The tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits…

From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brother and sisters, this ought not
to be so. James 3:5,10.

Christians are not perfect, just forgiven. Their imperfections manifest themselves in
the games they sometimes play. At a conference I heard the British Bible teacher Selwyn
Hughes suggests these:

* ‘Let’s gossip while we pray!’ (getting attention by disclosing special information).

* ‘I’m only trying to help’ (which masks a patronising superiority complex).

* ‘What’s wrong with the way it is?’ (don’t put me into a position where I have to face
change).

* ‘Let God do it’ (and then I don’t have to get involved in messy issues).

* ‘Now I’ve got you!’ (one-upmanship by one who believes they are a divinely -ordained
critic).

* ‘What’s to cry about now?’ (if I haven’t got a problem I won’t get attention).

* ‘Yes, but’ (no one can tell me what to do).

* ‘What if I weren’t here?’ (I am involved in so much, I need to be needed, and be seen
doing everything. Have you heard of the Baptist who wouldn’t be baptized by immersion
because he couldn’t be out of sight of people for a single second!).

Seriously, these examples of ‘deficit motivation’ are some of many games Christians
play. Can you think of some others?

Playing games like these is childish, Lord. Help me to recognize the dishonesty
involved here and grow up. Amen.

Rowland Croucher <>