Dear Readers,
‘Bad Penny!’ What is that? This idiom originated in Germany in the 20th century, when it was easy to counterfeit the fifty-penny pieces in use at the time. The poor minting of the 50 penny coins in the 1920's led to numerous counterfeits.
The term ‘bad penny’ was applied to people who show a nice face to a person, but speak badly of that same person to others. They prefer to give the person the impression that everything is fine and dandy, but in reality, they speak badly of them behind their backs. In short, falsifiers prefer to talk ABOUT the other person rather than WITH the person. And when they do talk to them, they have that sweet smile on their face, as if everything was fine.
Being a Christian is different. Understanding the word of God brings different fruits. Practicing the gospel certainly doesn't look like this.
What does Jesus say about this?
‘Do not judge, or you too will be judged, because with whatever judgment you judge others, you will also be judged.’ (Matthew 7:1)
‘Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank of wood in your own eye?’ (Matthew 7:3)
‘Forgive each other, and your sins will be forgiven.‘ (Luke 6:37)
Enough with the sweet smiles and backbiting! It's time to look at ourselves. And to hear those affected. That would at least be intelligent. Being Christian, most of all.
Kind regards,
Wolfram Laube