I have had a bitter reminder today of why it is so important to walk in truth and LIGHT and let my conversation reflect that walk. 
How can we encourage one another when we are so busy judging one another? I am not talking about exposing what the Bible calls sin...I'm talking about the doubtful issues ie.. who agrees with birth control or not, who is breast feeding or not, who has the most ministries AND homeschools, and uses whole foods, etc...not that those are not good things or that I don't enjoy some of those things- but to make it an issue of righteousness..Oh DEAR, ...how things have been distorted and used to MAIM the ministry we have to our sisters in Christ!
Galatians 5:13,14 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only [use] not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, [even] in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
How can we encourage one another when we are so busy judging one another? I am not talking about exposing what the Bible calls sin...I'm talking about the doubtful issues ie.. who agrees with birth control or not, who is breast feeding or not, who has the most ministries AND homeschools, and uses whole foods, etc...not that those are not good things or that I don't enjoy some of those things- but to make it an issue of righteousness..Oh DEAR, ...how things have been distorted and used to MAIM the ministry we have to our sisters in Christ!Galatians 5:13,14 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only [use] not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, [even] in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Are we truly exhorting one another or holding one another to some non Biblical standard that we have set so that we always come out on top? How many haughty looks have I given?...even if only in my mind...oh, the damage...the destruction, owed to pride. I am weary of it...on both sides I can be found a player in this destructive game in which no one wins...are you weary? Do you know of someone TODAY that you can encourage? PLEASE pick up the phone do it today...YES, that person that you just thought of as you read that, (before you even finish reading this poorly written post) they NEED your prayers and love.
When discipling or giving counsel as Christian women...we ((I)) need to remember that the Lord knows our hearts and motives. Too often we are confusing and placing stumbling blocks before Christians instead of allowing the Holy Spirit to do His work. The LOVE is missing...true Christian LOVE. Oh, my heart is broken for some dear friends. The devastating shambles I have witnessed of more than a few disillusioned Saints is more than my heart can bare. I pray that the Lord searches and tries my heart that I may not be one that contributes to the oppression and confusion of a sister Saint. Walk in His Light my friends and shake off the weights that distort His Word. Any distortion at all is dangerous...like an infection....purge me Oh Lord of any self-righteous pride...any belief that is apart from YOU.
When discipling or giving counsel as Christian women...we ((I)) need to remember that the Lord knows our hearts and motives. Too often we are confusing and placing stumbling blocks before Christians instead of allowing the Holy Spirit to do His work. The LOVE is missing...true Christian LOVE. Oh, my heart is broken for some dear friends. The devastating shambles I have witnessed of more than a few disillusioned Saints is more than my heart can bare. I pray that the Lord searches and tries my heart that I may not be one that contributes to the oppression and confusion of a sister Saint. Walk in His Light my friends and shake off the weights that distort His Word. Any distortion at all is dangerous...like an infection....purge me Oh Lord of any self-righteous pride...any belief that is apart from YOU.
Gal 5:18, But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
I cannot even know my own deep thoughts....Lord keep my heart and my tongue.
Psalm 139:1 O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
Psalm 139:1 O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
edited to say that this post is NOT about some falling out or issue in my church...this is just something that I am seeing more and more of in the real live world and cyber world....and it is really a very scary thing
9 comments:
How sad to hear of the discord among the brethren. I too pray that the Lord reveals to me my own pride and judgmental spirit before it hurts my brothers or sisters in Christ.
I would love to call the one I am thinking of......are you home? ;)
:)Awww you are so sweet...we JUST got home from AWANAs..it is 9:30. I'm gonna get these kiddies off to bed!
Heather,
Amen..amen..amen....
This is so true..so so true...
and I pray that the Lord will show me areas in my life that I too could or have become so haughty or judgmental...stupid NON-mattering areas...when I look back..STUPID me....if the enemy helps us get our eyes on others..instead of the Lord and our own hearts..he(the enemy) thinks he is winning..NOT ...VICTORY in JESUS...and repentance is a prayer away...a great post..
Deby
This was one of the BEST posts I've ever read on this subject. I could not have written it as well as you did--but you expressed my heart if I could. There is *so* much I could say about this--having been on BOTH sides--the one who judged and the one who was being judged. I think I feel a blog post coming on! : )
The Lord has been working in my life for the past few years, drawing my weary heart out of this "game" we so often play. You summed up what I've tried to say (or type :)) many a time, and usually fail to say clearly. God is so good to show us the ugliness of such a devastating heart-habit... may He coninue to grow us all and teach us how to love as He does!
Amen, well put. I look forward to seeing what kind of other post you have generated with this.
Amen Heather!! I find my self on both sides of this "game" all too often. Great post!
Great post. So true. I too, have found myself on both sides of the game. UGH! God is so faithful. I am so thankful for the Holy Spirit at work in our lives.
I just happened upon your blog today and feel I must echo the *amen* of so many women before me. I have been on both sides of this issue, hurt by judgements/legalism, and grieving the Holy spirit with my judgements of others. As I grow older I am learning to judge less, and to find my worth in the Lord's eyes and not man's. It is not easy, and I often fail, but the failures come fewer and farther between. Praise God for His faithfulness, patience and mercy. Thank you for such a wonderful post ... I am sure I will be returning in the near future.
Blessings ~ TuscanLady
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