It always amazes me when people of faith come together as one to tackle a task or issue and then not even twenty-four hours later are nitpicking each other. Accusations of motives when the person has accomplished something positive in the group. The comments of “oh, you don’t know what she/he has done in the past” (judge and jury complex) or “we can tell you stories” (which I do believe is gossip) or “yes he/she did the right thing this time, but he/she is really just out for herself/himself” (morally superior God complex).
I am guilty of the above a time or two myself, but I am better at discerning when these kinds of thoughts come into my mind. I also have learned to keep my mouth shut when I tend to want to talk negatively about someone else especially when I am subjecting others to my evaluation of another person's motives. I certainly am no authority on the mind, heart, and spiritual inner workings of a fellow human.
In the Bible, the intentions of the heart refer to the inner motives, thoughts, and desires that drive human actions, which God evaluates completely beyond outward appearances. Here is what I think about when I see a comment thread that focuses on disapproval, faultfinding, self-righteousness, and moral superiority. I am reminded to check my own faults and failures. It is not good for my own spirit to keep reliving my past. Why is it so easy to continually rehash someone else’s past or predict their future? What does the Bible say about the heart? What does it say about the person’s heart who is making those judgment calls?
-The Bible used the word “heart” (Hebrew lev) to mean your inner moral, emotional, intellectual life. It is where your decisions and plans begin.
-Humans judge by what they see on the outside, but God looks directly at the heart because He knows, searches, and discerns the hidden thoughts, motives, and intents of every human heart.
-The Bible warns that human hearts can be deceitful or broken, and that bad actions (like anger, greed, or deceit) start as thoughts inside the heart before they happen outwardly.
So before words leave your lips or you type that comment, maybe look at your own heart before you overstep the boundaries believing you know someone’s true intentions as it could lead to unfair assumptions and judgments. Be reminded that others are also looking at your heart and making those same assumptions and judgments about you.
Be intentional in the process of self-reflection so you can examine your own thoughts, emotions, and actions, so that you gain a valuable deeper understanding of who you are. Seeing ourselves through God’s eyes is the only way to change our own behaviors and to stay away from passing judgment on someone else.
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged, it penetrates even into dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow, it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).
“All a person’s ways seem right in his own opinions, but the Lord evaluates the motives” (Proverbs 16:2).
“I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways” (Jeremiah 12:10).
Prayers for discernment so that others receive grace and the benefit of the doubt. May we choose to live faithfully and follow our God given deep convictions even if it costs comfort, approval, or relationships. Prayers that people refuse to compromise on the things that will destroy our freedoms.
Blessings,
dreamsdontfade.com
This uplifting song has such a great message. There is always room for you. “Room For You” by We Are Messengers.
There’s room for the broken
The hurting and the weak
He said there’s room for the outcast
The doubters and the least
He said there’s room for your questions
Your sorrow and your pain
He said there’s room
There’s always room
We’ve all been there before
We all have lost our way
We’ve all been so far gone
We thought He’d walked away
And we've all been the outsiders
Till love came crashing through
Come in from the dark
Jesus said He’s making room for you
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlTUy5mI-YY&list=RDBlTUy5mI-YY&start_radio=1