"I don't judge," a person may say. Well, it is good that one doesn't, because the word of God teaches men not to judge. Matt 7:1-2. Rom 14:10. Judging is a person giving their own opinion about a matter and passing those thoughts off as the law of the land. On the other hand, a person reading something which the word of God teaches and showing an offender where he is wrong; is not judging. Instead that is correction by the word of God. 2 Tim 3:14-17. Heb 4:12-13.
For example, one is not judging by showing a thief that the word of God condemns stealing. Eph 4:28. Nor is one judging a gay person by showing that the scripture condemns homosexuality. Rom 1:26-32. So, it is not correction by the person who showed the scripture to the offender; but rather the scripture showing the offender where he is in error. So remember, a person giving his personal thoughts as law, is judging. But showing one what the Bible teaches is correction with the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Let that truth set you free. John 8:31-32. What is this thing about a preacher on stage giving his message and having men standing in the back of him as if they are his body guards? Do preachers really need guys to line up on the stage with them giving the image they are someone who is great?
Preachers need to keep the message simple, humble and clear; and the same virtues need to surround their character. 1 Peter 5:5-6. When you see a preacher with a group of guys standing behind him as his speaks; one would have to wonder what message is that supposed to send? The audience needs to hear and see the person who is speaking; but they don?t need to be distracted by men standing in soldier like positions. These guys need to be sitting in their seats with the rest of the audience. I know some movie stars, athletes and musicians have a posse and it appears some preachers do as well. Acts 5:36-37. (red flag) When you are ready to get right with God, I would like you to read the following scriptures. Acts 2:36-42. Acts 8:35-39. Acts 16:29-33. Acts 9:17-19. Acts 10:47-48.
Afterwards ask yourself three questions.
Hope to hear from you or see you at the services. Being condescending is a tone of speech that makes listeners feel that the speaker is talking down to them. Gen 44:14-15. The bible teaches us to speak with words season with salt and grace. Col 4:6. The Bible also teaches men to be careful with their words because emotion with its finger on the trigger of the tongue, causes much damage. Jas 3:5-10. And the proud attitude of looking down on others, considering oneself to be so much better, is just plain ignorant. 1 Cor 8:2. 1 Cor 1:27. One of the virtues of being wise is to work with others on their level and understand that none is greater because of degrees from institutions of higher learning. 1 Cor 9:19-23. Rom 12:15-16. Matt 18:1-5.
Such is true because all men die and Jesus won’t judge men because of degrees or lack thereof. Eccl 3:18-21. Matt 25:32-33. So let none of us be guilty of practicing condescending speech; instead let us speak to each other as equals because in the eyes of God we are. Acts 17:26. Acts 10:34-35. Rom 2:11. Rom 3:23. “Can’t you just be happy for me?” People say that while arguing involvement in a matter. However, in order to be happy for someone we must be comfortable with their choice. Otherwise it will be our support of that which violates the conscience. Being happy for someone, should cause us to look at the matter and see if any law is broken. For example, why be happy for a person who didn’t get caught cheating on his taxes? Why be happy for a daughter who is going to move in with her loser boyfriend who can’t hold a job and has a drinking and drug problem?
You see that people can be involved in the wrong things while asking others to be happy for them. But godly people cannot honor such requests. 1 Timothy 5:20-22. So yes, we can be happy for a person as long as there is no encouragement of poor choices. |