Do you find yourself trying to lead another in whatever direction you are sure they need to go? It can get frustrating, really hard to keep on trying when that person (or persons) insists on going the wrong way. When it comes down to it, if they’re not apt to listen it’s not always because they don’t trust you as much as they trust whoever told them to go the wrong way. That person with ill advice is a stumbling block who reinforces some underlying fault within the heart of the person being deceived enabling their behavior. For instance, some money-grubbing false preacher says it’s ok to commit some moral sin – a sin which entices that person – so they begin to rationalize. That’s the sad reality of the situation. Why they misplace their trust is another matter, or maybe I should say a deeper aspect of the same issue. They might be deceived because of some underlying desire, some character defect, and so take the wrong path. Some less apparent issues like the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and/or the pride of life probably lurk just below the surface.
It may be difficult to connect the dots in these situations, to identify the core problem and work your way back to the connection with the wrong choice. Or maybe starting with whatever choice of paths they decide to follow might be easier, but either way, for some reason, and probably some reason they have hidden even from themselves, they insist on taking the wrong route. Sometimes it may not even be necessary to identify the “why” and thus simply set to helping them take corrective action. The stronger the appeal of the urge, however, such as trying to justify some immoral craving, the harder it becomes to convince them they are in error. Of course, when someone in a position of perceived authority such as some rich megachurch pastor or some errant politician tells them it’s ok to go the way they have chosen, it becomes much more difficult to change their trajectory. This always makes it easier to make bad choices, even if deep down they might initially suspect such a belief or behavior is wrong.
The bottom line is that people stray into error because somewhere deep down they want to. That said however, the elect of Jesus Christ, if their heart is pure, cannot be deceived. Or at least they cannot stay deceived; they have at their assistance the perfect Advisor who, in some way will invariably point out deception, and it’s up to them whether or not they choose to proceed with error. Surely, I’m not talking to the wind here! There have to be people out there who have encountered this phenomenon, one in which you have a loved one or a dear friend who you try to convince they are going the wrong way or believing false dogma, but to no avail because they have convinced themselves, for whatever reason, that they need to continue down this errant path they’ve chosen.
One of – if not the – biggest mistakes we make in our efforts guide our loved ones and/or friends to the truth is that we often do not avail ourselves of the fact that we have a powerful ally who is willing and able to help us. We tend to underestimate or even ignore the power of the Holy Spirit, possibly our only ally, who is able to defeat the enemy who holds our dear ones in his iron grip. If we pay attention and trust Him, the Spirit teaches us ways to reach those in need of guidance and the things they need to know in order to break the spell of the enemy, especially over the unwary. Sometimes we’re able to make a big difference in someone’s life with the simplest of gestures or suggestions from the Spirit, but in any event, we must recognize Him and seek His guidance in order to succeed; the Spirit of Jesus Christ will give us the tools and weapons we need, but only if we are serious and not operating out of some personal motivation outside His acceptable judgement. Remember that “Blessed are the pure at heart” admonition – we must seek His help for the right reasons.
I have personally run into this issue with someone close to me and I find the process of which I speak to be effective, but in my experience, not instantaneous. I see the enemy turn the screws of this person’s spirit and it’s painful at times to watch, but I know in the end Jesus’ intervention in this person’s life will overcome the wiles of the devil, it’s just a matter of how long this person is willing and/or able to resist the correct path so that they can finally begin to taste the genuine freedom He offers. It’s really tough to convince someone when they are wrong about something. Almost anything. Sometimes there is a feeling of helplessness, and that we must fight off, but in this endeavor, if we are convinced they are in error, we cannot give up. I will not give up – I firmly expect to see my powerful Ally prevail. It’s called faith – faith with which I have thankfully been abundantly blessed – faith learned through many hard-taught lessons. Faith, as we know from scripture, is one of the only things, – alongside hope and secondary to love – that we can have which is actually worth something. We must always pray for more faith. And pray unceasingly for the one we are trying to help. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much!
Whichever method you employ in your guidance, the subject person must know with no room for doubt that you are approaching them out of love. If your friend/relative has any notion of any other motive, you are wasting your time. For instance, people often feel the need to reinforce their positions from “I’m right and you’re wrong” perspective and that never works. Be willing to listen without being judgmental of every facet of the conversation – everyone knows at least some aspects of genuine spirituality and we must faithfully recognize and reinforce them when they are right about something. Of course, when the conversation gets into the reasons or justifications for their errant choices, we must seek and employ the wisdom of Solomon to address them – inoffensively – and only if necessary, but always from the guidance of scripture and that scripture that must not be misinterpreted. If the person claims to be a believer, misinterpretation of the Bible is usually why they’re off course in the first place. That’s where the Spirit comes in. If one is truly guided by the Holy Spirit, the scriptures will always be revealed correctly. Seek and you will find!
May the blessing of the Almighty Father find and keep us.
MK