Church Blog

Leave my intentions out of your mouth this Christmas!

Recently I have had people tell me they know why I did something.  Surprise!  I wasn’t even aware that I had done something.  They took what they saw and imposed their subjective conclusions on my actions.  I must admit I was perturbed. 

Now, if what I had innocently done had been labeled magnanimous, I would have been fine with such a misunderstanding.  But quite the opposite was the case.  I hadn’t done anything, and it was written off as mean-spirited and unkind.  To my best ability I try to be nice, cordial, and fair to everyone I meet. Why, I even keep the doors open for little old people (they are my peers, aren’t they?).

To accuse one of evil intentions despite that person’s dissent is comparable to calling them a liar.  And, if done to me, that can really tick me off.  Twice now I’ve had to walk away from those who brought such charges against yours’ truly.  I thought it best to vacate immediately rather than to spout vitriol.

Now, I know that the Bible says that we are to expect such difficulties in this life, but that does not make it any easier when it happens.  One verse, Luke 6:26, says, “Woe to you when all the people speak well of you; for their fathers used to treat the false prophets the same way.”  In other words, if you are not being hassled why not?

Things I truly find ridiculously hard to discern are the motives of other human beings.  Among my friends I suspect I have a reasonable ability to diagnose intentions, but I would never conclude that I was absolutely accurate.  People are too complex to be able to observe, question and determine conclusively the reason behind their actions.

Only God knows the thoughts and intentions of the heart.  And so, as I draw this blog to a close, I find myself comfortable with myself, knowing that I was not guilty of the aforementioned cruelties.  The Holy Spirit is faithful to point out to me, and He has done it often, when I should admit and apologize for things said and done.

This Christmas season, do yourself a favor, do not try to decipher another person’s intentions, especially if your conclusion would put that person in a bad position.  Give one another the benefit of the doubt.  Err on the positive rather than the negative.

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