I hear you

How much truth can we handle, and how much do we really want to hear? Can we really handle the Truth? When someone is brutally honest with you, what is your first reaction? I know what mine is, It’s; who do you think you are, and what makes you think you can talk to me like this! Then, the automatic defense mechanism kicks in, and thoughts of; “look at your sorry behind, like you have room to talk”, pop right into the mind! But the truth is; we really can’t handle too much truth. So the question becomes; How do we come to the best interactive application of accountability that Christ calls us too, as believers? Where is the line drawn between accountability and being judgmental? How do we humble ourselves to the point of considering constructive criticism, that we all absolutely need? Some are way better at this than others, but nobody really wants to be told their faults, it’s unnatural. Christ teaches that we are to do this.. “Matthew 7:5 First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”, but how can we be sure that we have done this, and are in the right place to speak bluntly to someone else? Is there ever a time where we can say that we are not doing the same things as others, just in a different way with different elements? The person who tells a complainer to stop complaining might be constantly expressively rude in ways that they feel are justified, inwardly. The alcoholic might tell the marijuana smoker they are stupid for smoking that stuff, because, although they drink everyday, they function and feel there is no problem with their drinking, while the smoker feels the same way, and the truth being both should quit! Ephesians chapter 4 is very helpful in understanding how we need to navigate accountability by explaining the universal purpose we all have within the body of Christ, with these verses clarifying it.. “14 we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ.” ¿Encouraging each other to be more like Christ takes the focus off of us judging each other and puts it on our bilateral need to see ourselves for who we really are, by the help of one another speaking truth in love. Father, I pray for humility, for bigger ears and a smaller judgmental mouth. Work mightily in me, Lord. In Christ’s name, Amen.