I’ve already spoken of my problem with judging people by their appearance. Seems to me a lot of folks have the very same problem. Whether Christian or not, we all fall into the same trap. The Lord shared something with me at work yesterday. The things He placed in my heart analyze this topic a little deeper.
Isn’t it interesting that when two men meet for the first time one of the first questions they ask is either “Where do you work?” or “What do you do for a living?” It’s our way of assessing various things about that person. Things like how much they make, which spins off into what he drives, where he lives … the wheels start turning in our mind and we determine all sorts of things about that person without saying another word. It’s a pretty common practice.
Christians are no different. What’s one of the first questions we ask someone we are meeting for the first time … “What church do you go to?” or “What denomination do you belong to?” We can really go to town with that information. If they’re from a Pentecostal or Evangelical background, we may feel a certain sort of way. Orthodox church goers (such as, Methodist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, or Catholic) are viewed another way. We don’t accept people for who they are. Not always, but many times. We shun certain denominations without really knowing anything about the persons attending them. What if they are born again yet aren’t attending any church at all at the time. Depending on how we feel about a given church or denomination, or why they don’t go to church at all and why. We will judge them accordingly. We allow that info to influence how we feel about them. And what about Jews? They’re very different than Christians in beliefs and practices. But they are created by the same God and loved by Him the same as you and me. Don’t they deserve to be loved just like anyone else, regardless of their religious affiliation. What about other religions? What about Jehovah’s Witness or Mormons, two groups that are viewed by Christians as cults? What about atheists or agnostics? The list goes on and on.
Our upbringing, our friendships, our schooling, what we watch, listen to, or read all play a part in how we see others. We segregate ourselves from certain folks because of information we have accumulated in our minds thru the years. Was Jesus like that? The only ones he rejected were the religious men of the day … the Pharisees. Interesting, isn’t it?
What gives any of us the right to judge ANYONE about ANYTHING? We don’t know anyone’s back story. We only know what they have chosen to reveal to us and what we have chosen to assume about them. We are all unique. Everyone doesn’t have to believe exactly like me or you. While it’s true there is one way to heaven and that is thru Christ, I have no doubt that there are many tributaries that flow into the same stream, so to speak, that lead to God. And they all flow thru His blood.
This practice of judging others comes from none other than Satan himself. It certainly doesn’t come from God. God seeks to unite us in a bond of love. Satan seeks to divide and conquer us. To put it very simply, nothing good or positive has or will ever come from Satan. So, recognize the source of this bad habit and rebuke him in the name of Jesus’.
We aren’t perfect. This isn’t meant to shame anyone or make anyone feel guilty. It’s merely meant to point out a problem we all seem to have. I know I do it all the time and I know better. I try with God’s help to treat all others the same, with the love of Christ. We’re not going to agree with everyone, but we can help unite us all with His love simply by how we treat others. Follow the “Golden Rule” from the gospels … Treat (ALL) others the way we wish to be treated. Scripture tells us the world will know we are Christians by our love for one another. Let’s learn from past mistakes knowing that they do not define us as people. Our ability to adjust and make the necessary changes will.
“Heavenly Father, I ask that we all strive to become more and more like Christ as each day progresses. I rebuke the devil in the precious and powerful name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The devil has no hold on us unless we give it to him. May we stay focused on the Lord and listen for the directives from the Holy Spirit within us. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
In His Name & for His Glory,
Richard Keller
Bread of Life Ministries
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