Stop It! Stop It! Stop It!
Posted on August 20, 2019 by America's Keswick in Victory Call
I do it. You do it. We all do it, and we all need to stop it. We need to stop it in ourselves and we need to love each other enough to step out of our comfort space and exhort one another to STOP IT!
Of course by now you are wondering what the IT is that I am writing about today. Well, let me state it as succinctly and authoritatively as possible by telling you what Jesus said about IT.
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. ~~ Matthew 7:1-51
In other words, stop being so critical and judgemental. Just stop it. Of all the things that we do as believers, as called out ones, that is lethal and toxic to the body of Christ, this is surely close to the top of the list right under arrogant, self-righteous and prideful.
In my favorite devotional book, “My Utmost For His Highest” Oswald Chambers writes:
“The average Christian is the most piercingly critical individual known.”2
Why do you suppose he wrote that? Because it’s true and if we are honest with ourselves about ourselves, we know it is true. I know when it’s true of me and I’m sick of it. I long to be holy as God is holy and I thank Him now and every day for conviction and for the power of His Holy Spirit to change me as I surrender myself to Him. There is freedom in Christ from all manner of sin and silliness, trial and trouble.
Let’s go before Him today and confess the sin of pride and surrender our right to be and stay critical, self-righteous, judgmental and full of pride. In its place let’s put on the fruit of the spirit, empowered by the Spirit at work in us and seek to do no harm with our tongues.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. ~~ Galatians 5:22-26
Stephanie
1 www.biblegateway.com
2 http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/my-utmost-for-his-highest/06/17/devotion.aspx?year=2009
Written by Stephanie Paul: Stephanie served on staff at America’s Keswick as Women of Character Director. She is married to Sesky; together they have 2 adult children.
Think About This: “When you judge others, you do not define them; you define yourself.” – Earl Nightingale
The Daily Bible Reading: Psalms 105-106, Galatians 5| You can download our 2018 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here
This Week’s Verse to Memorize: Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. – Psalm 139:7-8
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the doctrinal and theological views held by America’s Keswick.
