Judge not...

This post isn't any more fun to read than it is to write, but it desperately needs to been said...

Negative, cutting, derogatory remarks have no rightful place in a healthy community of people. Whether those people claim the name of Christ or not, that statement is still true. However, it's even more true when the people involved are supposed to be emulating Jesus Christ himself.

This whole post hinges on one verse I read in my JAM time (Jesus And Me).

Romans 14:4, "Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand."

So many times we just truck right along in our humanness and take pot shots at whoever gets in our way. It's so easy to be negative about things or people. It's in our nature.

My friends, answer some good prayer and meditation over this particular verse, the only message I get from God is this: "let me handle them, they are my children just like you are."

It's very cut and dried. Unless the person you have beef with is engaging in open sin, keep your comments to yourself. Even if they are sinning, DO NOT GOSSIP. Take your concerns to that person and deal with them biblically and personally.

I have no right to pass judgment or make slanderous comments about you or anyone else. It really fries my bacon when believers attack each other, especially when the world can see it. There is no faster way to lose your witness with most people than to cut someone down, talk behind their back or gossip about them.

Here's the bottom line. If you verbally attack someone, you are sinning. If you gossip about them, you are sinning. The way you judge someone else is the way you'll be judged when your number is up. If you call someone a fool, you are the fool. The next time you point your finger, look at your hand. There are 3 fingers pointing right back at you!

Let's build each other up, not trying to elevate ourselves by tearing everyone else down. Live to see the best in the people around you. Look for their best, encourage them to be and become all that God has for them. Kindness given fosters more kindness to be received.

Compliment, encourage and bless the people who cross your path. Don't be a poison. No one likes negative people. Leaving the judging to the Judge.

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Romans 14:4, "Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand."