“I love how passionate you are about this subject. I only wish you were as right as you are passionate.” I listened to these words the other day, when a guest on a broadcast was countering the host’s point. I believed the gentleman was being perfectly sincere in his response and it was not intended as a barb against the host. Recognizing the truth and applicability in that statement, my wheels could not help but twist and turn in analysis.
I could apply that to so many instances in my life. Specifically, instances I allowed my passion to override my ability to receive a counterpoint thus eliminating any opportunity to dissect and discern any possible truth that might exist. We do that, don’t we? We become so emotionally invested at times that we can no longer see the forest for the trees. Our field of view narrows and we can no longer shift to varying perspectives in order to remotely grasp the big picture. Our passionate blindness renders impossible our ability to negotiate the point in which truth and feeling blur.
This passionate handicapping can greatly damage or render our witness ineffective. When we allow the depth of our emotional commitment to blind us to only one possible perspective (our own) we hobble ourselves to one spot and, consequently, miss the potential opportunity for further enlightenment and growth.
Passion is a good thing, a human necessity, meant to be embraced and cherished. Our salvation, witness and relationship with Christ are gloriously emotional, passionate endeavors. However, passion alone can prevent you from being able to uncover and recognize something that God very much needs you to understand. Passions can be used by satan to so engulf you and drown out all else that he has you right where he wants you, in the muck, bogged down, unable to receive or proceed.
II Timothy 3:16,17 (NKJV) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
I’m not suggesting compromise of what you know to be truth. I’m not suggesting that it is necessary to “go along to get along”. Disagreement of sorts is natural and inevitable. What I am suggesting is to not allow one’s passion to so cloud their judgment that necessary light is not permitted to enter. Allow yourself to be open enough to thoughtfully analyze various perspectives and trust the power of the holy spirit to enable you to discern the truths from the lies. Have a blessed weekend.
In full pursuit of the greatest Trophy,
Scott Pace
