Most of us who have been around awhile have witnessed a hatchet job. For those who may not understand this term, let us define what a hatchet job is. One definition I found said it is, “A false accusation of an offense or a malicious misrepresentation of someone’s words or actions.” A further definition is, “A piece of criticism that destroys someone’s reputation is a hatchet job.” It has been my observation that the one or the group that spreads the hatchet job will slyly leave off any truthful part, thus adding more color to the malicious falsehood. The hatchet man or group is by nature great at being con artists. Some bosses or supervisors have been known to use a hatchet man to do the dirty work. As an example, the hatchet man will get rid of a good worker in order to make room for one who is in the clique. Honesty and integrity are not part of the moral makeup of such a type of people or organization. It is better for all of us if we practice the “Golden Rule.” “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them; for this is the law and the prophets” (Matthew 7:12 KJV).
A component of a hatchet job is propaganda. The party line and half-truths have been used for a long time in order to bury truth and righteousness. For Christians, the Word of God, the Bible, is the stability we need to get through this old life. The safe and solid path in our life is “to continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32 KJV). Ugly dealing people have always stood in the way of truth and rightness. History abounds with horrid scoundrels. They think they have chosen the winning way, and they have their day while they live. Time for all runs out, and we must give an account. “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 KJV).
To boil it down, the hatchet man is a mean, deceitful liar, and the hatchet job is the overall result of the malicious misrepresentation. “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another” (Ephesians 4:22-25 KJV). “A liar begins with making a falsehood appear like truth, and ends with making truth itself appear like falsehood” (William Shenstone).
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Mathew 7:21-23 KJV).
As I conclude this brief essay, I wonder how many who are reading this will remember with sadness a hatchet job performed on them. I am afraid that the hatchet job is far more common than we may realize. How many good folks have had their reputation ruined or blemished?
