After reading the about the 'Fruit of the Spirit' in Gal.5:19-26, what "lenses" should we be seeing others through?
My response to this question is specifically in context to judging others (especially believers) by your own standards.
Many of us know the concept that when you point your finger at someone, there are three fingers pointing back at you. The moral is that we are never in the position to judge a person based on their moral actions because if it were not for the grace of God and personal circumstances or choices, we would be in the same boat as they. We all belong to the human race and we all are ravaged by sins imperfections.
Paul says it well,
Rom.14:4 Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.
The problem with judging others is that we can never know the true circumstances that drove that person to do what you judge them for! What motives did that person have to do that deed? What desperate situation was that person facing? Are your moral standards truly of higher value than theirs in the greater design of things?
The point is that we are all at different positions on the road of sanctification. If the Holy Spirit convicts me in my heart that smoking is a sin, it does not mean that I can judge another believer for smoking a cigarette if God has not yet working in their heart that it is a sin? For them it is not a sin until they too experience the conviction of the Spirit about it. This is what Paul means when he says,
Rom.14:22 Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23 But he who doubts [his actions] is condemned if he [does those actions], because he does not [do them] from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.
What do we do in the place of judging others?
If you believe that someone is genuinely doing something wrong or misinterpreting scripture, then instead of wildly judging them or putting them on the spot, rather guide them in love. Correct them gently from the Word of God. Pray for them that they will experience the conviction of the Holy Spirit in that area. Be an example in grace and patience. Through the seeds of correction you sow, the Spirit will take that truth and grow it in the heart of that person. You cannot change a persons heart! Only the Spirit of God can, and it is in His timing, not yours.
Remember what Paul says,
To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.

Comments
Post a Comment