I've often watched principled people drive others away because of their difficult attitudes. Sometimes those with the highest standards are downright unlikable. They make everyone despise what they stand for, because they are so boring or so pompous or so completely out of touch.

I believe that the cause of good is most often harmed by well-intentioned people who express good badly. Don't agree? What about the Crusades? The Spanish Inquisition? The cheese Nazis at church potluck?

It doesn't matter how great your health message if people cringe when you walk their way.

It doesn't matter if you have news about Sabbath rest if people think you are mean, or arrogant, or untrustworthy, or a gossip.

I may not always succeed, but I want to always be known as a person of rigid principle who is still lovable. Not one who discredits my principles by my attitude.

And that doesn't mean it's okay to abandon my standards. Just keep them kindly.

Despite arguments to the contrary, I believe that having good principles with a bad attitude is NOT better than having none. I've often heard excuses made for bad behavior. "At least they're doing the right thing...."

But doing good while driving others away isn't excusable! In fact, it's reprehensible. It makes good things, good principles, hateful to onlookers.

That's worse than having no principles at all!

© Sarah K. Asaftei, 2009 unless otherwise sourced. Use allowed by express written permission only.

(Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone.)