"There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community." Proverbs 6:16-19
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Probably 20 years ago God convicted me to knock-off making broad, sweeping generalizations.
They tend to be negative, so I'd assumed all these years that He just didn't want me running around saying negative things about the people He created. And there is that.
But this week I believe He showed me another reason. I'm thinking it's because broad generalizations tend to be, well, lies.
Examples of common ones we often hear?
"Parents nowadays let their children run wild. Every time you go to a store, kids are running around, screaming."
So.......... all parents let their children run wild? Every store everywhere has screaming children inside, 24/7?
Or, "People nowadays are all selfish. They think only of themselves."
So.......... all people are selfish? No one does kind things for anybody besides themselves?
Or, "People who live in cities don't even know their neighbors anymore."
So.......... no one who lives in a city is acquainted with his neighbor? No one?
Hmm.
God takes a strong stance toward lying. Basically, He hates it.
So today, this is what I'm thinking: God works on changing me so to yank out "those little foxes that spoil the vine." He doesn't want me wandering around, cluelessly, doing the things He hates. You know, then asking the air, "Why don't I feel right anymore? Why can't I feel free like I used to?" (Well, duh.)
At times like those, it could be that I'm walking around telling lies(!) Making those untrue, broad, sweeping generalizations, grieving the Holy Spirit and feeling "off" inside because hey, I know better.
And when God gives more, He expects more.
And oh, I love this, neeed this:
"Stop being critical and you may be blessed with more creativity and quicker understanding." ... Catherine Marshall (as recalled by Joyce Meyer)
That, also, why I let God show me what's all wrong inside: so that I'll become free. More creative and way more compassionate.
So that I'll have something valuable to give a clueless, hurting world who needs a huge, loving God.
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"Then you will know the truth and the truth will make you free." ... John 8:32
"For unto whom much is given, of him shall be much required..." ... Luke 12:48
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Tracy shared her Valentines' decorating around her house and got me so inspired! I hunted around for some old Valentines and hope to put them in my window today.
More examples of lies, uh, broad generalizations:
No one plays good music on the radio anymore.
No one writes good music anymore.
There's never anything worth watching on tv nowadays.
They don't make good movies anymore.
Teen-agers today are all thugs.
No one delivers milk in glass bottles anymore.
Mega-churches are nothing more than Christian entertainment.
All tv evangelists are schiesters.
Prices today are too high on everything.
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Ack! I received a second kind comment early this morning, one from anonymous, but Blogger ate it! Or perhaps the person changed their mind and deleted it (even though it was nice). Either way, just wanted you to know I saw it and appreciated it. Thanks.
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Good point made, Debra...tis hard to make changes like this one, but such things are worth it in the long run.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth in NC
People do tend to over-generalize. I think they have been doing it for time immemorial! Usually, a focus on the negative, which is something that isn't good to do.
ReplyDelete