A New Way of Living
1 Peter 2:1 So then, stop doing anything to hurt others. Don’t lie anymore, and stop trying to fool people. Don’t be jealous or say bad things about others.
These days, the idea of not hurting people’s feelings can be something of a tricky proposition. With the rapid ascendency of identity politics and so many different identities demanding acceptance, it can feel as though you’re walking on the eggshells of political correctness.
Now, I get that. The world’s changing. Some of that’s good, some of it … not so much. So navigating the minefield of people’s feelings is oft times a difficult and delicate thing to do.
And yet there are some basic principles in all of this that we abandon at our own peril. The Apostle Peter, in pointing out how fleeting life truly is, goes on to say this:
1 Peter 2:1 So then, stop doing anything to hurt others. Don’t lie anymore, and stop trying to fool people. Don’t be jealous or say bad things about others.
We can disagree with people without belittling them, without setting out to hurt them. When we disagree in love, their feelings may still be hurt and that’s something you can’t control. but hey… if we’re going to disagree, let’s do it with kindness, gentleness and love.
And dishonesty, lying, setting out to fool and deceive people … come on, that’s just not on. In many respects, this one’s the easiest to deal with. Just don’t do it. Jealousy and gossip go hand in hand … and because of our own flawed self-image they’re often much harder to deal with, but deal with them we must.
So, sure … in this rapidly changing world, navigating people’s emotions can be tricky. But come on … some things are darned pretty simple.
That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.
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