Feeling troubled this morning.
I awoke this morning troubled, grappling with a profound perplexity: how can some individuals extend empathy toward the destructive choices and patterns of others, whether a cousin, friend, or even a close relative? This inclination to condone such behavior is, to me, utterly incomprehensible, rendering it exceedingly difficult to empathize with those who persist in such paths.
Among the most detrimental habits I have observed is the avoidance of health-related discussions, particularly the dismissal of non-invasive solutions like natural and biblical remedies. It is baffling when someone chooses a slow decline over these alternatives. How can I share in the sadness and tears of those who refuse to act, continuing down a path that yields no positive outcomes but only degrades their health and quality of life? How can I simply comply and say, “Whatever you wish”? Such acceptance is not love. Such acquiescence reflects the actions of those who lack a spiritual or loving connection to another.
They simply agree with whatever path is chosen even if it’s towards ruin, devoid of emotional attachment. How can some Christians adopt such a stance? The answer lies in their superficial faith, as I will explain. The Apostle Paul did not show such leniency toward those misled by errant theology; his righteous anger burned fiercely, and I, too, feel a similar indignation—not at the person, but at their choices.
Avoidance
This pattern of avoidance extends to modern religious contexts, where individuals prioritize a superficial sense of peace over addressing matters critical to their spiritual salvation. Rather than engaging in open dialogue to resolve issues and secure their eternal path, they remain silent, complicit in enabling destructive choices through their inaction. As a believer, I find this behavior unbiblical. Scripture does not endorse empathizing with such choices, even from those closest to us. A true believer feels anger at the choices, not the individual, and the closer the relationship, the more challenging it becomes to dialogue without conforming to misguided expectations.
Would these enablers remain silent if their own children made such choices? I doubt it. The love Elohim commands us to extend to others must mirror the love we have for ourselves—the greatest love one human can offer another. Parents often exemplify this by fiercely advocating for their children’s well-being. If a child veered toward destruction, would they go quietly? Certainly not! They would instead mirror my frustrations. Why, then, do we not fight for others with the same vigor? Scripture instructs us to “love your neighbor as yourself,” guiding us to take righteous action, not to ignore God’s laws or act as if consequences do not exist.
Why is it deemed permissible to yield to an individual’s destructive choices under the pretext of love guided by wisdom, yet we vehemently condemn, oppose, and warn against suicide? Are these not fundamentally similar? One manifests as a gradual, insidious harm, while the other is sudden and irrevocable. Does this hypocrisy not arise from ignorance?
Why would we choose to follow individuals who propagate such teachings? Eloquence in speech is not uncommon, but true wisdom, bestowed by Elohim, is a rare and divine gift that comes only by truly knowing him.
The more I study Scripture to straighten my own walk, the more I perceive the folly in modern-day Christianity. Scripture demands that believers rebuke, teach, and correct misinterpretations and corruption within the true church. Initially, I felt overwhelmed by this responsibility, aware of my own imperfections. Gazing skyward, I questioned Elohim: how can I correct others when I am still learning? Yet, I came to understand that we are accountable only for what we know. If I am unaware of a specific command, I cannot correct another. This realization illuminated the perfection of God’s law, compelling me to share biblical truth in hopes of guiding others to straighten their walk.
I cannot read minds, so I persist in offering a heartfelt correction with scriptural evidence, trusting it may resonate. However, my efforts cease when I am convinced of another’s insincerity. Once I deem someone disingenuous through their fruits—pretending to be a believer while lacking genuine faith—I step back, as Scripture advises, and leave their correction to Elohim. Those who truly have studied Scripture know this is a grave outcome.
The Apostle Paul, though not omniscient, continually corrected, rebuked, and taught according to his understanding of Elohim’s character, grounded in what he read, not in human assumptions. Similarly, my deepening study of Scripture convinces me that there is little hope for those who arrogantly choose ignorance. Elohim grants sufficient time for salvation, yet modern Christianity often propagates the fallacy that salvation is possible without adhering to God’s commands. Such subjective assumptions are absurd.
This mindset mirrors the approach to physical health. A young person diagnosed with cancer is often eager to explore all advice, even challenging what they hear to gain clarity or offer insight. This dialogue—teaching or learning—increases their chances of survival. As Job reveals, even pagans will do anything to preserve their lives, a genuine act driven by interest. Likewise, a true believer will do anything to ensure their salvation. Yet, many Christians lack this zeal. Their understanding is superficial, and they show no interest in correction or deeper knowledge to perfect their walk, unlike the diligence they would apply to a life-threatening illness.
Liars, deceivers, and the corrupt avoid dialogue, fearing exposure, even severing communication to evade accountability. Many, misled by the crowd, assume the majority’s theology is accurate, yet Scripture teaches the opposite. Those who fail to guide others’ thoughts, feelings, or perspectives are the very individuals Scripture warns against. By following their own gods, they stray from the path of righteousness. Consequently, wisdom is withheld from them, and the presence of the Most High is absent in their lives by their own choosing, as they focus on a superficial act of godliness to deceive others, whether knowingly or unknowingly deceiving others, regardless of whether their intentions are genuine or deliberately deceitful.
I have not yet attained perfection, nor am I here to focus on others’ shortcomings. Instead, my aim is to elucidate our responsibilities as believers while fostering an environment of mutual teaching and biblical correction. This mindset is strengthened by deepening biblical knowledge, steadfast faith, and a consistent walk with Elohim, against which there is no law.
These are my reflections this morning, born of living in a world that challenges my convictions. I choose to persist in truth, driven by Scripture’s call to love, correct, and dialogue, not for my sake alone, but for the salvation of others.