Showing One's True Colors

The most impersonal thing someone can do to you is to “make it personal” through attack. Why? To attack someone reveals a weakness in the attacker, not the one being attacked. Never thought about it that way before? Let me explain.He who walks in integrity walks securely,
But he who perverts his ways will be found out.Focus your attention on the first part of Holy Scripture above. Stated differently, we might say that a secure person walks in integrity. Conversely, a person lacking integrity is insecure. To attack another person, for any reason, is a lack of integrity, inconsistent with the will of Jesus Christ, Himself, Who, while never afraid of calling a spade a spade, never attacked others from an area of weakness or insecurity. Now, look at the second part of the verse above. Eventually, a person who lacks integrity is discovered for what they truly are, namely, evil.When people show you who they are, believe them the first time.Allow me to reiterate my opening statement:  The most impersonal thing someone can do to you is to “make it personal” through attack. It’s one thing to point out something you might disagree with, in a spirit of integrity, for the edification of the receiver. That’s a very good thing because the heart of the approach is love. It’s another thing altogether to seek advantage over others in the process.Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ [aka love].What the Bible says is that even if someone has actually sinned, our job is not to take advantage of the situation and wield that sin like a club. Only a weak person will take that route. You see, the weak attack when they perceive others as caught in a moment of weakness. It’s cowardice.Evil people are among the most opportunistic of all. They see weaknesses in others as a chance to step on them while they are down, while simultaneously elevating themselves. What they don’t realize is that folks like you and I, who are trained and filled with the Spirit, see right through them. Though we are tempted to do so, we don’t reciprocate. In fact, the most mature will do as Jesus said, “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).A person who attacks you, making it “personal”, as we say, is really just showing their true colors. They are proving themselves self-absorbed, lacking integrity, and weak. With the right perspective, it’s easy to discern that these people need our prayers more than anything.As a pastor, I’ve been attacked many times, usually daily, and often from those closest to me. There was a time when I was more apt to take things the way my attackers wanted me to, that is, personally. When I allowed this to happen, not only did I stumble, I also missed my opportunity to pray for them. I’ve become significantly better at discerning such situations - thanks be to God for increased faith and wisdom - but I’m not perfect. Let’s face it; it’s not always easy to back down from someone with the audacity to assault us. Our flesh’s first response to aggression is often to meet it with it’s own version, with every intent of squashing it. That’s not the route Jesus commanded we take - it’s the one Satan’s hoping we will, though.The beautiful thing about godly wisdom is that it lets us see past the fangs of our enemies. It reveals to us what they already know about themselves, that they are indeed weak. It tells us that their attacks are launched from a root of insecurity. It reminds us that we are not the issue, even though we have been targeted. The truth is that said attacks are merely symptoms of something much deeper inside the aggressor.What we must learn to do, if we’re going to abide in Jesus’ command to love our enemies, is to recognize that weakness breeds insecurity, insecurity breeds misery, and misery loves company. And we must heed the following command.Never pay back evil for evil to anyone.

Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord. “BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD.” 

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.Love in Christ,Ed Collins