When we are confident in Christ we have no need to convey a false elevated persona of self, we are not concerned about how others view us. We are, however, deeply concerned about obeying the will of Christ.
Narcissists are continually engaged in false personas worrying constantly about what others think of them. They cannot be effective for Christ as long as they spend more time on the opinions of others than they do on Christ.
Those who must appear special to others cannot be bold for Christ. They are insecure and beggarly in their walk. When the opinions of others control us we cannot think for ourselves, operate from the Holy Spirit or even stand against sin. Everything depends on the reaction of others toward us.
This is why so many people now say things like; "we should say things in a way that they will receive it."
This mantra has been going around for a long time since 1970's. It cannot be consistent with the Bible, God makes it clear that most people will not accept the gospel. God never mentions "how" we should say things only that we should say them in the power of the Holy Spirit. Our delivery is based on the need of the hearer and only Christ can know that.
Those who walk in the flesh often take their clues from psychology that is antithetical to Christ and His principles.
The apostles and Christ were crucified because the people hated their message, even though it would have saved the people from hell. Did the apostles not say their message in the right way? They were led by the Holy Spirit and yet the people hearing hatred them for their message from God.
Matthew 10:21-23 "…21Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rise against their parents and have them put to death. 22You will be hated by everyone on account of My name, but the one who perseveres to the end will be saved. 23When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next."
You will not find in Scripture one verse that says we should be careful how we say things so that people will receive it. If people would receive our message based on the delivery then most people would be saved, but the truth is that most people will not be saved. We are not responsible for the delivery, the Holy Spirit is and sometimes it is gentle and other times harsh.
Matthew 23:27-28
27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. 28 So you, too, outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness."
Jesus Christ was our ultimate example and His Holy Spirit lives in believers. We can trust Christ to speak what should be said and when. We have no need to wring our hands and worry about saying something "the right way" according to psychology.
John 6:26-27 "26 Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, it is not because you saw these signs that you are looking for Me, but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27 Do not work for food that perishes, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on Him God the Father has placed His seal of approval.”…"
I have used scripture many times to prove my point about things, even being chastised for not using my own opinion. One person said "can't you think for yourself?, after which I wrote the scripture admonishing us to "think with the mind of Christ."
If you cannot back up your assertions with legitimate scripture without taking it out of context then you are to be disregarded. So many "Christians" take a sentence or two out of context to make the point they want to make. This is lying against God's word. Every scripture must be conveyed within its context.
When I give scriptures here I expect those reading to go back and put them into context for the overall meaning. Then when the passage is in context with the chapter we must also put the chapter in context with the rest of the Bible. Nothing in one passage would contradict anything in the rest of the Bible.
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