“Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.” (Eccl. 7:3)
“Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.” (Prov. 13:12)
Two verses that go directly against what the world says, yet, that is to be expected, is it not? Contentment is not what those in this world seek after, happiness is, and every time that it is found by them, it will only be temporary. Hope must be grounded in anticipation, and for most people, if that hope is not realized, a form of depression, if only temporary in itself, will ensue.
The world says happiness is better than sorrow; in fact, sorrow is to be avoided at all cost. It says absence makes the heart grow fonder, yet in that absence they do not seem to possess happiness.
It should be expected, we really never should be amazed by anything the unrepentant have to say, without the truth that only the Holy Spirit can reveal to us, they will continue to live in lies, in confusion.
“For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” (1st Cor. 14:33)
When you begin to speak to them, not if, but when, about these deeply ingrained beliefs, no matter their currently held beliefs, you must remember this, what they will hear you saying is that they have been deceived for the entirety of their lives, that they themselves have been living a lie.
It goes without saying that they will not take kindly to your words of truth.
Pick any works-based religious organization, any person that holds to no faith-based structure, anyone who has not been born again, and sadly some that have, and reveal the truths of the words of Almighty God to them and by default what you are saying to them is that they are wrong. And most generally, the very first thing that they will do is put up a defensive front. And above all you must remember these verses of truth.
“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” (1st Cor. 1:18)
“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1st Cor. 2:14)
Until the Lord Jesus Christ personally introduced Himself to me, everything I thought about Him was wrong, and since that day, I have had to be corrected an untold number of times. His truth sets us free, but pride always says, “I don’t want that freedom,” because then I would have to admit I was wrong.
Such is the way of mankind. Holding onto the thought that we are right, even after we have been shown to be wrong, is self-demeaning my friends, it harms no one but ourself. It is perhaps one of the firmest grips of pride.
“Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.” (Prov. 9:9)
If you are overly concerned about hurting people’s feelings, then you will never be an effectual witness for the Lord, it is bound to happen. Even when done so in love, with all humility and kindness.
There is no way to speak truth to someone without informing them that they are wrong. Force it upon them and they will hate you, leave them with the truths of the words of God, and they will have no choice but to contemplate them.
You have done what you have been sent out into the world to do, from there it is in the hands of the Holy Spirit. In either case, accepting or denying those truths, they will be convicted, to stay in the lie, or receive the truth.
