CHAPTER 26: LEAVING PEOPLE WITH THEIR DIGNITY 2025
2 Peter 1:5-8 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.
Nearly impossible, right? It’s to easy to give-in to self-righteous, indignant behavior. That’s what this chapter 26 is about. Stripping people of dignity is vicious, unforgiving, damaging and dangerous. It comes from fear, fleshly nature, looking bad. Anger, arrogance, embarrassment, all causing a trigger, an instantaneous explosion.
Romans 11:25 a For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion…
Many humbled themselves before Jesus, many did not. There are those who claim Godliness and are truly hypocrisy, in the name of God. It is a theme outlined by Jesus in the nature of the leadership of Israel during the time of Christ. Jesus addressed these individuals who robbed the dignity of God’s people in the name of God.
Matthew 23:1-3 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2 “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.
I’ve watched people fight for their right to be stupid, argue pointless points, and win nothing with the exception of loss on a catastrophic scale, destroying the future of how many? Fiduciary duty as CEOs requires us to lead, teach and inspire.
How can I possibly set people straight in the heat of an argument, when I’m as guilty as the idiot in front of me? It’s tough. And then what about living life that way? When is it mine to give and take the peace of mind of individuals?
Psalm 32:9 Do not be like the horse or like the mule, Which have no understanding, Which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, Else they will not come near you.
What about when people are clearly wrong? Justified Resentment is a boat anchor, tied and caught up in the rocks. “You did me wrong, I gotta right to be mad.” All bad, all the time.
Ephesians 4:31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.
Hard to conceive of leaving people with their dignity, especially unruly clients, ungrateful employees, self-righteous family members, all of us — and our short comings. I’m going to give you a reason to change your heart, and thusly your presentation, in the heat of an unruly exchange. It cannot be done without first doing the biblical classroom of improving the walk with Christ. Certainly that has been challenging for me and yet, what needs to be done, is something I don’t want to live without. Let’s get into it.
Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 [a]Because narrow is the gate and [b]difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
Chapter 26 goes much better when we know what comes with God. Your business people, ‘love to talk about ROI, return on investment. Well, what do I get by entering the narrow gate here in Matthew 7? How does that pertain to leaving people with their dignity? First, you gotta find the narrow gate, scripture says few find it, scary. For purpose of this chapter, let’s just say you found it. Now what?
First, upon entering the narrow gate, I gain forgiveness, complete pardon for every sin, removal of all guilt, reconciliation with the Holy God. Jesus said, “Whoever comes to me, I will never cast out.” John 6:37, whoever comes in repentance and faith.
Second, I gain a new identity. No longer defined by past failures, present struggles or family background. Paul stated, “therefore in anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away, behold the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17. My identity is now rooted in Christ’s righteousness, not performance.
Third, I gain purpose. Life is no longer the meaningless pursuit of temporary pleasures that never satisfy. Jesus said, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10. Abundant life is not measured by possessions or comfort, but by knowing God, serving His purposes, and storing treasure in Heaven.
Fourth, you gain the Holy Spirit dwelling within you. Jesus promised, “I will ask the Father and He will give you another helper to be with you forever, even the spirit of truth.” John 14:16-17. The same power that raised Christ from the dead lives in every believer, enabling obedience that would be impossible in human strength.
Fifth, you gain eternal life. Not merely existence that never ends, but relationship with God that begins now and continues forever. Jesus prayed, “and this is eternal life that they know you, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” John 17:3.
What do I have to do? Give me up entirely. Charles Spurgeon concluded, the narrow gate costs everything but gives infinitely more. You surrender the worthless trinkets of sin and self and you receive the priceless treasure of Christ himself. You lose your life, the life that was already lost in sin. What you gain is life that is truly life. The narrow way is hard, but it leads to life, it is the only way to life. The broad road is easy, but it leads to destruction. Choose wisely.
Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;
There are two doors figuratively speaking, both say “leads to Heaven,” one lies, it leads to hell. But it doesn’t say hell, does it? It says Heaven, both of them do. Again, choose wisely.
Matthew 7:13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
There is no way I can tell you how to handle each situation. Self deception is the easiest thing in the world. Jesus warned that many will be shocked on judgement day to discover they were never truly His.
Matthew 7:23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
Hard stuff. How can I leave people with their dignity if I truly do not have mine. How do I know with certainty that I’ve entered the narrow gate?
First marker, growing hatred of my own sin. Not just discomfort with consequences or fear of getting caught, but genuine hatred of the sin itself because it offends the God I love. David prayed after his adultery. “Against you, you only have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight.” Psalm 51:4. The person on the narrow way doesn’t make peace with sin. He makes war against it daily. As I quote Charles Spurgeon, “The believer is not sinless, but he sins less. And when he does sin, it breaks his heart because it grieves the Savior who died for him. “The counterfeit Christian sins and shrugs the genuine Christian sins and mourns.”
The second marker, increasing love for God’s word. Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4. Scripture is not religious duty but spiritual oxygen. You hunger for it, delight in it, obey it. The psalmist declared, “Oh, how I love your law. It is my meditation all the day.” Psalm 119:97.
Third marker, demonstrate obedience even when it’s costly. Jesus declared, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” John 14:15 Not selective obedience in comfortable areas, but wholehearted obedience even when it costs you money, reputation, relationships, or comfort. Spurgeon warned, “Obedience that stops when it becomes expensive, is not obedience at all, it’s self-interest wearing a religious disguise.”
Fourth marker, showing sacrificial love for other believers. Jesus said, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another.” John 13:35. Not sentimental feelings, but practical costly service. John wrote, “But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?” 1 John 3::17.
Fifth marker, you persevere through trials and suffering. Jesus warned, “In the world, you will have tribulation.” John 16:33. “The narrow way includes suffering, opposition, persecution.” False faith abandons Christ when discipleship becomes difficult. Genuine faith clings to Christ, especially when the circumstances are hard.
Peter wrote, “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials.” 1 Peter 1:6.
Sixth marker, bearing physical, spiritual fruit. Jesus declared, “Every healthy tree bears good fruit” Matthew 7:17 Fruit includes both character transformation, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and evangelistic fruitfulness as you share the gospel with others. Fruitless Christianity is false Christianity.
Spurgeon’s diagnostic question was simple and devastating. Has your christianity actually changed anything about how you live? If following Jesus has done nothing or changed nothing, transformed nothing, you haven’t entered the narrow gate. You’ve merely decorated your life with religious vocabulary. These markers don’t create salvation, they confirm it.
As you can see remaining neutral is impossible. By knowing these things, it is possible to curb my enthusiasm against judgement on others. Listen to people, identify with them and re-direct their efforts in a Godly manner. Get them back to work, the work the Lord has given. Hard to do, scripture is clear and hard.
Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Romans 12:18, If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Nearly impossible without God, nearly impossible with God.
Chapter 26, Leaving People with Their Dignity 2025. Don’t say too much, don’t co-sign bad behavior, rely on the spirit to know what exactly to say, remember what is said by the scriptures of the Narrow Gate, read them over and over to be ready when a fierce engagement comes to pass. There was an old song in the late 70’s, ‘the gambler.” It had a great lyric that applies here.
You’ve got to know when to hold ’em
Know when to fold ’em
Know when to walk away
And know when to run
You never count your money
When you’re sittin’ at the table
There’ll be time enough for countin’
When the dealin’s done..
When I make my coffee in the morning, I put a certain amount of cream in it, however if there’s just a little bit left in the creamer carton, I’m tempted to pour that little bit extra into the coffee so I can throw away the carton. I risk ruining the coffee. For me, it’s like negotiating, when I’ve said enough, I’ve said enough and the yield will have its best advantage. To add anymore words risks the entire endeavor. Thus, a little tiny bit of cream, left in the carton, goes back into the refrigerator for safe keeping and the coffee remains perfect.., common sense, but as we know, sense is not so common, and stupid generally prevails, very expensive. Leave People with Their Dignity, Chapter 26, 2025. Amen.
