Love the truth though it may do you harm; hate the lie though it may please you.
~Arabian Proverb
So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
~ James 4:17
Our world is so exceedingly rich in delusions that a truth is priceless.
~Carl Gustav Jung (1875-1961)
Oh beloved, we have all done it. Some of us are living in it. And we have all watched people trapped in its web.
Denial.
This living not in accordance with truth in some area of our lives can be devastating.
Truth is defined by the 1828 Webster’s Dictionary as “conformity to fact or reality; exact accordance with that which is, or has been or shall be.” And we hate that in this culture. But truth is the basis for a life truly lived.
This writer is watching someone crash their life with an addiction. In this case, it is an eating disorder. However, all addiction is basically the same – the question is about who is going to have control of their life (can we see it? It is all about who is on the throne of our existence). i surely am not the only one to witness this. And others watched me doing the same thing to myself in the past. But what to do?
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
~ Galatians 6:1-2
The New Testament makes it ABUNDANTLY clear that the only law for a Christian now is a law of Love and freedom and peace and joy in the power of the Holy Spirit. So, this law of Christ is not about helping someone stop or start a particular behavior. No, trying to work on an addiction at a fleshly level only brings death.
So, as we work to help someone break free, there must be a deep leaning into the Spirit for wisdom and protection. And rather than corralling the brother or sister, we should act as ushers to freedom.
However, the process of spiritual restoration may include more than just holding up a sign warning someone that they are about to go off the cliff. It may include (as led by Him) holding out an arm, or blocking a person’s path to their demise. There is absolutely no way that we should ever intend to change a person on the inside (only God can do that), but we may need to work in the practical to protect a person from themselves – if they are unable to think clearly. Surely, any actions like this must be bathed in prayer. We are not God. Not even close. But, if He leads us to be His physical presence in a situation, it behooves us to obey.
Being an usher to freedom, may even then include, a firm confrontation, a loving rebuke, or appealing to higher authorities for the use of coercion or force to bring about a proper resolution to an issue.
Would that we might all be willing to be used for the restoration of a brother or sister.
If you look for truth, you may find comfort in the end; if you look for comfort you will not get either comfort or truth only soft soap and wishful thinking to begin, and in the end, despair.
~C. S. Lewis
