Identifying with Our Beliefs and Values

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     Ever hear the comments regarding avoiding the topic of religion and politics?  Now why are we so easily fired up by those two interesting and informative topics, and those of similar nature for that matter?   

     I don’t pretend to know what gets everyone’s engine going.  Additionally, I am not here to tell anyone to partake of the knowledge of good and evil or advocate being led by it (we know where that road leads).  Do understand that.  The Holy Spirit illuminates and is our Leader.  

     What I AM hoping to do is help us understand THE DYNAMICS of what MAYBE going on with us and others.  This understanding can be used by the Holy Spirit to AID us in our journeys as we find ourselves in traffic with others.  I also hope to provide some considerations and suggestions for your prayerful consideration. 

     With that noted, back to the topic on hand.  

     When a topic or conversation gravitates towards beliefs and values it takes on personal identity.  We are joined as if in marriage (two-as-one) to our beliefs and values for these are things we have bought into at heart.  In conversation, if someone comes against our beliefs and values, it can feel as if they are personally coming against us.  It can hurt and wound us emotionally.  

     These things can happen even if we are in tune with the Lord who leads us by his love.  It can be like going to the doctor's to get a shot.  It generally isn't pleasant and it can hurt, but he's got to do what he's got to do.  Yet I'm not talking about that.  I'm talking about the other times when we are not relying on the Lord and our words are more based in knowledge than God's love. 

     For example, let us say we have a friend that has adopted a religion not rooted in Jesus.  As a believer in Jesus I don’t look to advocate what is not found in Him.  At the same time I realize that if my friend is a devout follower, he will personally relate to his religion.  For me to come from a place devoid of the fruits of the Spirit and speak negatively about his beliefs and values will most likely result in his heart automatically erecting a brick wall that works as a barrier in reaching him.  It can be like coming against him personally by coming against what he personally identifies with. 

     Now if instead I spoke about how wonderful my Jesus was and even shared our journey together, this can provide him with some valuable information the Lord can use to draw to Himself.  

     May we also remember that our hearts' attitudes and actions speak louder than words.  If we are to be extensions of Jesus to the world, we need to be in relationship with Him and partaking of his life for ourselves.  Just know we don’t have to be perfect.  God doesn’t need perfection on an exterior level (although our additional resources can serve as valuable aids).  What He does want is our reliance on Him.  Additionally, for our hearts to be perfectly pure in its intentions and that comes by remaining in Jesus.  The issue is not one of condemnation for the Lord came to heal us, not condemn us.  It is a matter of understanding the nature of God.

Further reading: 1 Corithians 8:1-3, 1 Corinthians 13, John 3:17, In the Eye of the Beholder