When I am out of synch (part 18)

• A very manipulative way I see many people talk to loved ones is to say, “I don;t love you” or “you don't love me”. And I must be careful of that because God doesn't look favorably when I say that. I do think He knows when I am just trying to manipulate Him and when I really mean it. Neither situation is good. But worse than this is to act in a manner that demonstrates that I don't love Him, that is to be unkind to brethren, to lie and cheat, and to rage at them. (I Corinthians 16:22) It is the way of the world to manipulate. It is also the way of the world to be hypocritical. And this is particularly what 1 John 2:15 says to me, that I am not to love the world but to love the ways of God. Otherwise I cannot claim Him as my Father. I also see favoritism in many people, the way that Isaac and Rebekah played favorites with their children. (Gen 25:3) I don't think God approves of this either but praise God He can use this tendency in all of us to strengthen and build up His body into what truly matters, unity in the Spirit. He teaches me in His word the best way to love, and it's not manipulative and it's not playing favorites to the point of dissension in families, especially the family of God.