It’s ironic that the world excessively values having a fashionable wardrobe, but yet continually cares less about the character underneath those costumes designed to match the masks people wear for their occasions. If that wasn’t true, job applicants wouldn’t be required to wear the right clothes for an interview; singles going out on a date wouldn’t feel under pressure to dress a particular way; students wouldn’t be so concerned over how they look in class; and social gatherings wouldn’t be like a show ring filled with contestants under the watchful eye of judges.
The gap between what’s visible on the outside versus what’s going on invisibly on the inside continues to spread further apart. That’s logical considering the way that neurotypical minds work, since logic is a relatively rare commodity among that populace. NTs have other fine qualities. For example, the gift of small talk they so much need for their own culture.
As importance shifts more towards impressing people (i.e., acting the role well), the focus on reality diminishes. It has to. You can’t have two opposites at the same time. The consequence of aiming for both ends up with the actors (i.e., those who are spiritually ‘naked’, especially the NTs who demand roles be played according to the rules of the game) behaving irrational. It’s what in mathematics is called, ‘fractions’. Instead of people being whole integers, they split and become double-minded. The result is ‘double-talk’ — s/he wants to look like s/he is a ‘good’ person (even to her/him self), but yet also wants all that can be had from this world and the people in it.
Integrity means a whole person — one who is complete and undivided. This world demands dishonesty. Those who are going to conform to it cannot have integrity.
When one’s heart divides, it doesn’t matter what clothes or masks you wear because underneath that exterior is someone who is entering into a state of dis-ease; stress, if you will. This makes therapists and pharmaceutical companies very happy, along with many other large organizations and governmental agencies.
Those who are the most insane are the least able to realize it, especially when there are so many other people who think and behave just like them. They are too confused and scared to be able to accept reality when it’s right there in front of their face. So what does one like that do when in such a corner?
They’re desperate to get rid of those who might expose their perception of reality. To be exposed for who you really are in society would be more horrible than being forcefully stripped of all your clothing in a public place (at least if your body isn’t anywhere near being poster material). Watch out for the anger of someone shamed (a lack of shame is mega-insanity). It’s no wonder that’s not socially acceptable according to NT standards these days, especially with all the talk about self-esteem.
When will people learn to get over self? After all, we’re all in the same boat. No one is ‘good’ no matter how much s/he thinks s/he is. The reason someone may be able to delude himself into that deception is because he is comparing himself against the others around him which he chooses to use for his yard stick.
On the flip side, one can depress himself by measuring himself against the wrong standard. Either way, self-magnification is self-destruction. That’s why we are warned not to esteem ourselves more highly than we ought.
Romans 12:3,
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
Check out the chart that shows The Biblical View of Self Esteem: Versus the Extreme “Wrong” & the Extreme “Right.” It’s quite an eye-opener in contrast to what’s being taught today.
Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less. All are born with pride (self-important and self-centered), but NTs seem to strive for concentrating thoughts upon self. That’s why they say we Aspies suffer with Aspergers — they are projecting themselves into us, but without any ability to know that if (and/or when) we suffer, it’s NOT from Aspergers, but because of what NTs demand from us.¹
Even as babies, NTs are naturally drawn to mirrors. Aspie babies have little to no interest in seeing themselves in a mirror. As they grow older, the only reason Aspies get particular about what is put on them to wear is because of being more sensitive to textures and smells. As long as clothing does its job of keeping an Aspie warm and cozy, what someone else thinks about how they look is of little relevance.
NTs, especially women, choose clothing for totally different reasons. Men have not been as insensible as women, generally speaking. Women squeeze their feet into pointy shoes with spikes under their heels… hoping to give the impression of longer legs. They spray their hair with smelly chemicals… hoping to keep every hair in place. They wear wired bras that cut off the circulation around their rib cage; thereby increasing the risk of breast cancer. God only knows what effect the chemicals from perfume have upon the brain. Add make-up, heavy shoulder bags, etc. It doesn’t just tax the body, it empties the wallet.
How about clothing that stays on the skin? The poison from the ink of tattoos seeps slowly into the body over time. Then there is the clothing shoved under the skin. Breast implants and collagen injections. For what? Better health? I don’t think so. Oh, those poor souls who go to battle the daily world without God’s armor…
What to wear? Well, that depends on where you’re going.
If you’re not interested in God’s Kingdom, then you’ll think today’s fashions are what everyone must wear to fit in. I, for one, DO NOT WANT to ‘fit’ into such a warped society. I’d rather clean toilets than be a rocket scientist (even if I had the education to match the required IQ). I have no difficulty to sing while doing menial labor, because I’d rather be real than fake for any amount of money. To play the game this world expects isn’t much unlike being kidnapped and held against your will for ransom money. The kidnapper’s slogan today is, “What will people think of me?”
If the Kingdom of God appears the better choice, then put on the whole armour of God. You’ll find the attire described in Ephesians 6:10-18,
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance² and supplication for all saints;
Aspies are like the two slices of bread that make up a NT sandwich. Aspies, without the armour of God, are vulnerable to being bullied by NTs in society. Aspies, who wear the armour of God, cannot be bullied by anyone.
NTs are in the middle. If they are without the armour of God, they’re at the mercy of society’s latest demands. If they wear God’s armour, then they can escape peer pressure… but having the ‘pack’ nature they do, will leave them tempted in that area.
Here is an example of escaping the destructive effect bullies aim to achieve:
I’ve always received more than my fair share of criticism from others when being talked down to. I’m now thankful for that. If what’s said is true, then I’m improved by hearing it. If it’s not true, then I receive practice at keeping people small and God big.
The bonus to having a regular supply of criticism is that it protects my head from swelling when I do get praise. Glory belongs to God. He is the source of every good gift.
Here is how to find relief from all pressure:
Matthew 6:28,
And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
Matthew 6:33,
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
¹Wearing God’s armour has those fiery darts bounce right off us, often times tickling as they do. I’ve had many laughs over how nutty NTs can get once their shell has been cracked open and they expose themselves without realizing it.
²Hey…Aspies are a natural at the art of perseverating!
