We were driving down the Palmer Wasilla HWY today and passed a church that has one of those marquee signs that always has a short message on it. Today it said something like "Don't judge others just because they sin different then you." Isn't that the truth. We all struggle with different sin, we all have different faults and failures, but when we see something in someone else we like to point out the bad. "Did you see what a mess she is?" "Did you hear how she talks to her husband?" Did you see how she treats her kids?" "I would never....." And there we are, judging others. It's an easy trap to fall into. I try very hard not to judge others, because I know that my own life is so full of faults, failure, and sins that I don't want to be judge by others for.
Matthew 7:1“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. 2 For you will be treated as you treat others.The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. 3 “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own?4 How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.
Specks and logs, I'm full of both. We find a little area of pride in our own life, something that we are good at, and we somehow think that makes us better then someone else. Let's strive to be encouragers. Lets make a promise to not be involved in judging or criticizing others. I saw this post from Lysa TerKeurst the other day:
Matthew 7:1“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. 2 For you will be treated as you treat others.The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. 3 “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own?4 How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.
Specks and logs, I'm full of both. We find a little area of pride in our own life, something that we are good at, and we somehow think that makes us better then someone else. Let's strive to be encouragers. Lets make a promise to not be involved in judging or criticizing others. I saw this post from Lysa TerKeurst the other day:
It really applies to all of us, whether we are moms or not. We are all desperately trying to do things right as women, as Christians, as neighbors, as employees, as students, or whatever title you would give yourself. So, the next time you find yourself thinking judgmental thoughts or find yourself in a conversation where judgmental words begin to surface, take a stand! Reverse it and say something encouraging. Offer a helping hand, or a word of comfort. Say, great job, hang in there! |
There is a big difference between sins and faults. A fault is having not organizational skills, a sin is If you see a sister in Christ struggling with a sin, it's ok to go talk to her about it in a loving way. We are here to build each other up and help one another face temptations. That's why we have one another.
Ecclesiastes 4: 9 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.
I want to be someone who helps other people succeed! I want to be an encourager and a true friend, not the type of friend who always says what you want to hear, but the type who will say what needs to be said IN LOVE.
Ecclesiastes 4: 9 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.
I want to be someone who helps other people succeed! I want to be an encourager and a true friend, not the type of friend who always says what you want to hear, but the type who will say what needs to be said IN LOVE.