Most of us like to wear the cloak of civility. Many of us like to appear to be whiter than snow. That is the public persona. Behind the mask, there are hidden qualities that we do not divulge for fear of being judged. At the same time, we do not even think twice about sullying the reputation of anyone just to prove a point.
Aligning with forces that speak the forked truth, seems an easier route. Since many of us, tend to be rather proud of our religiosity. Some even cry at forwards sent on social media. But, we do not think twice if someone is being wrongly accused.
Most often when people slander the reputation of another, they do so behind the screen. Some behind the back of the person and a good number even keep up the appearance of being friends with the individual(s) as they backbite.
Here are some questions that I pose asking you to think before you formulate an opinion. I speak in this context having been around a situation that has blown out of control in a choir group. Yes or no answers will suffice.
1. Are you slipping in your prayer life?
2. Do you believe that you follow the right path?
3. Have you always yearned to be acknowledged?
4. Does being a part of a prayer group make you feel good about yourself?
5. Are you always in a rush because you feel that you are made to be busy?
6. Do you feel that you are without sin?
7. Do you think that you and only you have the way forward in the methodology of bringing people together?
8. Do you have what it takes to understand the minds and hearts of everyone?
9. Do you sing for God?
10. Are you blinded by reasons beyond what you know deep down are incorrect?
11. Do you still want to join the road of discontent?
12. Do you choose to do what is right?
13. Do you ignore the negativity around you, even if you feel that people throw brickbats at you, anyway, anytime? Or would you prefer to be
on the other side?
14. Is it easier to side with hostile players rather than stand the path of the greater good?
15. Does herd mentality keep you going?
16. Do you read the Bible every day and digest what you read? Or do you interpret it to suit your needs?
17. Do you think you are right while the other person is wrong? Do you believe everyone who says so?
18. Do you have a mind of your own?
19. Do you want to be a peacemaker?
20. Are you here on earth to divide and conquer or are you here to be the glue that keeps good people together?
21. Do you believe everything that you read? Or do you think about it, analyze the content, and theorize the reason? Or have you formulated your own interpretation of the truth?
22. Do you gossip? Do you believe in gossip? Do you believe in slander?
23. Do you believe in right and wrong? Do you believe that there are shades of grey in between?
24. Are you a happy person?
25. Is something bringing you down?
26. Are you a jealous person?
27. Do you feel the need to be in the position of power?
28. Have you earned the post?
29. What makes you believe that you have the authority to speak about another person’s faults? Have you none of your own?
30. How do you define mudslinging?
31. How would you characterize someone with a spotless reputation? Do you believe that you should tear the person’s reputation to shreds
because the group says so?
32. Have you protested against someone in church? Was that the right call in a place of worship?
33. How would you feel if you were the person being torn to shreds?
34. How would you feel if no one stood by your side and fought for you?
35. How would you feel if people who said they were for you, turn around and choose negativity?
36. How would you feel if someone was to malign you, but you have no idea what you have done?
37. How would you feel if someone were to spread malicious information about you, without your knowledge?
38. How would you feel if you entertained people in your home, only to have them throw sticks and abuses at you?
39. Are you a God-fearing person?
40. Do you love the way God told us to love?
41. Do you believe in forgiveness?
42. Are you truly sorry for your sins?
43. Do you believe that only your method is correct?
44. Have you ever considered, maybe you are incorrect?
45. Finally, what makes you think that you are in the clear?
These are a few questions that we need to ask people who think they have an authority over us with their negativity. The people who shout themselves hoarse in the house of God just to make a point. The people who don black clothes to protest in church because they have not got their way. It seems that nothing will stop them, they want the top job. Their agenda - bring a good person down.
Also, one point to note never, and I mean never, become a part of the pack.
Aligning with forces that speak the forked truth, seems an easier route. Since many of us, tend to be rather proud of our religiosity. Some even cry at forwards sent on social media. But, we do not think twice if someone is being wrongly accused.
Most often when people slander the reputation of another, they do so behind the screen. Some behind the back of the person and a good number even keep up the appearance of being friends with the individual(s) as they backbite.
Here are some questions that I pose asking you to think before you formulate an opinion. I speak in this context having been around a situation that has blown out of control in a choir group. Yes or no answers will suffice.
1. Are you slipping in your prayer life?
2. Do you believe that you follow the right path?
3. Have you always yearned to be acknowledged?
4. Does being a part of a prayer group make you feel good about yourself?
5. Are you always in a rush because you feel that you are made to be busy?
6. Do you feel that you are without sin?
7. Do you think that you and only you have the way forward in the methodology of bringing people together?
8. Do you have what it takes to understand the minds and hearts of everyone?
9. Do you sing for God?
10. Are you blinded by reasons beyond what you know deep down are incorrect?
11. Do you still want to join the road of discontent?
12. Do you choose to do what is right?
13. Do you ignore the negativity around you, even if you feel that people throw brickbats at you, anyway, anytime? Or would you prefer to be
on the other side?
14. Is it easier to side with hostile players rather than stand the path of the greater good?
15. Does herd mentality keep you going?
16. Do you read the Bible every day and digest what you read? Or do you interpret it to suit your needs?
17. Do you think you are right while the other person is wrong? Do you believe everyone who says so?
18. Do you have a mind of your own?
19. Do you want to be a peacemaker?
20. Are you here on earth to divide and conquer or are you here to be the glue that keeps good people together?
21. Do you believe everything that you read? Or do you think about it, analyze the content, and theorize the reason? Or have you formulated your own interpretation of the truth?
22. Do you gossip? Do you believe in gossip? Do you believe in slander?
23. Do you believe in right and wrong? Do you believe that there are shades of grey in between?
24. Are you a happy person?
25. Is something bringing you down?
26. Are you a jealous person?
27. Do you feel the need to be in the position of power?
28. Have you earned the post?
29. What makes you believe that you have the authority to speak about another person’s faults? Have you none of your own?
30. How do you define mudslinging?
31. How would you characterize someone with a spotless reputation? Do you believe that you should tear the person’s reputation to shreds
because the group says so?
32. Have you protested against someone in church? Was that the right call in a place of worship?
33. How would you feel if you were the person being torn to shreds?
34. How would you feel if no one stood by your side and fought for you?
35. How would you feel if people who said they were for you, turn around and choose negativity?
36. How would you feel if someone was to malign you, but you have no idea what you have done?
37. How would you feel if someone were to spread malicious information about you, without your knowledge?
38. How would you feel if you entertained people in your home, only to have them throw sticks and abuses at you?
39. Are you a God-fearing person?
40. Do you love the way God told us to love?
41. Do you believe in forgiveness?
42. Are you truly sorry for your sins?
43. Do you believe that only your method is correct?
44. Have you ever considered, maybe you are incorrect?
45. Finally, what makes you think that you are in the clear?
These are a few questions that we need to ask people who think they have an authority over us with their negativity. The people who shout themselves hoarse in the house of God just to make a point. The people who don black clothes to protest in church because they have not got their way. It seems that nothing will stop them, they want the top job. Their agenda - bring a good person down.
Also, one point to note never, and I mean never, become a part of the pack.
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