Proverbs
11:17 A
man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man
hurts
himself.
Psalm 109:16-17 For he did not remember to show kindness, but pursued the poor and needy and
the brokenhearted, to put them to death. He loved to curse; let curses come
upon him! He did not delight in blessing; may it be far from him!
Remember the story of the
blind men trying to describe an elephant? One grabbed the tail and said an
elephant was like a rope. The second man, touching its ear, thought the
elephant was like a leaf. The third man embraced its leg and said an elephant
was like a pillar.
These blind men are like
many Christians, scientists and society in their understanding about the cause
of emotional problems in people. They grab hold of one factor without
considering other possibilities. Lack of will power, sinful choices, evil or
demonic forces, knowledge of the medical issue, emotional development and
upbringing, environment, traumatic events, or biology are other potential
factors influencing the individual.
Balance is a better
approach. Some will blame all problems on sin and choices, while another person
will blame upbringing and society for the person’s behavior. True, all our
problems began with original sin. Every aspect of our lives today has been
affected. Satan is always trying to influence our thinking and decisions.
People are most helped when we understand that choices, genetics and
environment, all contribute to a person’s emotional problems.
