Speak the Truth and Let the Holy Spirit do His Work

Proverbs 26:4-5 "4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be like him. 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he become wise in his own eyes."

Thinking that if we just yell louder or dominate others is going to make people listen is itself foolish. It is also pride, thinking that we must make sure others believe us or validate us in some way. The wise and strong man is the one who doesn't need others to like them or understand them.

 
When we grow to the point that Christ is enough, even if no one else validates or appreciates us, that is when we are truly free. What a blessing to be able to love others even if they don't love us, and the only way to do this is to be unconcerned about their lack of love for us.

 
Every day that I live, I grow stronger in love for others as I no longer have expectations of them. Notice that Christ loved people enough to die for them while they were still sinners.

 
When we love this fully, we will warn those who do not obey Christ. We will remain respectful even if they show us no respect, and we will remove ourselves from them when they make it clear they don't want us.

 
God gives us what we want, whether to be changed by Him or if we reject Him; He does not force Himself on us. He walks away and leaves the choice to the one who rejects Him.

Matthew 10:11-15 "11 And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart.

12 As you enter the house, greet it.
13 And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.
14 And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town.
15 Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town."

It is not unloving or uncaring to move on from those who reject Christ or reject us. Everyone who has heard the truth always has the opportunity to make a later decision without us.

 
Sometimes I wonder if it is pride that makes people want to be the ones to "lead someone to the Lord", when they ought to remove themselves so the Holy Spirit can get all the credit. We speak truth, and the rest is God's responsibility to work in their lives and ultimately their responsibility to respond to Him.

May we be so grounded in trusting Christ that we don't feel the need to badger or manipulate anyone into making a decision out of intimidation.