Sincerity

[JojoBag]

I've been trying to help my son through an addiction.  One of the things I've tried to get him to understand is how to demonstrate sincerity so that the Lord can bless him for his efforts.  I've tried to explain that half hearted efforts, only telling part of the truth, lack of accountability, etc. do not demonstrate sincerity. 

 

What are other examples on how to demonstrate sincerity?

[Just_A_Guy]

"Sincerity" isn't one of the twelve steps, but honesty is. IMHO, once we've got that step down "sincerity" should fall into place--because he wants the recovery and is willing to pay the price.

Edited October 25, 2015 by Just_A_Guy

[erog84]

I was actually thinking about this the other day due to a similar situation.  I think most people don't really portray their true self, they are always acting/portraying in a way that looks better to people but inside they aren't that same person.  Sometimes it's really simple, understandable things, but sometimes that person has convinced themselves this is who they really are.  So when it comes to being honest, that person thinks they are being sincere, but deep down inside is who they really are.  And you can't change fundamentally who you are in my opinion until you are honest with yourself.

[omegaseamaster75]

I was actually thinking about this the other day due to a similar situation.  I think most people don't really portray their true self, they are always acting/portraying in a way that looks better to people but inside they aren't that same person.  Sometimes it's really simple, understandable things, but sometimes that person has convinced themselves this is who they really are.  So when it comes to being honest, that person thinks they are being sincere, but deep down inside is who they really are.  And you can't change fundamentally who you are in my opinion until you are honest with yourself.

Sounds like pretty much everyone I go to church with.

[Guest]

Sounds like pretty much everyone I go to church with.

Does that include you?

 

I don't see anything wrong with "Acting as if." Or "Fake it till you make it."  This is a bonafide method for self-improvement.  

 

Obviously, there can be an incorrect application of this where it is nothing more than duplicity.

[Vort]

I was actually thinking about this the other day due to a similar situation.  I think most people don't really portray their true self, they are always acting/portraying in a way that looks better to people but inside they aren't that same person.  Sometimes it's really simple, understandable things, but sometimes that person has convinced themselves this is who they really are.  So when it comes to being honest, that person thinks they are being sincere, but deep down inside is who they really are.  And you can't change fundamentally who you are in my opinion until you are honest with yourself.

 

Which is your "true self"? The sacrificng one who loves others, or the selfish one who ignores his commitments? Why should one (especially the negative one) be considered somehow more "real" or "authentic" than the other?

 

An Indian chief told a brave, "There are two wolves within you striving for mastery. One is hate, greed, and selfishness, and the other is love, generosity, and kindness." The brave asked him, "Which will win?" The chief responded, "The one you feed." This little story may be trite and silly, but I think it illustrates a true principle.

[erog84]

Which is your "true self"? The sacrificng one who loves others, or the selfish one who ignores his commitments? Why should one (especially the negative one) be considered somehow more "real" or "authentic" than the other?

 

An Indian chief told a brave, "There are two wolves within you striving for mastery. One is hate, greed, and selfishness, and the other is love, generosity, and kindness." The brave asked him, "Which will win?" The chief responded, "The one you feed." This little story may be trite and silly, but I think it illustrates a true principle.

Example:  I do service for others, good right?  But perhaps I am only doing it so people think I am a good guy, and my true self cares more about how people view me, than actually helping others. 

 

No one is perfect, we all have parts of us that may beselfish and another part that is selfless, etc.  In today's society its normal to be fake, EVERYONE does it to some degree whether intentionally or not.  I understand that, but at some point the fakeness is on purpose, and I think we can fake even ourselves out to think we are one way, but when push comes to shove, the real us comes out.

 

The point I am trying to make (probably not very well), is that someone may really think they want to get over an addiction, they have convinced themselves that they really do want to overcome this addiction.  But deep down inside that may not be true at all, and you won't truly overcome it until you come to terms with what you truly want, and change that.