When you see someone doing something or saying something that is wrong, what do you do? Do you hold back your judgments and your opinion and just pray that they eventually see the errors in their ways? Or do you risk conflict, speak up and notify them that you see them heading toward a spiritual cliff? How do you address the matter in a loving yet correctional way without sounding like an arrogant, confrontational, self-righteous know-it-all?
Today's culture and society's norms have made it politically incorrect to correct anyone. We live in an age hostile to correction. We have been told that we should mind our own business and accept the fact that everyone has the right to do, think, be, and act just as they see fit in their own eyes, as long as it is not hurting others. But what if their words and/or actions are hurting others? What if they are hurting themselves spiritually?
Although it's much easier to remain silent, sometimes the most loving thing you can do is to privately tell another what he or she is doing wrong. You may be the only one who cares enough to point out what everyone else sees, but refuses to address. On the flip side, we truly need wisdom to know when to correct and when to overlook. We need to be intellectually honest with ourselves to see if we are just projecting our own stuff and issues on others.
I wrote a new, very personal song about having to apologize for hurting someone's feelings when after much prayer I decided to address my concerns. It's always a risk to speak up but I believe it's a risk worth taking when you love the person and are legitimately concerned. Click here to take a listen to my new track and view the lyrics for "I'm Sorry".
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