Posted on by Abe Austin

Weak vs Strong Kindness

There is both a weak kindness and a strong kindness. The weak kindness is based on fear. It is where one allows oneself to be consumed by another, or by the masses. This individual gives others exactly what they want to have and tells them exactly what they want to hear. The individual does this because he is afraid of being rejected and left alone. His integrity is secondary to being accepted.

The strong kindness, on the other hand, is only possible when one is firmly his own self, deeply rooted, and full of integrity. Such a one knows his standards, and does not violate them for another, but he will give of himself when it is aligned with his principles. Thus, this person gives “kindness” on his own terms, and when he does so by sharing a part of his own self. It is a sacrifice made not by compulsion, but with true compassion and altruistic motives.

The weak kindness satiates in the moment, but it reinforces bad behavior and ultimately only hurts the world. Only the strong kindness helps.

Posted on by Abe Austin

A Choice of Integrity

A choice of integrity is a choice that I can live with for the long term and not hurt my conscience. If I am making a choice that I am willing to tolerate only for a time, but could not abide by permanently, then it is likely not a choice that I am making in integrity.

That is not to say that there cannot be changes of situation or perspective. It is possible to make one choice in integrity, and then with integrity change it afterward. It is also possible to recognize that one is entering a special season in life, and posture oneself accordingly, with the up-front understanding that after the season is over things will change.

But if from the outset I make a choice with the hope and expectation that those around me will change so that I do not have to abide by that choice any longer, then I have started without integrity. I am looking for outside sources to rescue me from my own decision, and that means I am making a violation against myself. I should not count on outside situations or people to change. I should ask myself what I would do from my conscience if they never changed, and the answer to that question is the choice of integrity.

Posted on by Abe Austin

Scriptural Analysis- Leviticus 5:4

4 Or if a soul swear, pronouncing with his lips to do evil, or to do good, whatsoever it be that a man shall pronounce with an oath, and it be hid from him; when he knoweth of it, then he shall be guilty in one of these.

Today’s verse talks about when a man makes a pledge or an oath, but something about it is “hid from him,” such that he wasn’t able to fulfill his promise, even though he meant it when he said it. The “hiding” factor could be that he forgot his promise, or he failed to account for conflicting factors that made it impossible, or that he over-committed himself beyond what he could actually do. This is not a terrible sin, but it is an infraction where the integrity of his deeds did not fully match his words.

Clearly this is a common thing even today. I promise to help a friend move, but I forgot I won’t be in town that day. I promise my boss to have my report ready by end of day, but it was more work than I realized. I say that I’ll bring the ice, then sleep through my alarm and miss the whole thing. So long as I genuinely meant to do what I said, then I’m not a liar, and I have no malice, but people are still left wanting and disappointed.

The rituals that we will start to hear about in the following verses would serve as both a way to set things right, and a reminder to be more careful with our promises. We should all endeavor to minimize our failures in promise-keeping and take accountability for any instances that still occur.