“Sin will always take you farther than you want to go.
Sin will always cost you more than you want to pay.
Sin will always keep you longer than you want to stay.”- Old saying
In Chapter 8 “Minimize- It’s Not That Big of a Deal”) of AHA, Kyle Idleman states that minimization takes denial and projection one step farther:
“Minimization is acknowledging the reality of the situation and even owning responsibility for it but denying its seriousness.”
Rather than being brutally honest, we tell ourselves half-truths that are tolerable. In the rationalizing words of the Black Knight (Monty Python and the Holy Grail) after Arthur had cut off both his arms: “It’s only a flesh wound.”
Pastor Idleman emphasizes that Scripture certainly doesn’t minimize the consequences of sin. For example, Jonah’s sermon to the people of Nineveh was short (eight words) and to the point: “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.” Jonah made no effort to minimize his message or apologize for hurting the Ninevites’ feelings.
We also tend to choose minimization instead of honesty. Most significantly, that minimization of our responsibility extends to the repercussions of the decisions we have made.
In the next several blogs Pastor Idleman discusses three phrases we often tell ourselves when we minimize the reality of a situation.
Today’s question: What role has minimization played following your ministry downsizing or vocation loss? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Truth, or consequences?”
