Disapproving Grunts are a Clue about Character

Don't you just love those "disapproving grunts" when a narcissist knows they can't get away with openly fighting with you they want you to know that they dislike you but can't say it outright?

We are seeing more of this among "Christians" who want to appear superior but feel restrained by their false persona of calm-unreactive demeanor.

"Disapproving grunts" without words are the "plausible deniability" used by covert narcissists. Instead of being honest, they manipulate through silence and grunting sounds.

Open and honest believers will speak the truth in a loving way even if they disagree. They will want to respond to you because they know non-responsiveness is rude, controlling, and dismissive.

To ignore a person or roll the eyes is a form of contempt as well as grunting sounds. They are all a form of disrespect, just because someone cannot prove they did it does not mean they didn't do it. God sees everything, the born-again believer is more concerned about how God thinks about the way they treat people we do not find them using these emotionally manipulative tactics.

People who love others do not do things to make them feel "less than" or "unimportant."

1 Corinthians 13:4-6 "…4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs. 6 Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth.…"

When we see the fruit of the Spirit we will see the traits of a loving and kind person.

Galatians 5:22-23

"22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things, there is no law."

Those who love Christ will be convicted and confess their sin of rudeness if they have acted badly. They will hate that they may have harmed someone. The Holy Spirit tells us when we have acted badly, if there is no conscience over sinful behavior then there is no salvation. When we have been changed by Christ we no longer act in ways continually that displease the Holy Spirit in us.

Ephesians 4:29-31 "…29 Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice.…"

Hallelujah!!! We can walk with Christ and be the kind of person we should be if only we submit to Him.

Fruit of the Spirit a Package Deal

Those who love to hold our past forgiven sins against us just hate that we are so joyful and free, ignore them. 

When we have been changed by Christ with the Holy Spirit living in us we have no need for the validation of anyone else, Christ is enough and He died for us. 

Those who love us and that we became a new creation are our brothers and sisters, our true family full of love.

1 John 3:13-15
13 Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed out of death into life because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. 15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

Those who love us love Christ in Us! Those who love us will obey God's commandments as a lifestyle.

Matthew 7:15-20
You, Will, Know Them by Their Fruit
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them."

John 14:15 "If you love  me you will keep My commandments." 

Pretty simple isn't it, those who love Christ will live a lifestyle of honoring Him. They will love His word, His ways, and His working in their life. 

The fruit of the Spirit are character qualities of Christ, they are not works even though the fruit will produce works. 

Galatians 5:22-23
"22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

All born-again believers have all this fruit all the time. 

If someone lacks self-control on a regular basis then they also lack love, kindness and all the rest of the traits. This fruit is a package deal, one cannot be out of control in one and still have the others.