Proverbs 29:25 (NIV)
25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever
trusts in the Lord is kept safe.
Those may be said to flatter their neighbours who commend
and applaud that good in them (the good they do or the good they have) which
really either is not or is not such as they represent it, and who profess that
esteem and that affection for them which really they have not; these spread a
net for their feet. [Matthew Henry Commentary]
In his Focus on the Family magazine article entitled
"The Problem with Nice Guys," Paul Coughlin insists Christians must
avoid passive and aggressive extremes, opting instead for assertiveness. He
offers the following example from pop culture to illustrate what Christian
assertiveness looks like:
Three major personality types are found among the judges
of the popular reality TV show American Idol. Passive Paula Abdul is gracious
but not always truthful. Aggressive Simon Cowell is truthful but rarely
gracious. Assertive Randy Jackson is often truthful and gracious. Be like
Randy.
We can’t afford to sugar coat the truth or we will fall
into the trap of believing the things we do wrong in life are OK. We also can’t
afford to be too harsh with ourselves; for when we do that we feel shame and
guilt. Instead we need to be honest with ourselves and The Lord so He can guide
us to the right path and we are willing to follow.
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