But about that fallout—originally it referred to radioactive particles that might descend through the atmosphere after a nuclear explosion. We all understood that even if we survived the blast, we were not yet survivors. Fallout could kill too, just not as quickly, and there would be nothing easy about it.
I suppose this came to mind after I dirtied up four dust rags and two Swiffer dusters one morning during our recent renovations. Scraping off popcorn ceilings and taking up 20 year old tiles will raise a dust worse than any Okie ever saw in the thirties. When it was finally over, we changed air conditioner filters for about the fifth time and hired someone to come in and do a complete and thorough cleanup. This old, arthritic body just cannot handle it any longer.
These days, fallout has taken on a different meaning—secondary, lingering effects after an event. Anyone who has lived through an emotional trauma understands the concept. Children's misbehavior, depression, or even feelings of guilt after their parents' divorce. Nightmares after being victimized by a crime. For soldiers, PTSD. Many of these people need counseling or some other sort of help because the emotional pain and scarring run so deep.
But there are other kinds of fallout, some of which we cause out of carelessness. Words are usually the weapons in those cases. When two brothers raise a fuss in the Bible class, what do we think will be the effects on visitors from the community? I once knew of body of the Lord's people which was known in the community as people who couldn't even get along with each other, much less their neighbors. I wonder how many souls were lost in that area because of that? When someone thinks it is their God-given right to blast out the preacher on the front steps after a difficult but necessary sermon, I wonder how many weak brothers and sisters are so disgusted they leave—for good? When a young person overhears two women gossiping about another, I can only imagine how much respect they have lost or how that bad example will reap more just like them. In each of these cases, it's a slow spiritual death that often follows.
I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned (Matt 12:36-37).
We all need to be aware of the fallout we cause by our selfish and careless behavior. In 1 Cor 6, Paul admonished us to be willing to take wrong rather than do harm to the reputation of the body. And Jesus was even harder in his judgment. But whoso shall cause one of these little ones that believe on me to stumble, it is profitable for him that a great millstone should be hanged about his neck, and that he should be sunk in the depth of the sea (Matt 18:6).
When we set off a bomb, we are responsible for the fallout. That means we are responsible for the deaths that follow as well.
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear (Eph 4:29).
Dene Ward