If a chicken starts pecking at another chicken and draws blood, the pecker will literally go berserk. The bleeding chicken must be separated from the others, or the pecker will not stop until the bleeding one is dead. Others will join in on the pecking. It is a pathetic thing to watch in nature. It is true about other animals also.
Unfortunately, humans act no better than barnyard animals sometimes.
“Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?” (Proverbs 27:7)
Sins of the tongue like gossip, tale bearing, slander, contention and strife are blood-drawing activities. They usually do not stop on their own. Others join in on the frenzy until the victim is pecked to death emotionally or spiritually.
We have seen this feeding frenzy in the media towards politicians (usually conservative) and clergymen (usually conservative). Those who are more liberal seem to get a pass.
In marriage this is also sadly true. A marriage counselor with over twenty-five years of experience once said that in most divorces, the man had made just one negative comment toward his wife per day. After three years he had pecked his wife over one thousand times (3x365 = 1095). He was then “clueless” as to why she would leave him. She had to leave to stop the “bleeding.”
Sometimes we have to separate from “peckers” for a little while until the healing takes place.
“But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.” (I Corinthians 5:11)
Marriages should consider a separation for a time instead of a divorce.
“But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.” (I Corinthians 7:11)
After the healing, there should be reconciliation (to be made friends again).
Finally, do not join in the frenzy when you see someone bleeding. Help them. We are living in God’s Kingdom, not a chicken coop.
