Propaganda Promotes Weakness

Redefining words is an important element of propaganda.

  

For example, words like toxic and unsafe once meant things that are physically dangerous or life-threatening. Now they're used to describe people who are annoying, non-affirming, or simply someone we don't like.

 
Abuse used to mean actual abuse. But psychologists added the word “verbal” and began using it to describe people who correct us, get angry with us, or fail to affirm everything we do. And cutting people off without any attempt at reconciliation is now called setting up healthy “boundaries.” 

 

Sadly, these terms are just as popular in “Christian” culture as they are in secular culture.

 
So what can we do? We must admit that exaggeration is a form of lying, and we must follow God's commands to forgive and reconcile, not psychology's commands to cut people off.

 

Exaggeration may help us justify bitterness and self-righteousness when explaining our problems to others, but God knows the truth. 

 

Worldly people take the easy way out of every relationship difficulty and conflict. Christ followers forgive, seek reconciliation, offer grace, and show respect. We are even called to be kind to mean people (Romans 12:21). Denying ourselves doesn't mean accepting abuse, but it means doing everything possible to maintain healthy relationships.

 

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Matthew 16:24

 
Let’s grow up and base our relationship practices on Scriptures like those below.

 

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Matthew 5:23-24: “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” 

See Bridges or Boundaries. 

 

1 Peter 4:8: “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”

 

Proverbs 18:1: “One who separates himself seeks his own desire; he quarrels against all sound wisdom.”

See Avoiding Difficult People Makes Us a Difficult Person.  

 

Ephesians 4:2: “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” 

 

Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

 

Colossians 3:12-14:  “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
 

 

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