T
Now from my own observation of people, there are those that behave and speak relatively the same regardless of the forum. However, there are many who hide parts of themselves. In this second category there seems to be a separation still. The ones who hide things because of where they are, and those who hide things because of trust or comfort.
I myself rarely reveal much of myself to acquaintances because I just don't know them. This may not always be okay I must admit, as there will be those that will be forced to trust me just because of a position I may hold, and that would be better served with more transparency. On a regular basis though, people will be introduced to different levels of my personality.
Now, the one that irks me (even though I've done it before), are those that mold what they say and how they behave according to whether they're around Christians or their friends, etc. A specific example would be foul language. "I don't like to use these words around other Christians because they don't like it." ..................... Okay, let's think for a second here, why don't they like it? Could it be perhaps.... Scripture? "You shouldn't judge people Tandem." You're right I shouldn't as it isn't my job to pass judgment. It is love that should drive me to curtly remind them in this instance. Referring people to what is right and wrong in God's eyes (when they need it) is not always judgment as so many have contrived it to be. If someone I love is standing in the middle of a busy street, should I not at least tell them, "Get out of the road dimwit!"? Or better yet, go into the danger myself and take their hand, leading them to safety? When someone looks lost, does giving them directions, or just passing them by exemplify love more? At the same time, there is a difference between our imagined standards, and those of God. So all of those legalistic folk thinking I'm on "their side", I am not. I am on God's side. An allegiance I betray all too often, and have to rely on his boundless grace.
Back to specifically addressing the character switchers. It does us no good to only be accountable when there are those who would hold us to such around. We hurt ourselves when we only consider our relationship with Christ situational. It's easy to fall into as well. That's one of the worst parts about it, it can be hard to see in ourselves, even to the point of arguing it away. Having difficulty with a problem and trying to fight it, is very different from not recognizing something as a problem and living in a dream world. Which brings into question the judgmental or not thing again. When someone is fighting something, does it do them any good to point out that they should fight it? Sort of the vice versa of my busy street example. Don't just say "Hey, there's something you need to fight there". We should be in the trenches with them, doing what we can. Even if it's as menial as playing squire.
I have a lot of shoulds in here. By no means do I want people to do things because of my say so. This is simply a concept, one that must be gleaned from the word and the Holy spirit, not me. Neither is it a rant. So responses, and different takes on the contents of the introduction are encouraged.
I myself rarely reveal much of myself to acquaintances because I just don't know them. This may not always be okay I must admit, as there will be those that will be forced to trust me just because of a position I may hold, and that would be better served with more transparency. On a regular basis though, people will be introduced to different levels of my personality.
Now, the one that irks me (even though I've done it before), are those that mold what they say and how they behave according to whether they're around Christians or their friends, etc. A specific example would be foul language. "I don't like to use these words around other Christians because they don't like it." ..................... Okay, let's think for a second here, why don't they like it? Could it be perhaps.... Scripture? "You shouldn't judge people Tandem." You're right I shouldn't as it isn't my job to pass judgment. It is love that should drive me to curtly remind them in this instance. Referring people to what is right and wrong in God's eyes (when they need it) is not always judgment as so many have contrived it to be. If someone I love is standing in the middle of a busy street, should I not at least tell them, "Get out of the road dimwit!"? Or better yet, go into the danger myself and take their hand, leading them to safety? When someone looks lost, does giving them directions, or just passing them by exemplify love more? At the same time, there is a difference between our imagined standards, and those of God. So all of those legalistic folk thinking I'm on "their side", I am not. I am on God's side. An allegiance I betray all too often, and have to rely on his boundless grace.
Back to specifically addressing the character switchers. It does us no good to only be accountable when there are those who would hold us to such around. We hurt ourselves when we only consider our relationship with Christ situational. It's easy to fall into as well. That's one of the worst parts about it, it can be hard to see in ourselves, even to the point of arguing it away. Having difficulty with a problem and trying to fight it, is very different from not recognizing something as a problem and living in a dream world. Which brings into question the judgmental or not thing again. When someone is fighting something, does it do them any good to point out that they should fight it? Sort of the vice versa of my busy street example. Don't just say "Hey, there's something you need to fight there". We should be in the trenches with them, doing what we can. Even if it's as menial as playing squire.
I have a lot of shoulds in here. By no means do I want people to do things because of my say so. This is simply a concept, one that must be gleaned from the word and the Holy spirit, not me. Neither is it a rant. So responses, and different takes on the contents of the introduction are encouraged.