Chapter 4: Signs of Holiness in Today’s World
Christians too can be caught up in networks of verbal violence through the internet and the various forms of digital communication… limits can be over-stepped, defamation and slander can become commonplace and all ethical standards and respect for the common name of others can be abandoned.
Inner strength, as the work of grace, prevents us from becoming carried away by the violence that is so much a part of life today, because grace defuses vanity and makes possible meekness of heart. The saints do not waste energy complaining about the failings of others; they can hold their tongue before the faults of their brothers and sisters, and avoid the verbal violence that demeans and mistreats others. Saints hesitate to treat others harshly; they consider others better than themselves.
It is not good when we look down on others like heartless judges, lording it over them and always trying to teach them lessons. That is itself a subtle form of violence.