"Let me introduce you to my friend."

In chapter 3 of Desperate Dependency: Finding Christ Relevant to Every Area of Life, the Insight Journal asks you to consider various scenarios when a situation would be ministry (seeking your best interest) versus when it would be manipulation (seeking my best interest). What do you think about this one?

“Katie! Katie!! Katie!!! Katie!!!! You HAVE to come meet my new friend!!!!!” Sarah bounced as she drug Katie down the sidewalk. “There I was just sitting in the library minding my own business when this good-looking guy asked if he could share the table with me. Of course, I didn’t want to say ‘no!’ He has the most gorgeous blue eyes and kind smile! And then his friend came over and sat down too! Two great looking guys were sitting at the table with me!! And guess what they were studying! They both had these huge law books and said they were getting ready to defend a big lawsuit. Apparently they work for this big law firm down the street.

“Katie, you have to come meet these guys so I won’t look so stupid! You are so smart and beautiful that I KNOW they will want to ask us both out! You can talk to them about the big case you just won in court! They might even help you get on with their law firm. I know you have wanted to work some place more prestigious. We could both marry these handsome, rich, successful lawyers and live happily ever after! This is a win, win situation for both of us!”

Can you find evidence of the Holy Spirit’s fruit of kindness in this scenario? How many different ways did Sarah try to manipulate?

Did this make you think of an example where someone used manipulation instead of allowing the Holy Spirit to exhibit kindness in his or her life? We’d love to hear your story. Write to us at contact@desperatedependency.com.

Click here for a more complete elaboration on the topic of counterfeit kindness or visit WinePress Bookstore for a copy of Desperate Dependency: Finding Christ Relevant to Every Area of Life by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis.