We do not have to fall into his trap, we can remain true to Christ while walking away.
Not telling the truth, calling things what they are is a form of manipulation. When we withhold information it leaves everyone with a question that could easily be answered. Of course we manage our truth, we don't throw our pearls before swine and we don't divulge personal information to a gossip, but we can be honest in normal human relationships to avoid misunderstandings. One of the hardest things I have endured in my life have been the know-it-alls, those who think they know everything about your life while judging completely unimportant matters.
We need to be able to be honest in a kind way without blame or judgment. Calling things what they really are is the only way for finding a solution.
If we have done this and a solution is impossible, then we are to leave that situation and sometimes even people in our lives to remain at peace with God.
Those who judge people over small matter, even blowing those small matters out of proportion without knowing all the details, are not friend material.
There is an old saying that has served me well over the years, that is "nip it in the bud", meaning take care of things quickly. When you want to say no to someone, do it now, don't allow them to believe you want to go along with them out of fear of their reaction, tell the truth immediately. This will help us discern if the relationship is going to enhance your walk with Christ or whether it will hinder the walk. The reaction of others to our "no", will tell us something about the relationship.
Telling the truth does not mean we manipulate people's feelings to express our own opinions about silly things such as "the style of their hair", or the color of the walls in their house. Just because we may not like the way they do their hair or their choice of colors does not mean those things are bad or worthy of comment.
Often people foist on us their opinions about our personality styles as well as likes and dislikes as though they are sin issues. Often superior people judge the smallest matters merely to diminish another person, these people need to be ignored and avoided.
In my opinion, it is best not to express our opinions about small matters that are not associated with character or sin. Everyone has a personality that is expressed in their day to day lives, they have a right to that, their way is no better or worse than someone else's way. We can all learn new ways but people don't generally learn from insulting comments, they learn because they want to, not because they have been intimidated into it.
Those who use mocking and intimidation to control the feelings of others are not worth our time or energy.
Proverbs 6:12-16
"A worthless person, a wicked man, goes about with crooked speech, winks with his eyes, signals with his feet, points with his finger, with perverted heart devises evil, continually sowing discord; therefore calamity will come upon him suddenly; in a moment he will be broken beyond healing."
We can pray for those who are predisposed to arrogance and manipulation while allowing God to deal with them His own way. We can trust Christ for our own responses and for their chastisement.
Proverbs 28:1-28
"The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion. When a land transgresses, it has many rulers, but with a man of understanding and knowledge, its stability will long continue. A poor man who oppresses the poor is a beating rain that leaves no food. Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law strive against them. Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it completely. ..."
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