July 14th, 2025
by Dianna Jobe
by Dianna Jobe
The Hidden Danger of Enabling: A Call to Spiritual Accountability
In our journey of faith, we often encounter situations that challenge our understanding of love, support, and spiritual growth. One such challenge is the subtle yet destructive practice of enabling. While it may masquerade as compassion or support, enabling can actually hinder spiritual growth and perpetuate harmful behaviors.
The spirit of enabling is a deceptive force that can infiltrate our relationships, families, and even our churches. It often stems from a place of fear, insecurity, or a misguided desire to avoid conflict. However, this approach can lead to dire consequences, both spiritually and practically.
Consider the biblical story of Eli and his sons in 1 Samuel 2. Eli, a priest, failed to properly confront and correct his sons' blatant disrespect for God's sacrifices and their immoral behavior. His passive approach to their sins ultimately led to judgment not only on his sons but on Eli himself. This serves as a stark reminder that our reluctance to address issues head-on can have far-reaching consequences.
The enabler often manages problems rather than addressing their root causes. They may appease, avoid conflict, or procrastinate in addressing sin or failure. This approach, while seemingly peaceful in the short term, only serves to "kick the can down the road," allowing issues to fester and grow more severe over time.
Ironically, the desire to avoid discomfort often leads to greater conflict, strife, and increasingly uncomfortable situations. By refusing to confront issues directly, we may actually be partnering with destructive spiritual forces that seek to undermine growth and healing in ourselves and others.
The prophet Amos faced rejection when he brought a challenging word to Israel. Despite the resistance he encountered, he remained faithful to delivering God's message of repentance. This exemplifies the courage required to speak truth, even when it's uncomfortable or unwelcome.
In Galatians 2, we see another powerful example of necessary confrontation. Paul openly rebuked Peter for his hypocritical behavior regarding eating with Gentiles. This confrontation was not done out of malice, but out of a genuine concern for the integrity of the gospel message and the unity of the church.
These biblical examples highlight an important truth: true love sometimes requires difficult conversations and actions. The grace of God, as described in Titus 2:11-14, not only brings salvation but also trains us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions. It empowers us to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives.
Enabling behavior often stems from our own unresolved pain, fear, or insecurities. We may avoid setting boundaries or speaking truth out of fear of losing affection or pushing others away. However, this approach ultimately prolongs dysfunction and prevents both the enabler and the enabled from experiencing the growth and freedom God desires for them.
The fear of man is a snare that can lead us to compromise truth and live apart from God's intended purpose. Proverbs 29:25 warns us, "The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe." When we prioritize human approval over God's will, we risk becoming stumbling blocks to others and hindering their spiritual growth.
Jesus himself took great delight in the fear of the Lord, as prophesied in Isaiah 11:1-3. This holy reverence for God should guide our interactions with others, leading us to speak truth in love and confront issues that hinder spiritual growth.
It's crucial to recognize that enabling doesn't just affect our relationships with others; we can also enable destructive behaviors in ourselves. Self-examination is vital. We must be willing to look honestly at our own hearts, admitting areas where we've justified sin or avoided necessary change.
The apostle Paul, in 2 Corinthians 7:8-9, speaks of writing a letter that caused sorrow but ultimately led to repentance. This illustrates that sometimes, the path to healing and growth involves temporary discomfort or pain. Our goal should not be to avoid all conflict or discomfort, but to pursue truth and holiness, even when it's challenging.
Breaking free from enabling behaviors requires courage, humility, and a willingness to trust God's process of sanctification. It involves dying to our flesh—our desire for comfort, approval, or control—and embracing the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.
As we confront enabling in our lives, we must remember that repentance alone is not enough. True change comes through action—having those difficult conversations, setting healthy boundaries, and allowing others to experience the natural consequences of their choices.
The body of Christ is called to maturity, to be a bride that makes herself ready. This preparation involves cleansing, purification, and a willingness to address the areas in our lives that don't align with God's character and will.
Let us challenge ourselves to examine our hearts and relationships. Are there areas where we've been enabling destructive behaviors, either in ourselves or others? Have we avoided necessary confrontations out of fear or misguided compassion?
It's time to invite God's light to shine on these hidden areas. Let's pray for the courage to speak truth in love, the wisdom to set healthy boundaries, and the grace to walk alongside others in their journey of growth and healing.
Remember, God is not an enabler. His love for us is perfect, and it includes conviction of sin and a call to holiness. As we align ourselves with His heart, we'll find the strength to break free from enabling patterns and embrace the fullness of life He intends for us and those around us.
May we be a people who love boldly, speak truthfully, and walk in the freedom that comes from living in alignment with God's truth. As we do, we'll not only experience personal transformation but also become catalysts for genuine growth and healing in the body of Christ.
(This blog post was created from Dianna Jobe's original sermon using pulpit.ai)
In our journey of faith, we often encounter situations that challenge our understanding of love, support, and spiritual growth. One such challenge is the subtle yet destructive practice of enabling. While it may masquerade as compassion or support, enabling can actually hinder spiritual growth and perpetuate harmful behaviors.
The spirit of enabling is a deceptive force that can infiltrate our relationships, families, and even our churches. It often stems from a place of fear, insecurity, or a misguided desire to avoid conflict. However, this approach can lead to dire consequences, both spiritually and practically.
Consider the biblical story of Eli and his sons in 1 Samuel 2. Eli, a priest, failed to properly confront and correct his sons' blatant disrespect for God's sacrifices and their immoral behavior. His passive approach to their sins ultimately led to judgment not only on his sons but on Eli himself. This serves as a stark reminder that our reluctance to address issues head-on can have far-reaching consequences.
The enabler often manages problems rather than addressing their root causes. They may appease, avoid conflict, or procrastinate in addressing sin or failure. This approach, while seemingly peaceful in the short term, only serves to "kick the can down the road," allowing issues to fester and grow more severe over time.
Ironically, the desire to avoid discomfort often leads to greater conflict, strife, and increasingly uncomfortable situations. By refusing to confront issues directly, we may actually be partnering with destructive spiritual forces that seek to undermine growth and healing in ourselves and others.
The prophet Amos faced rejection when he brought a challenging word to Israel. Despite the resistance he encountered, he remained faithful to delivering God's message of repentance. This exemplifies the courage required to speak truth, even when it's uncomfortable or unwelcome.
In Galatians 2, we see another powerful example of necessary confrontation. Paul openly rebuked Peter for his hypocritical behavior regarding eating with Gentiles. This confrontation was not done out of malice, but out of a genuine concern for the integrity of the gospel message and the unity of the church.
These biblical examples highlight an important truth: true love sometimes requires difficult conversations and actions. The grace of God, as described in Titus 2:11-14, not only brings salvation but also trains us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions. It empowers us to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives.
Enabling behavior often stems from our own unresolved pain, fear, or insecurities. We may avoid setting boundaries or speaking truth out of fear of losing affection or pushing others away. However, this approach ultimately prolongs dysfunction and prevents both the enabler and the enabled from experiencing the growth and freedom God desires for them.
The fear of man is a snare that can lead us to compromise truth and live apart from God's intended purpose. Proverbs 29:25 warns us, "The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe." When we prioritize human approval over God's will, we risk becoming stumbling blocks to others and hindering their spiritual growth.
Jesus himself took great delight in the fear of the Lord, as prophesied in Isaiah 11:1-3. This holy reverence for God should guide our interactions with others, leading us to speak truth in love and confront issues that hinder spiritual growth.
It's crucial to recognize that enabling doesn't just affect our relationships with others; we can also enable destructive behaviors in ourselves. Self-examination is vital. We must be willing to look honestly at our own hearts, admitting areas where we've justified sin or avoided necessary change.
The apostle Paul, in 2 Corinthians 7:8-9, speaks of writing a letter that caused sorrow but ultimately led to repentance. This illustrates that sometimes, the path to healing and growth involves temporary discomfort or pain. Our goal should not be to avoid all conflict or discomfort, but to pursue truth and holiness, even when it's challenging.
Breaking free from enabling behaviors requires courage, humility, and a willingness to trust God's process of sanctification. It involves dying to our flesh—our desire for comfort, approval, or control—and embracing the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.
As we confront enabling in our lives, we must remember that repentance alone is not enough. True change comes through action—having those difficult conversations, setting healthy boundaries, and allowing others to experience the natural consequences of their choices.
The body of Christ is called to maturity, to be a bride that makes herself ready. This preparation involves cleansing, purification, and a willingness to address the areas in our lives that don't align with God's character and will.
Let us challenge ourselves to examine our hearts and relationships. Are there areas where we've been enabling destructive behaviors, either in ourselves or others? Have we avoided necessary confrontations out of fear or misguided compassion?
It's time to invite God's light to shine on these hidden areas. Let's pray for the courage to speak truth in love, the wisdom to set healthy boundaries, and the grace to walk alongside others in their journey of growth and healing.
Remember, God is not an enabler. His love for us is perfect, and it includes conviction of sin and a call to holiness. As we align ourselves with His heart, we'll find the strength to break free from enabling patterns and embrace the fullness of life He intends for us and those around us.
May we be a people who love boldly, speak truthfully, and walk in the freedom that comes from living in alignment with God's truth. As we do, we'll not only experience personal transformation but also become catalysts for genuine growth and healing in the body of Christ.
(This blog post was created from Dianna Jobe's original sermon using pulpit.ai)
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