Have you ever received a backhanded compliment? Just beneath the veneer of a compliment lies a stinging insult. It may not register at first, but then you feel the pain.
“Congratulations, I didn’t expect you to get the job!”
“You are so independent; it’s no surprise you haven’t found anyone yet.”
“You really look nice on Instagram.”
“I wish I could be as relaxed as you about all the clutter in the house.”
Ouch.
Several sentences spoken about churches today seem to be affirming on the surface, but they have a negative connotation. I try to give the person articulating these sentences the benefit of the doubt by calling them well-intending.
But they may not be well-intending at all.
Keep reading this article on BiblicalLeadership.com.