Flipping Tables?

 “Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.”

(Philippians 4:5 ESV)

In the modern Christian Church in America, something of which we’re routinely reminded is that Jesus flipped tables. This, of course, is a reference to his cleaning of the temple. And it’s true that he, indeed, flipped tables.

This, however, is often used as an excuse for our demanding, angry, and unloving behavior. It’s used to excuse the fact that we often behave like complete jerks to the world around us. And this is not an appropriate way to use the example of Jesus.

Looking at the gospel accounts, he likely cleansed the temple on two occasions, one at the beginning of his ministry and the other at the end. But this is not something that characterized his life and ministry. 

While Jesus taught truth, he also loved those who surrounded him. He was kind toward sinners. And, typically, his anger was reserved for the religious authorities, who were misleading the people, denying them the grace of God.

While we must stand firm under the authority of God’s Word, and while we must not compromise truth, we are called to behave in a loving manner toward our neighbor. And we see the attitude that we’re to display in the verse above.

Paul says that we’re to let our reasonableness be known to everyone. The word translated “reasonable” also means gentle, kind, or tolerant. These character traits, then, are to be evident to everyone around us.

Rather than being argumentative and insulting to those who surround us, rather than demeaning them and behaving in a condescending manner, we’re to be loving toward them. And it is possible for us to be loving and faithful to God’s Word at the same time. The two are not mutually exclusive.

There are times when righteous anger may be appropriate. But it’s safe to say that those times will be few. What should be displayed on a regular basis is kindness, gentleness, and reasonableness.