S(3 John 11) Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.
O
The Holy Spirit developed within John a mastery of simple, strong communication, as this summary verse demonstrates. We all mimic. We all imitate others. Otherwise (quite literally, as neurologists tell us), our brains would not form or function. The issue John presented wasn't whether to mimic, but whom. No human idea is really new (Eccl. 1:9): creativity is merely a redressing and personalizing what we've seen and followed. We long to transform, to possess improvements, but to stay within the structure of what is safely familiar. Longing for resurrection is hardwired in us.
A (Personal)
John revealed that anyone who has seen, touched, and discovered God aches to mimic Him--to become truly good. For that reason, God reminds us (2 Thessalonians 3:7,9; Hebrews 13:7) to thoughtfully observe the people we're following. I need to objectively evaluate the people who are on the same path I've chosen but who are simply farther along.
A (Psychological)
In addition to the obvious parallels in developmental and contextual models of human development, this verse suggests interventions from several other models. Nila Epstein, while supervising me, has recommended that I ask some clients (teenage boys) who their heroes have been. By identifying their favorite characters in movies or books or history, people are able to understand the reasons behind their choices. We a naturally imitators, but we don't easily admit or recognize that. Play therapists recognize that play resolves the incongruencies of our circumstances. Similarly, while sleeping our brains "translate ... expectations into dream scenarios...and metaphorically act them out" (J. Griffin, I Tyrrell, Family Therapy Magazine, Nov-Dec. 2008, pp 26-30). Narrative Therapy, while exploring dominant and alternative stories of our lives.
In addition to the obvious parallels in developmental and contextual models of human development, this verse suggests interventions from several other models. Nila Epstein, while supervising me, has recommended that I ask some clients (teenage boys) who their heroes have been. By identifying their favorite characters in movies or books or history, people are able to understand the reasons behind their choices. We a naturally imitators, but we don't easily admit or recognize that. Play therapists recognize that play resolves the incongruencies of our circumstances. Similarly, while sleeping our brains "translate ... expectations into dream scenarios...and metaphorically act them out" (J. Griffin, I Tyrrell, Family Therapy Magazine, Nov-Dec. 2008, pp 26-30). Narrative Therapy, while exploring dominant and alternative stories of our lives.
P
Lord, give me boldness. I need that if I'm going to be honest about my life and my direction, if I'm going to believe Your Word. I understand that no person is perfect, so I need You to heal my eyes so that I can see Your hand and Your heart at work in the people I'm imitating, even though it's in my own style. Please unclog my ears so I discern Your leadership above distracters.
Lord, give me boldness. I need that if I'm going to be honest about my life and my direction, if I'm going to believe Your Word. I understand that no person is perfect, so I need You to heal my eyes so that I can see Your hand and Your heart at work in the people I'm imitating, even though it's in my own style. Please unclog my ears so I discern Your leadership above distracters.
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