What rhymes with "WILT"

GUILT

Check this out over at Internetmonk

...It is the emotion of nagging, background guilt. Guilt related to deviating from the approved path of the group in thought and belief.

...

...They have raised questions, and sometimes affirmed answers, that have put them outside the traditions and identity of the group.

And they feel guilt for doing so...

...

Some of the guilt comes from actual reaction of the group and its leaders to their departure from the beliefs and worldview. But most of this guilt, I believe, is self-inflicted, and exists in the minds and hearts of these young men because they know their own thoughts and deepest convictions. They hold themselves guilty for growing, asking, disagreeing, and criticizing. (my emphasis added)

There is just too much of this stuff going on in religion with too many brothers in Christ. Michael Spencer (he is the "Internet Monk") goes to say:

I have some advice... If you are in an environment where you feel guilty about your personal journey of faith, something is wrong. (author's emphasis added). Be immediately suspicious when your legitmate explorations of the faith we share in Jesus results in guilt because you fear you have "strayed." (author's emphasis added).

Amen to this. I have been thinking about this subject a lot in recent weeks and out in the blogosphere there is just so much on this subject. To engage in dialoge and discussion with someone who has a different belief than you is something Paul did in the New Testament (the now infamous Mars Hill story in Acts 17). But he did not heap guilt on or mock the Athenians. He conversed with them. But, what is most missed on this story was that disagreement between the 2 parties was Jesus, the Gospel, and salvation. Discussions didn't revolve around side issues and peripherals of Christianity. Paul didn't waste time with that "stuff." In a fast and furious finish he laid out the gospel of Jesus for all to understand and comprehend. Leaving the door open for them to believe in the Risen Savior.

This is the only situation worth losing sleep over. This is the only issue worth "not giving in" on. This is the only conversation to stick to your guns. For lack of a better phrase, this is the only arguement to ever have! This is the only fact of life you should not wilt under.

But wilting is what we cause other to do when we heap so much guilt on them that they get beat down. Guilt is a very effective measure to get action. But is the action what is desired? Is the action legitmate? Is the action sincere? Is action then worth it if it wasn't legit, honest, and sincere? No. Additionally, to coerce someone into having their spirit wilt is just plain wrong. Heap so much baggage and hollow manipulations on them until they just wilt away is not being conformed to the image of Chirst.

I know I am at least half on a soapbox right now with the other foot ready to come off the floor as the soap box gets bigger, but my thoughts still aren't complete on this subject but what I have said so far is suffice for me at this moment.

As such, I ask any of you that read this to hold me accountable if you see that I have strayed from this. Hold off on the hypocrisy and two-faced emails until you ask me to check myself.

Again, read the whole Internetmonk entry here. It appears this is just one entry in a series that has already started and has more on the way. Should be some good reading for many.

On a personal note - Glad to see someone is getting back in the saddle.