Love the Sinner, Hate the Sin

So I've been thinking about this for a while now. Thinking about how people are hypocritical and speak with a forked tongue.

Growing up, I went to many different private schools. From Baptist to Lutheran to non-denominational, religion was something that was instilled in me. It was something that I learned from many different aspects. They all taught me one thing though, that even though someone may do something you don't like or if someone does something to hurt you, you can dislike the action, but to keep loving the person.

Now I gather that it didn't mean to let people push you around or to continually let others take advantage of you. I am sure that this rule allows you to create distance from a person who is hurting you, but yet to forgive them. I have also heard the term "forgive and forget" but I don't see how forgetting that something happened is an important part of moving on in your life. There are quite a few people I have forgiven in my life, but I will never forget how they treated me. However, I don't let what happened rule over my life. I don't let it weigh my heart down with hate. My life is not necessarily harmonious, but my life is mine.

My point is this. If someone wronged you or did something to you, accept that it happened and, if you can stop that person from harming another, then do it. Teach those around you to defend themselves against people who deliberately harm others. Teach your children to be aware of their surroundings. Don't instill your fear into their lives. Children need to be children.

And one more thing. Teach your children to love unconditionally. They watch your every move and they see things and pick up on these actions. If you speak nicely in front of them and then turn your head and spew insults and such, they will learn from this and think it is okay. My mother always told me never to say anything if I didn't have anything nice to say. Growing up, it's a hard thing to accomplish. As an adult, I have learned that you really do catch more bees with honey than you do with vinegar.