Sunday, June 18, 2017

Lord, Forgive Me for Clapping Back


The Urban Dictionary defines clap back as “returning an insult as such as to retaliate in kind because it may be justified.” 

 I’ve done it. 

 You’ve done it. 

 Even Jesus clapped back on those fools and hypocrites in Matthew 23. 

 When you read the word fool in the Old Testament, consider how harsh of a slander it was to be labeled as such back then. For example, Proverbs 26:4-5 reads in the Contemporary English Version like this: 

Don’t make a fool of yourself by answering a fool. But if you do answer any fools, show them how foolish they are, so they won’t feel smart. 

 In other words, don’t feed the trolls. You and I know people [supervisors, in-laws, social media lurkers, etc.] who thrive on getting under your skin because apparently they have so little going on within their own lives that paying attention to yours in anathema to their existence.



 But, it’s so easy! Why should I ask for forgiveness for clapping back? 

 Simple: there are people watching us. As black people in Trumplandia [that space of conservative white America with some liberal pockets and the occasional black person such as Uncle Ruckus from the Boondocks proclaiming #AllLivesMatter or pretending to be colorblind], they expect us to act up so we eventually become permanent memes or WSHH stars – or worse – land a recurring role on the Real Housewives of Atlanta. Even beyond that moment of witticism, what does clapping back teach the babies? That responding to name-calling and bullying is a crime and they should take barbs lying down? Riiggghhhht. 
More Biblical examples of the clap back: In 1 Samuel 20:30, King Saul effectively calls his some Jonathan a SOB and a MF [In the context of stereotypical Christian speech, I am not going to spell out the acronyms for you already know what they are]. Over in the New Testament, Paul’s clap back skills are on display in Galatians 5:12 when he writes about his theological opponents who were pushing for his circumcision, writing “I wish the people who are bothering you would castrate themselves.” In other words, he hoped the knife would slip and take out their members. 

 Again, Paul was saved and delivered into this role. It didn’t mean he was meek and mild overnight; the man was still a certified G and he let everyone know it. 

 There will be a time when I don’t have any more cheeks to turn and the second I take a swing at you, I’m going to jail for assault or worse, manslaughter. I am forgiven, but I am also a work in progress. Don’t let the chambray shirt, bow tie, and clean suit fool you into thinking otherwise; I’m still a product of Friendship Road despite being away from the ‘hood for the better part of the last twenty years. I’m going to ask for forgiveness after I clap back – just in the meantime, understand that the words coming out of my mouth are timely and deserved. 

 As I realized toward the end of the last time I had to clap back on a certain thirsty politician, Matthew 10:14 explains what I should have done instead: upon departure, shake off the dust from your feet at them. 
Lord, forgive me for not controlling my tongue as I should and letting anger get the best of me. I know that in times of conflict and disagreement, my tongue can be the spark that sets off a forest fire that leaves ashes behind of the hell caused by one slip. Encourage me to speak more praises than curses and as we praise You, we were created to be more like You and less of ourselves. In Jesus’s name I pray, 

 Amen.
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