, He loves His all the more. So, before we speak any ill words towards Jesus’ bride, His church, let us remember, them’s fightin’ words, and we sure don’t want to pick a fight with Him!