Private War

I think that most people are fighting a private war inside, something they would have a very hard time sharing with others.  It is very hard to know what people are going through or have been through.  It is easy to sit in judgement of others when you don’t know what their story is or even if you do know their story.  We are notorious for standing in judgement of others, even if we call ourselves believers. 

This is everyone’s condition before conversion, we all fall into line somewhere in these verses, we are all guilty of sin whether we admit it or not.  Please read Romans 1:18-32, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.”

Think of this, what right do we have to judge someone else when we were all in this same boat of sinners before we received God’s free gift of grace when we truly repented and turned away from our sins and asked the Lord to come in and cleanse us of all sin and to be our Lord and Savior.  I am just as guilty as anyone else.  What we are supposed to be is ambassadors of Christ, who when dying for our sins and the rest of the world’s sins, said in all his suffering, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.”  If we are believers shouldn’t we say the same things Jesus said and put those words into action.

What about the greatest commandment and the second commandment that says this in Matthew 22:36-40, “‘Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?’ Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.’”

Let’s let God be the judge because he knows everything about every person and none of us do.  I know the Bible says you will know them by their fruit, but if all we are doing is being fruit inspectors, we should not forget to look at our own imperfections also.  Think of this, even if you are right about a person, are we called to condemn people or to love and forgive and build them up in the faith?  

If there was less condemning and judging and more loving and forgiving, there would be far more people wanting to hear the truth and receive the truth.  If the real truth was proclaimed from a loving, compassionate person it would be received far more readily than from a person that strikes like a viper with their mouth with a judgmental attitude.  

I have heard it said that a gentle answer turns away wrath, please read what it says Proverbs 15:1-4, “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.  The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.”  

This Tidbit has truly spoken to me, I hope I live this out the rest of my life.  If this has truly spoken to anyone, I pray you will live this out also.  May the good Lord bless you all and may you have a super day!!