Friday, March 10, 2017

Good Fight or Judging Others?

I read I Timothy 6 the other day as a part of my daily reading. The chapter leaped off the page at me. The vitriol from the election has not waned, harsh words on all sides are still splattered on Facebook. Christians berating each other on social media and in person, another way to phrase is - Judgment Much!

Of course, people have opinions which they wish to share, but the judgment, the self-righteous attitude, the name-calling must stop, that is not sharing your opinion. If you feel the need to post 75 pro-Trump statements a day, you need to find a hobby. If you feel the need to post 75 statements a day bashing Trump, you need to find a hobby. Suggestions include but are not limited to: gardening, fishing, knitting, bicycling, reading, running, sewing, glass blowing, woodworking, and bird watching.

Judgment is judgment not discernment, anger is not righteous indignation, profanity is not passion (increase your vocabulary to make your point if need be), and hate is not debate.

The following Bible verses are meant to guide us through life, to teach us how to respond and love out the Gospel:

I Tim 6:11-12 (ESV)

But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Do we see anything in the above verses about self-righteousness, name-calling, or anger?

II Tim 2:23 (ESV) Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.

Does anything in the above verse tell us to argue? II Tim 2:24 does tell us how we are to act: And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness.

What does the Bible say about pride? Proverbs 16:8 states: Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. In fact, I can still hear it in King James: Pride goeth before destruction..Goeth somehow emphasizes something major followeth pride.

I Peter 3:15-16 (ESV) again mentions respect: but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

Lastly Eph 4:25-27 (ESV) tells us: Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.

So instead of judging and letting the sun go down on our anger, reduce your amount of time watching and reading the news, disengage from social media, and pray. Pray for revival, to begin with you. Look at your own life not everyone else's. Seek first the Kingdom of God not the media. Don't be concerned if others do not share your opinion. Focus on the Lord's will, you will find life if better that way.











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