Who Do We Think We Are??

Note: this may appear harsh for some…it is not meant to be…if you find yourself getting your feathers ruffled it is probably meant for you!

I have a Christian friend who just dealt with some harsh criticism and judgment from “other Christians.” I find it astonishing some of the things I read in the comments of her blog. I mean, honestly, WHO do we think we are??

This is not the first time I have seen this. I have dealt with it myself over the past year…a couple times. I have seen it around me in Christian circles as well. Again, WHO do we think we are?

I see many Christians walking around on their judgmental high horses and think they know it all. Thinking they have the right to “correct” anyone who does not agree with them or their interpretation of the Word. Please do not get me wrong, YES, we SHOULD correct lovingly WHEN NEEDED! However, I get the feeling, and have seen it personally, that we as a Body have gotten off track. We have become self appointed judges.

We have NO right or authority to go around looking for those who are “not in the light.” We have no right to speak about them, blog about them, judge them, or accuse them. WHO ARE WE to do ANY of that! My dear sisters, that is God’s job and HIS ONLY!

Our job is…

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. – Ephesians 4:1-3

There was NO humility in what I have seen…only self righteousness.

There was NO gentleness…only harshness.

There was NO patience…only rudeness.

There was NO bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace….only judgmentalism.

Jesus answered, “Even if I do bear witness about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me. – John 8:14-16

God is the ONLY judge. We need to be very careful when we dole out our judgment and correction. We should NEVER respond out of our flesh…even it if SEEMS right at the moment. WHEN we correct it MUST be done AFTER MUCH prayer…more prayer…and SEEKING OUTSIDE counsel from another party who is MORE spiritually grown up than you. And, STILL, we must pray and KNOW what we are talking about. ALL sides thoroughly. Period.

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. – Romans 12:10

When we judge and get angry with others are we doing that?? What if the person we are correcting is ignorant to that area and we come at them with harshness? Do you really think THAT will change them? No. It will only anger them and ruin any chance of helping them.

What if someone who does not know the Lord see, hears or reads CHRISTIANS quarreling over ridiculous topics? Or, ANY topic for that matter! What if an unbeliever see this?? What if??? What are we saying??? EVEN IF WE ARE RIGHT??? What are we teaching them? Are we Really representing Jesus properly??

Uh, NO!

I’ll tell you what we are teaching them…RUN from that hypocritical Christianity.

For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. – James 2:13

And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ – Matthew 18:33

I URGE you dear sisters to get of your spiritual high horse and LEARN the Scriptures you claim to know. ALL of them!

I mean really…we have KIDS to train up!

Copyright © Lara Velez, All Rights Reserved

Let’s Pray,

Daddy God, thank YOU that YOU and YOU alone are the judge and ruler of all man kind. Thank You that I do not have that daunting task. Lord, I ask that You help me to never judge another. Help me to always be a peacemaker and a person who shows love and mercy as You have shown me. Forgive me for the times I have been harsh, unmerciful, judgmental and hurtful to another. Help me to represent YOU and YOUR Truth properly. Thank You for Your love and mercy. I love You and want my life to shine for YOU….NOT me. I do not have to be right…I desire to be reconciled! Thank You for Your help, strength and Word! In Jesus Mighty Name, Amen!

Your Homework

Memorize: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God. – Matthew 5:9

Dig Deeper:

Study the following Scriptures…

• Luke 6:42
• Romans 12:10, 14:10-13
• James 2:13, 4:11-12
• Psalm 96:13
• John 8:14-16
• 1 Chronicles 29:11-15
• Ephesians 4:1-3
• Matthew 18:33

Copyright © Lara Velez, All Rights Reserved

For further study we have some past devotionals that tie in nicely with this…

Blessed are the Peacemakers
Judgment and Mercy
Strife and Conflicts
Lighten Up!