What We Are

Back in February I mentioned a corporate training program I had taken in a previous, working, life.  It is entitled What You Are Is Where You Were When, and their website explains that the training:

… presents a framework for understanding and working with all different types of people. Morris takes on assumptions about race, religion, age, gender and will help you develop strategies to deal with your homegrown prejudices and acceptance of others.

Back in February I mentioned the program’s three periods:

Imprint (from birth to seven),
Modeling (between eight and thirteen)
Socialization (fourteen to twenty-one)

Thinking about that again this morning, I realized I have spoken with people over 21 who state emphatically, “That’s the way I was raised.” Whether in those words or their actions, they resent the implication change would be beneficial, and do not accept there might be a reason, much less a need, to change. They were past these three periods and felt they knew what they were.

Paul knew that change was inevitable when we come to know Christ:

If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. (Ephesians 4:21-24 KJV)

The ‘deceitful lusts’ differ from person to person. The enticement that keeps us from hearing God’s message is personalized to fit us well. To list them all would only serve to tempt. Paul does list a few:

Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.

Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. (Ephesians 4:25-29 KJV)

Considering all of this when witnessing is helpful, but there’s one more thing of the greatest importance when witnessing:

But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost. (Mark 13:11 KJV)

Christ was speaking of the end times, the latter days. We are 2,000 years closer to them than He was.

Become familiar with God’s word. Remain close to Him in prayer. Be aware of backgrounds and be knowledgeable about people – but (a huge hesitation here) do not get in God’s way. Allow His word, His plan, His work be done in our witness.