Actions, Reactions and OverReactions

“Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.” (Philippians 4:5, CSB)

Isaac Newton’s third law of motion: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

In 1686, Isaac Newton presented his 3 laws of motion; the third one declares that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. While this may be true in the physical realm, where people are involved, one might say that for every action, there is likely to be an overreaction.

In my experience of teaching my sons and daughters how to drive a car, I recall that when they were first starting out, there was a definite tendency to “overcorrect” when they became aware that they were drifting out of their lane (when I say becoming aware, I mean when I yelled “watch where you are going!”) The beginning driver is likely to jerk the steering wheel in the opposite direction. With experience, they learn to gently adjust.

However, in many other areas of life, some never learn how to gently respond to the actions of others and in doing so, relationships are damaged, and walls of separation are built, resulting in estrangement and isolation.

The history of the church, if not the history of mankind, can be analyzed as a series of overreactions to overreactions. This is often the result of recognizing error, either in doctrine or practice, and then attempting to make a course correction. We can agree that the Reformation was a reaction to abuses and corruption in the church, but it could also be said that it was an overreaction that sacrificed valid truths and practices.

The impulse to overreact can stem from the desire to clearly differentiate our new position from that of our opponents. The intention is to remove ambiguity from the issue, but the result is that we move from the ditch on one side of the road to the ditch on the other side. There may be a preference to which ditch someone finds themselves in, but it is a ditch, nevertheless.

This is where we need to turn once again to the Scriptures to make real progress in fulfilling our purpose and commission before the world. It is not just about having the correct understanding or teaching, most importantly it is about having the correct attitude. When Paul exhorts us to “Let your graciousness be known to everyone,” it is not merely for the sake of pleasantries. It is the key to validating our message. It may or may not have an impact on the party with whom we are interacting, but it will make an impression upon those who are watching us.

The declaration of the gospel message is an action that inevitably will provoke a reaction. In the case of Stephen preaching before the Sanhedrin, the reaction was severe. “When they heard these things, they became furious and ground their teeth at him.” (Acts 7:54, NET). However, Stephen’s response to their anger was one of compassion and love. At that point, he did not escalate the hostilities and even forgave those who were killing him. The result of a gracious response is not always seen immediately, but eventually someone, if not the world, will take notice.

It has been said that one can “win the battle and yet lose the war.” In 1 Corinthians 13, we are reminded that even if we have spiritual gifts to go along with great knowledge and faith, but do not have love, we are nothing. How we react to the actions or even overreactions of others, is vitally important. “A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath.” (Proverbs 15:1, CSB)

To respond appropriately requires more than our natural dispositions can provide. We must have the power and enablement of the Holy Spirit. “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.” (Galatians 5:25–26, CSB)

We must remember that it matters truly little whether we are validated or not but being light in the midst of darkness and providing hope to the hopeless as ambassadors of Jesus Christ is all that matters. An ambassador is not in service to present his own opinions, but to declare the message of the one who sent them. Self-control through the enablement of the Holy Spirit is required.

When we are living by the spirit, our reactions to the actions of others will reflect the glory and the honor of the one who has called us and sent us. The Holy Spirit will give us the correct response, but it is our responsibility to deliver it with love and compassion.

Steve Ekeroth