What do you do?

The Bible tells us in Romans 12:10, “Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters.  Take the lead in honoring one another.”

I rarely see that.  Many people do whatever they can to get their own way.  Even when they know it is not welcome, they keep trying.  Part of us wants what we want, and we want others to help us get it.

So much has changed lately.  We feel out of control, but we want control.  There have always been some who hunger for power at all costs.  However, most of us do not realize how hungry we are (at least not at first).  Either way, we turn to manipulation.

Manipulation is a skill that we tend to master.  As children, we pout and throw tantrums.  As we grow, our methods grow – often to deceit and cruelty.  We are willing to humiliate to get our way – or sound spiritual – or cause guilt – or play on emotions – or stir up fear – or build a posse to help us – or gaslight.

Is this wrong?  Well, Philippians 2:3-4 clearly states, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves.  Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others.”

Our main problem is that we do not have the right view of God and others.  God is the only One who can meet our needs, so we either trust Him or not.  Others are just as valuable to God as you are, and they were created for His glory and will – not ours.

We need to be reminded of what Jesus said was the greatest command of all.  In Matthew 22:37-40, He said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the greatest and most important command.  The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.  All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.”

I can only imagine how wonderful the world would be if we all followed what Jesus said.  I can only imagine how wonderful it would be to not face the manipulation of others.  I can only imagine how much peace there would be if I was not tempted to get my own way.

Let’s do something about it.

Henry Cloud wrote a classic book on the boundaries we need in life. Everyone would benefit from the insight…