QUESTIONING MOTIVES AND JUDGING
OTHERS-Part Two
Being judged by others
When we are writing these nuggets each week, we are making an assumption that
the readers are Christians and are committed to growing in Christ.
In the last nugget we described ways that we may judge or question the sincerity of other Christians (or the unsaved) because of the sins in their life, the way they dress, their behavior, etc.. We stated that some might even be harsher on those they know because they have seen the same behaviors repeated over and over again.
In this nugget we want to address those who have felt judged by other Christians, their relationship with God has been questioned, or their motives have been under suspicion by other Christians. We are specifically talking about those who are aware there is something(s) in their life and they are working on being set free, but there are Christians in their life that think they have all the solutions. Statements are made to them like, "your in rebellion", "you need to trust God more", "you need to just submit", "real Christians do or don't...", "you are in a pity party", "if you would pray about it". Notice all the "you" instead of "I" statements. What is interesting is the words that are spoken are the same ones that the enemy of our souls throws at us. If you read the Book of Job you see his friends are determined they know what is wrong with Job. And they have the solution. The sad part is that in some ways they had some great advice and wisdom. But their application of it was wrong. In fact, sinful. It was sinful because they were judging and questioning the motives of Job. This is God's work alone:
1 Cor 4:5
[5] Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men's hearts; and then each man's praise will come to him from God."
Job's friends did not understand grace and mercy.
It seems at times the most hurtful comments are from brothers and sisters in the Lord. I think one of the reasons they are so hurtful is because we do not expect the hurtful words to come from those who are believers. We are expecting grace, mercy, godly counsel, and understanding; instead we receive judgment and condemnation. Instead of being asked about what God is doing in our lives, we are told what He is doing in our lives.
Are you currently struggling with a personality flaw-too aggressive, too passive, perfectionist, lazy, etc.? Or maybe it is an addiction. Or a bad habit that the Lord has shown you the bad habit has become sin. Maybe it is that "sin that so easily entangles you" spoken of in
Hebrews 12:1
"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,".
I want you to know that God loves you, His mercy and grace are bigger than any problem, and He has a way out for you. Seek friends who encourage you in your walk. And who also challenge you to grow in Christ and sometimes give you 'tough love'.
In the next nugget, we will talk about how to minister to someone who is struggling with sin. And in the last nugget of this series we will discuss the issue of godly discipline and at times the need for strong, direct, corrective words to those who are bound up in sin. Please remember we believe in the call to holiness, but also believe God's love covers a multitude of sin.
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Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations used are from the New American Standard Version (NASB).