There are those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers; those who are pure in their own eyes and yet are not cleansed of their filth; those whose eyes are ever so haughty, whose glances are so disdainful; those whose teeth are swords and whose jaws are set with knives to devour the poor from the earth, the needy from among mankind (Proverbs 30:11-14).

In today's global society, ideologies come into conflict.  Friction builds.  Tempers flare.  "The Enemy" is alternately bullied and demonized.  And we're all discouraged, disgusted, and/or disoriented in the process.  Mix and match:  Jews, Atheists, Gays, Muslims, Feminists, Whites, Middle-Easterners, Christians, Mexicans, Working Class... Just about everyone seems to find a way to make things ugly.

It's especially tragic when this happens among people of of the Book.

Yet the Book itself acknowledges that it happens.  And unequivocally condemns it.  There's no disguising this ugliness behind "good intentions" or a "radical commitment to the truth."  There is simply no excuse for all that crap with holier-than-thou, arrogant attitudes, disdainful disgust for anyone who believes differently than we do, mouths full of swords and knives and semi-automatic weapons.  No matter who's doing it -- for whatever reason -- it's ugly, and it's foolish.

Next time you find yourself in ideological conflict with someone else -- be it over politics, religion, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, or whatever -- check yourself against the description of the "bad guys" in Proverbs 30:11-14.  If you hold a mirror up to yourself and notice any similarity to these fools, then beware.  Nobody likes bad guys.  Nobody sympathizes with bad guys.  And bad guys never win -- even when they "win."

It's better to be "poor in spirit" than to be cocky (Matthew 5:3).  It's better to emphasize self-examination over blaming and shaming others (Matthew 7:1-5).  It's better to embrace wisdom than folly.  The trick is just doing it...