CHARACTER DEFECT – INSINCERITY

We all long to be genuine and sincere in our relationship with God and others, and yet we often find ourselves being fake and insincere.  Self-centeredness, fear, co-dependency, approval seeking, irritation and control issues are just a few of the things that push us over the slippery slope to that ugly place where we are not truthful about what we are saying but rather are hiding what is going on inside us.

People will love only themselves and money. They will be proud and boast about themselves … They will have no love for others and will refuse to forgive anyone. They will talk about others to hurt them and will have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. People will turn against their friends. They will do foolish things without thinking and will be so proud of themselves. Instead of loving God, they will love pleasure. They will go on pretending to be devoted to God, but they will refuse to let that “devotion” change the way they live. Stay away from these people!  (2 Timothy 3:2-6 ERV)

It's time to stop pretending.  We need to say what we mean and mean what we say.  We need to speak the truth with kindness, admit when we are wrong and forgive others when they fail.  If we make plans we need to keep them, even if it is inconvenient.  When we say we care, we need to really listen and perhaps lend a hand.  We need to watch our words and quit any negative talk or gossip.  If we have a problem with someone, we need to learn how to talk it out in a healthy way. We don't know everything, and we cannot always attend to someone else’s needs.  We need to become genuine and humble, admitting our limits.  We need to remember what we can do in the light of how far we have come.  Rather than making insincere and foolish promises we know we can't keep, we need to have respect for the circumstances and say "No" or "I can't" to the person asking for help. This honours them more than empty words.

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. (Romans 12:9, 1 John 3:18 NIRV)

Prayer: Loving God, You are faithful and sincere in all Your ways.  Teach me to be truthful and kind in every circumstance.  Please forgive me when I falter.  Amen