Scare Tactics
Theme of the Week: A Different Way to Lead
Lloyd Ogilvie
Sunday, September 14, 2003
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Key Bible Verse: Don't condemn each other anymore. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not put an obstacle in another Christian's path (Romans 14:13). Bonus Reading:Colossians 2:2a
How do you intend to change this man?" I asked Larry, whose frustration with someone he wanted to help was about to explode.
"I'm going to scare the 'hell' out of him," he muttered, "and put the fear of God into him!"
"I doubt whether scaring him will change the 'hell' he's living in," I cautioned, "and threatening him with God's judgment won't give the power to be different. Why not try to put the love of God into him by sharing how God's love has helped you to change? Tell me, how has God helped you?"
My friend's attitude softened as he recalled two big changes in his life. One was when his doctor told him he was going to have a heart attack unless he changed his lifestyle and lost 50 pounds.
"Did the doctor scare the 'hell' out of you?" I asked.
"No," Larry replied. "He'd been my confidant for years, and gave me the prognosis with empathy and concern."
"Then, how'd you lose all the weight?" I queried.
He told me about meeting with a group of church people who encouraged each other to lose weight. He said they were his "cheering section." [continued 9/15]
—Lloyd Ogilvie in Facing the Future Without Fear
Adapted from Facing the Future Without Fear (Servant, 1999, 2002) by permission.
Copyright © 2003 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.
Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.
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