6. We're not supposed to judge our brethren. It goes along with being longsuffering toward our Christian family. We shouldn't look down on our brethren or think we're better than they are. We shouldn't be second-guessing each other's decisions, but always think the best of each other and assume the best motives. As long as each of us is trying our best to follow Christ, then it is up to each of us how we do that (as long as it is from scripture)...how we walk the walk. The other part of that scripture is that we are not to do things that would influence a brother/sister to sin. 7. This verse urges brethren to have peace with one another. I think this one sounds easier than it really is. It's all about attitude. It doesn't mean JUST to not be confrontational and argumentative with each other but to have peaceful ATTITUDES which is much more difficult We have to control our thoughts to truly be at peace with our selves and others...
...which takes me back to the being judgmental problem. Debbie, you asked us to tell how we've worked on these things in our own lives, and I will say that being judgmental of people has been THE hardest habit for me to break over the years. I grew up with a harsh and judgmental parent and I believe it is one of the easiest habits to form. Making yourself feel better or in some way superior to others by running them down in your mind or being critical of them, even if you never say these things out loud, is an attitude that is condemned by God. I struggle with it daily. Of course, we all tend to make allowances for the weaknesses of the people closest to us...we need to be as gracious and merciful to our brethren (and even the people we come in contact with out in the world). Throughout my life, I have learned a few tricks that have helped me turn my thoughts to a more positive vein...sometimes when I feel harsh in my head toward someone, I will do one or all of the following: 1. remind myself of something I did that was similar 2. try to think of a reason why the person might be acting this way (mitigating circumstances) 3. remind myself that none of us is perfect and I can't control other people and make them be the way I want them to be 4. God loves them just as much as he loves me! 5. It's not my job to be the "action police" 6. and the most important (!), pray that I may have a better attitude toward people, pray that I might have better control of my thoughts, pray that I might have more love and patience with my fellow humans, pray for the person that I'm being judgmental toward, that if they have a real problem or sin that I might be able to help in some way, instead of judging them...
as you can see, i've put a lot of thought into this problem!!!
When I'm having trouble forgiving someone, or with a judgemental attitude I TRY to remind myself that Christ asked God to forgive those who were in the process of murdering Him. So I ask myself: What could anyone possible do to me that is worse than that? Surely whatever way I've been wronged is easy to forgive when compared to that.
Sometimes I'm guilty of assuming people's judgment on me (that they don't approve of the way I raise my kids, don't think I was gracious enough, hospitable enough, responded in the best way to something they said, etc.) -- that can be a dangerous slope as well.
Sometimes we come to the dangerous conclusion that we must be absolutely perfect to be pleasing. (It often comes from the way we were raised; like Ann said.) Good attitudes about forgiveness and judgment often are impossible without a sense of trust. Sometimes we need to work not to be suspicious of others' motives and trust that they will love us and appreciate us even when we are not perfect. If we can get to that place, it will create peace within us and will help us to, in turn, not be so judgmental and unforgiving.
Done for yesterday and today! I'm enjoying the comments, especially yours Jennifer about trusting that others will love me despite my imperfections. Remembering that makes it so much easier to love and care about others no matter how different they may be.
Good input, ladies. I would add one more thing that I have noticed. If I am being judgemental in my own thoughts about others, I assume they are being that way towards me. The opposite is also true. We hurt ourselves when we fall into this sin. It something we all have to continually work on...well, I THINK we all do. Maybe I should say, I do.
8 comments:
6. We're not supposed to judge our brethren. It goes along with being longsuffering toward our Christian family. We shouldn't look down on our brethren or think we're better than they are. We shouldn't be second-guessing each other's decisions, but always think the best of each other and assume the best motives. As long as each of us is trying our best to follow Christ, then it is up to each of us how we do that (as long as it is from scripture)...how we walk the walk. The other part of that scripture is that we are not to do things that would influence a brother/sister to sin.
7. This verse urges brethren to have peace with one another. I think this one sounds easier than it really is. It's all about attitude. It doesn't mean JUST to not be confrontational and argumentative with each other but to have peaceful ATTITUDES which is much more difficult We have to control our thoughts to truly be at peace with our selves and others...
...which takes me back to the being judgmental problem. Debbie, you asked us to tell how we've worked on these things in our own lives, and I will say that being judgmental of people has been THE hardest habit for me to break over the years. I grew up with a harsh and judgmental parent and I believe it is one of the easiest habits to form. Making yourself feel better or in some way superior to others by running them down in your mind or being critical of them, even if you never say these things out loud, is an attitude that is condemned by God. I struggle with it daily. Of course, we all tend to make allowances for the weaknesses of the people closest to us...we need to be as gracious and merciful to our brethren (and even the people we come in contact with out in the world).
Throughout my life, I have learned a few tricks that have helped me turn my thoughts to a more positive vein...sometimes when I feel harsh in my head toward someone, I will do one or all of the following:
1. remind myself of something I did that was similar
2. try to think of a reason why the person might be acting this way (mitigating circumstances)
3. remind myself that none of us is perfect and I can't control other people and make them be the way I want them to be
4. God loves them just as much as he loves me!
5. It's not my job to be the "action police"
6. and the most important (!), pray that I may have a better attitude toward people, pray that I might have better control of my thoughts, pray that I might have more love and patience with my fellow humans, pray for the person that I'm being judgmental toward, that if they have a real problem or sin that I might be able to help in some way, instead of judging them...
as you can see, i've put a lot of thought into this problem!!!
WOW! I had no idea I was being so wordy! (that's what happens when it's very personal)...sorry, ladies...
Thank you for sharing all that. I'm glad you were so wordy!
Micki (who used to live in Boise eons ago and knows Debbie and Audrey)
When I'm having trouble forgiving someone, or with a judgemental attitude I TRY to remind myself that Christ asked God to forgive those who were in the process of murdering Him. So I ask myself: What could anyone possible do to me that is worse than that? Surely whatever way I've been wronged is easy to forgive when compared to that.
Sometimes I'm guilty of assuming people's judgment on me (that they don't approve of the way I raise my kids, don't think I was gracious enough, hospitable enough, responded in the best way to something they said, etc.) -- that can be a dangerous slope as well.
Sometimes we come to the dangerous conclusion that we must be absolutely perfect to be pleasing. (It often comes from the way we were raised; like Ann said.) Good attitudes about forgiveness and judgment often are impossible without a sense of trust. Sometimes we need to work not to be suspicious of others' motives and trust that they will love us and appreciate us even when we are not perfect. If we can get to that place, it will create peace within us and will help us to, in turn, not be so judgmental and unforgiving.
Done for yesterday and today! I'm enjoying the comments, especially yours Jennifer about trusting that others will love me despite my imperfections. Remembering that makes it so much easier to love and care about others no matter how different they may be.
Done for today. Thanks everyone for your comments. They all made this lesson very applicable.
Good input, ladies. I would add one more thing that I have noticed. If I am being judgemental in my own thoughts about others, I assume they are being that way towards me. The opposite is also true. We hurt ourselves when we fall into this sin. It something we all have to continually work on...well, I THINK we all do. Maybe I should say, I do.
Oh - I almost forgot! Welcome, Micki! Audrey and I suspected you were "auditing" our little study. Feel free to comment any time.
Post a Comment