So in all that checking I discovered that on November 16, 2015, I had someone “unlike” a page, which I suppose means they had liked it in the first place and then changed their minds. I think I must have hit a nerve. Can I just say this at the beginning? None of these posts is meant to make people angry. I appreciate being challenged as a Christian. I want to improve. I simply assume that if you are bothering to read these, you do too.
Why is it that people don’t realize what they are revealing about themselves when, as the old saying goes, “The hit dog howls?” If the preacher’s sermon is about gossip and I become angry and show it, isn’t it obvious that I bear some guilt over that subject?
And here’s a novel idea—if someone steps on your toes, how about moving them? A long time ago when I was young and extremely naïve, I actually thought that when you showed someone they were doing something wrong, they would quit doing it, especially brethren. Now I know better. Only a few will take that high road. Everyone else will find fault with you, tell others how mean you are, sometimes even spread lies about what you supposedly did to them. Yes, even Christians—I use the term loosely. Have I become your enemy then by telling you the truth? Paul asked the Galatians (4:16). Evidently the answer is yes to some, unfortunately to many.
And this is what they tell people about themselves: Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man and he will increase in learning, Prov 9:9. Becoming angry over correction means a person is neither wise nor righteous, which is what that November post was all about.
Which brings us full circle, and for all I know, will get me “unliked” again. I guess we’ll see.
Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness; let him rebuke me—it is oil for my head; let my head not refuse it…Ps 141:5.
Dene Ward