Frienemies...
a new concept for me.
Growing up in the 80s...you're either a friend...or not.
But now we've got Frienemies...at work....at school....at church!
Last time I checked...no church is perfect...'cause YOU go there...(and I do too)
We're all striving...struggling...towards Jesus...
With that said...some desire everything...to be perfect...
or "look" perfect all the time. That way they don't have to deal with the Lord...they've done everything with their own works.
CONTROLLING....
When that's not achieved (what frienemies consider perfection)
...and things aren't going well in their own lives...
they strive to make other areas "perfect" or at least control them...that way they don't have to deal with their own mess...they'll just make up stuff about YOU...but they'll be a nugget of truth...so you believe it!
So they lie...if it's funny or suits their purpose...
The sad thing is...people take what others say as truth...just because it comes out of a mouth.
You've been seen with them...so of course what they say is true.
Lets choose to believe NOTHING we hear about others...unless they're present or it's coming from their own mouth.
Verify a person's GOSSIP with calling up the "talked about" and seeing if it's true.
If we did this that would eliminate the frienemies.
Most folks aren't bold enough to do that
...we'd rather gossip...
we'd rather be weak!
I'm tired of being weak. I'm tired of frienemies! Aren't you?
Tea parties become gripe sessions...
Prayer circles become gossip rings...
Power walks engulfed in tearing down others...
Play dates dripping in jocking and vying your personal agenda.
Coffee cliches stinking of dissecting the poor gal who...(insert juicy gossip here)!
(Don't get me wrong...I love ALL the above...
and will continue to do them...praying I don't falter...)
but isn't sin...
Exhausting!
and all the while...the devil looks on laughing...
thinking...
"I've got them worried about others...and not looking to Jesus, not praying, too mad to read their bible, disciple anyone else, care for another sister or brother that's hurting!..."
Remember the devil was gorgeous and beautiful...
he will come at you wrapped up in beautiful packages,
beautiful people
oh a ugly ones too,
you can be impressed and deceived...
sin worked through people who aren't friends...but frienemies...
Don't let the devil win!
You WILL have people who are "frienemies" passing themselves off as your friend...
and let's just get this straight
...THEY ARE your TRIALS!
...if you face trials (and we know we will...)
be joyful!
Be joyful!
BE JOYFUL!
Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking in anything. James 1:2-4
Have a great day...I will too...
tomorrow...I've got to blog about some light and airy...something fun,
but for today...I'm choosing JOY!
6 comments:
Do you think it is something about getting older that makes us unwilling to participate, clear on what is going on, and determined to be better than that? I know a few years ago I realized everything you wrote about and decided ENOUGH. I wouldn't participate. I would (for my sake and the sake of my family) view even the most salacious bit of gossip with a compassionate eye, "Oh, so and so's husband still isn't working? What a challenging situation for them all!" is far better than, "Oh, so and so's husband still isn't working? He must be (insert some negative judgment here)...poor so and so." You're right...it is not easy because we are human, but it is easier to sleep at night, face your husband and children, and face so-and-so and her husband across the street! Thanks for the reinforcement.
Well said, lady! :)
I like heavy posts. I can totally relate to what you wrote. It's amazing when all that happens, but sadly it happens often!
I really like posts like this too. It's heavy, but it's true. I just had this talk w/ my daughter and her two friends that came home w/ us yesterday after church. I reminded them about their conversations, and about gossiping about any of their friends. It's a lesson for myself too, I know!
This I like. It's so to the point and more importantly, true.
I used to love a bit of gossip but as I got older I realised that it wasn't a good use of my time and that it left me feeling bad. My motto . . if you can't say something good, say nothing at all!
I LOVE this post! I remember some years back during a message on gossip and slander our pastor advised everyone when they get someone in their ear "sharing" about another person, stop them before they get started and say, I just want you to know up front that I will be calling sister/brother so and so to ask them about this myself or to verify this. That put a HUGE dent in unwholesome talk in the church.
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