I don’t normally watch the Oscars, so I missed seeing the exchange between Chris Rock and Will Smith in real time. Here’s the way Jerry Brower, writing in an editorial published by World Magazine describes it:
First, host Chris Rock told a cruel joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s medical hair loss. Next, her husband, mega-celebrity Will Smith, strode up to the stage, slapped Rock, and then let loose with a string of obscenity-ridden rage-fueled invectives.
The Chris Rock / Will Smith exchange is a perfect illustration of Galatians 5.16 – 25.
Here’s the bad list, verses 19 – 21:
Now the works of the flesh are evident:
- sexual immorality,
- impurity,
- sensuality,
- idolatry,
- sorcery,
- enmity,
- strife,
- jealousy,
- fits of anger,
- rivalries,
- dissensions,
- divisions,
- envy,
- drunkenness,
- orgies, and things like these.
I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5.19 – 21, ESV, bulleted for clarity)
Will Smith is right in the middle of the bad list. And Chris Rock violated the good list:
But the fruit of the Spirit is
- love,
- joy,
- peace,
- patience,
- kindness,
- goodness,
- faithfulness,
- gentleness,
- self-control;
against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5.22, 23, ESV, bulleted for clarity)
Was Chris loving Will Smith’s wife when he made a joke at her expense? Was he practicing kindness and goodness? Of course, Will Smith could have used a little gentleness and self-control.
People can blow off the Bible and the way of life it advocates, but it’s funny that they know when that way of life is violated. It’s possible that more has been written and said this week about those 30 seconds or so of the Oscars than the whole rest of the awards ceremony.
In addition to the lesson from Galatians 5, Jerry Brower also rightly points out it’s a perfect illustration from the next book in our 5x5x5 reading plan: James.
So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. (James 3.5 – 8, ESV)
Jerry writes:
After the altercation at the Oscars, actor Denzel Washington counseled Smith, “At your highest moment, be careful—that’s when the devil comes for you.” That was a rare moment of wisdom in a world of iniquity, and it also aligns with James, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4.7) It’s as simple and as difficult as that. The only answer to a social contagion of toxic speech is a contagious outbreak of resistance to the devil. This starts with acknowledging the Biblical truth that words matter. Control of speech is not just etiquette, nor is it merely private. Like a forest fire, it takes on a life of its own.
Jesus spoke to the issue as well:
You have heard that it was said to those of old, “You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.” But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, “You fool!” will be liable to the hell of fire. (Matthew 5.21, 22, ESV)