The problems in our country today are growing in part, because we, each one of us, didn't speak out boldly on so many occasions that they cannot be counted.
How many times did someone share with us their wrong or rebellious notions and we stood by silently hoping we can just all be friendly?
We have placed friendliness above righteousness more times than we have elevated truth.
We now live in a culture that throws loved ones under the bus because they dared to challenge someone to evaluate their own decision or thinking process. After all didn't Christ tell us to "admonish, rebuke, correct" daily our brothers and sisters?
Hyper-sensitivity to correction or instruction has created monsters that use the "don't judge" mantra as an excuse to treat those who speak truth with covert contempt. Masterfully hiding their intent so that it can be easily denied later, nevertheless causing harm and disunity. When they don't like the message, no matter how it was delivered, they accuse the truth teller of a rude or mean delivery.
Keep in mind that most people interpret the delivery based on their own attitude. If they are angry inside they will accuse us of anger even though we may not have spoken in anger. They see what they want to see, it validates their own anger.
Why do I write about this? It is simple, if we are aware of tactics we are less likely to be caught off guard and react to it rather than responding with reason. Narcissists count on catching us off guard, if they can get us to overreact or retort without thinking, they can use our out of control response as justification for their own contempt.
The same people who have no conscience about the sin they commit will feel justified and conscienceless over their covertly shabby temperament that is directed at those whose aim is to obey God. Willing to be rejected for standing for truth, the truth teller must continue to speak boldly.
There are those who have stood against abortion and divorce and remarriage, who are maligned for their commitment to God's principles. These bold truth tellers are mocked, lied against and rejected because they love Christ more than they love their own lives. They also have more love for others than they do themselves. Rebellious hearts do not see love, they only see their own wounded ego.
Once a truth teller speaks out, it is then, that they see who their friends really are, the ones who say they will go and pray to see if we have spoken truth, are those who walk in love. Those who don't want the truth will fight, argue and reject us.
The haters who mock and demean truth tellers are no different from factions like Islam who behead people for not thinking the way they think. God said if we so much as hate our brother it is the same as committing murder.
Why do so many "Christians" become enraged when we bring the Word of God to a discussion? Perhaps it's because the Word of God is convicting, shinning the light of truth on a resistant rebellious heart is like pouring gasoline on a campfire.
Our culture has been training people for 40 years to love themselves more than anyone else, it has manifested itself in different forms, but causing the same result. Now, the culture as a whole, is hyper-sensitive to any suggestion that there is need for further prayer and evaluation. Anything less than total validation is not acceptable in this self indulged generation.
We have the bacteria of total self exaltation growing, with no cure except Christ. It is only through confessing of our sinfulness and trusting Christ that will change a heart so completely dedicated to self.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 "Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."
Matthew 22:37-39 "And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
2 Timothy 3:1-2 "But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,"
While the devil is busy turning hearts against the born again believer, God is strengthening us, making us more useful and preparing our reward in heaven for our desire to please Him. Might I encourage you......it is going to get worse! "That's the encouragement?" you might ask. Yes, we can be encouraged when we know it isn't about us that they are angry, but rather against God.
If we can see this life as a training camp for the building of spiritual muscles, it is much easier to remain calm and steadfast in the face of daily opposition. It may not seem like it is daily, but behind the scenes in the spiritual realm the devils are busy twisting minds to do his bidding. Thankfully, for believers, Christ lives in us and we have the strength and wisdom of Christ dwelling in us to be able to continue unscathed. Even through emotional ups and downs, we are able to ignore the feelings and carry on in the path God has laid out for us.
The battle seems long, but it is soon over and eternity will be worth it all. Hallelujah!!!
