We are not on this earth to make everyone comfortable, if we are doing that then we are compromising because Christ said the gospel would offend.
Ezekiel 3:19 ""Yet if you have warned the wicked and he does not turn from his wickedness or from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered yourself."
1 Peter 3:13-17
"13 Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good?
14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled,
15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;
16 and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.
17 For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong."
I appreciate people who think for themselves, who do not allow the mouths of fools to intimidate them into joining them in their foolishness. There is much freedom in doing what is right in spite of the rejection. I would rather be free in truth alone, than in bondage to everyone else who is headed down the wide road to destruction just to keep in lockstep with the culture.
I have heard it said by Christian men that they don't mind the bikinis worn by women on the beach because we expect it there, but they should not wear them into the stores.
How completely foolish is this!!!!
If something we wear should not be worn one place then it shouldn't be worn any place. Does our morality end at the sea shore?
Perhaps the men who say such things love to look at the women on the beach!
One of the characteristics of a narcissist, is their ability to take petty simple and very small matters and blow them into monsters for no other purpose than to upset and control their targets. We don't see them getting down on the floor kicking their legs and flailing their arms but that is exactly what they are doing on the inside.
When we say no to a narc because we do not want to do something they want us to do, they will use manipulative language such as, "I know someone else who likes to do it."
LOL, why would knowing someone else who likes what I don't like, make me feel small or guilty? The only reason I would be easily manipulated by a narc to do what he wants, even though I don't really want to do it, is if I am worried about what the narc thinks of me, when the narc has no concern about me at all, they merely want their way.
Proverbs 29:25 "The fear of man brings a snare, But he who trusts in the LORD will be exalted."
One of the favorite tactics of a narcissist is to attempt to make us feel guilty for not doing their bidding. God never called us to give everyone their desires, nor did He call us to provide all the needs of every human being.
We are called to pray, hear God and obey what He tells us and when to do it. When a narcissists places undo pressure on us to participate in their functions, but God has not called us to do it, then we can kindly retort, "God never told me to do that." This response ends all discussion and guilt tripping. Anyone who is attempting to pressure us will stop when we tell them to "go fight with God about it."
When our desire is to please God above all else, it won't matter to us who likes or dislikes us for our decision.
I no longer say yes to people simply because they ask for something. God speaks to me often, He compels me to do some things and compels me not to do other things. How much and how often is not a measure of obedience either, each matter must be given over to God. Often I don't even have to pray about something, I just know immediately that God is not "compelling" me to participate.
2 Corinthians 5:14-15 "14 For the love of Christ controls (compels) us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; 15 and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf."
On one occasion in recent years I went with my emotions saying yes to something without thinking. All the next day I was in continual distress over it. I wasn't analyzing it at all, but the Holy Spirit made me so uncomfortable that I had to go back and tell the people involved that I was not having any peace about the event and had to decline after all. Once I obeyed God and declined, the peace flooded back into my soul. All turmoil left me and the joy returned.
We are not called to be available to the whims of others. We are called to be so in tune with the voice of the Holy Spirit that we KNOW when He is speaking to us. I hear Him all the time now more than ever. The more we seek and obey Him, the more we hear Him.
Many people are too busy worrying about man made rules that they can't hear the Holy Spirit, they are content to be controlled by men rather than the Holy Spirit.
Is anyone else tired of all the superficial, petty talk and attitudes of the modern Christian?
So many people are focused on ball games, birthday parties, retirement parties, celebrations for personal accomplishments and many other useless gatherings, but these same people will not pray with a friend over important matters. They have no interest in Spiritual matters.
When our focus is this life is grabbing for every ounce of gratification we can, there is no room for quiet meditation on God's Word or prayer. There is also no contentment with the simple life, everything has to be grandiose.
I find myself enjoying the simple things, a cat at play with the dog, a beautiful butterfly flitting about in the garden and an entire day with quiet contentment thrills me. I like to work to accomplish things but the best times have been those in which I research a Biblical principle or received an answer to prayer that showed me a truth I hadn't known.
Our culture is drowning in superficiality in their useless activities. The quest to "feel excited" all the time has left them discontented and disconnected with the simple things. I believe this is the reason electronics have become so popular, they afford us the constant pleasure of self indulgence.
Even though many on facebook are doing good things, speaking truth from God's word while sharing blessings from God, most are using it in ways that dishonor God. Our time on facebook reflects the condition of our hearts. Do we yearn to speak about the Lord while developing meaningful relationships based on Christ?
We can expect non-believers to be living and speaking foolishly, but believers should be different. Their entire being should be consumed with Christ most of the time. May the Lord speak into the hearts of the believer to glorify Him in all things.
Colossians 3:17 "Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father."
