Have you
come to the spot where you notice something wrong with another person? Do you see clearly that person’s flaws, moral
inadequacies or bad behavior? Do you
recognize what that person must do to get things straight so he or she can be a
better person? Well great! Pray about it. Pray with humility and great respect for the
work of God already accomplished in that one person. Pray, recognizing God’s sovereignty in that
life as the creator and sustainer and the finisher of the work He has already
begun. Bite your lip and slap your face
though as you start to be God and point out what you have seen wrong with the
person. Cut out your tongue before you
try to get out a word of criticism. Be
as harsh with your soul as Pontius Pilate was with Jesus if you think you
should begin to give way to your urge to judge one of the Lord’s own. You open yourself up to all the flaming darts
of the evil one if you begin to take your place as corrector and faultfinder
because, as well-intended as you mean to be, you have stood in the place of
Satan and usurped him in his obscene work.
Satan is the accuser and if you wish to join him in his rebellion
against the Lord, then at least be prepared for the consequences. Nothing shuts down the work of God in us
quicker than our sharp tongue and critical evaluations. We cannot advance at all with God if we take
this stance abrogating God’s authority.
Of course we mean well when we point out flaws and correct personality
deficiencies…just like Eve meant well when she offered Adam the fruit. Given how high the stakes, would it not be
better just to swallow our criticisms like a deadly poison pill than let them
get out into the open and make ourselves enemies of God? If you see something wrong with another
person, pray about it and let the matter rest with Jesus Christ who knows what
to do with such things.
Do not judge or you too will be judged. Matthew 7: 1 NIV
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