Please forgive me if I do not explain myself cleary in this but how do we hold eachother accountable (in a loving accountability) if the other fellow Christian says "you are being judgemental for you have sin of your own"....encountering situations like this has left me pondering...."do I just say nothing at all?" but I don't know if that is right either.....any insight would be greatly appreciated.
Trying to understand
- Thread starter Jahida
- Start date
If it is what the Holy Spirit is leading you to say then speak out in as loving a fashion as you can. If they refuse to listen then pray for them, but otherwise let them be (Luke 9:5).
Matthew 18:15-17 gives a good guidline and demonstrates a good point.
If we are never to say anything because we are all sinners, then why did Jesus show us a way to deal with offending brothers?
That said you will be attacked (usually in a quiet fashion and/or through gossip) if you address problems. Overall it will not matter if what you point out is right or wrong. Most people just want to maintain the status quo and will attack those who make them uncomfortable.
You can use Scriptures such as these:
Romans 15:14
And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.
Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
The definition of admonish: to reprove or scold, esp. in a mild and good-willed manner: The teacher admonished him about excessive noise. (dictionary.com)
When fellow believers condemn you for "judging" them, you are most likely admonishing them, and the Bible says to do that.
Romans 15:14
And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.
Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
The definition of admonish: to reprove or scold, esp. in a mild and good-willed manner: The teacher admonished him about excessive noise. (dictionary.com)
When fellow believers condemn you for "judging" them, you are most likely admonishing them, and the Bible says to do that.
A Christian loves pleasing God, not themselves. When anyone corrects a Christian from scripture, the Christian will (not must or should as Christianity cannot be faked) accept it as a loving rebuke.
If any Christian says ''do not judge me''...well they have not yet grasped that Christianity 101 is ''I AM dead.....to Christ''.
When people say ''you are being judgemental for you have sin of your own''...they may as well say ''I have no interest in respecting scripture, I am a Christian out of convenience and only read scriptures that make ''''me'''' feel better about ''''me'''.
Anyone here can judge me and I will thank them for it!! The harsher the better!!! Bring it, we crave righteousness!!!!
As the Bible says,
Proverbs 17:10
A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.
Verse 5 is good for the situation as well.
Yea I dont see it as harsh judgement anymore I see it as loving rebuke or admonishment. If that person I know is a believer.
Only God has a right to truly judge me, if people have judged me unrighteously I take that up with God to sort out, often the people that do that dont even know me. They are judging the outer appearance and not looking on my heart.
Only God has a right to truly judge me, if people have judged me unrighteously I take that up with God to sort out, often the people that do that dont even know me. They are judging the outer appearance and not looking on my heart.
Holding each other accountable...what do you mean Jahida in what way?
Can you give an example? Usually for things we need to be accoutnable for its like if a parent leaves their child in the care of a babysitter, the babysitter needs to take responisbility for their children while they are away but also the parent needs discernment on who they leave their child with and the instructions they leave. So its a trust thing.
Jahida we were all sinners...but in some things weve overcome and others we havent. So it depends.
I know some people bristle at being chastised. But if we do love each other we would do this, not just not care. If that person then comes back to us they know that, they need correction. Some times its best to say nothing and pray instead cos the holy spirit can convict without words.
I know some people bristle at being chastised. But if we do love each other we would do this, not just not care. If that person then comes back to us they know that, they need correction. Some times its best to say nothing and pray instead cos the holy spirit can convict without words.
You can't. The ground has to be prepared to receive the seed. A teachable heart will learn great things. Read Proverbs and see what fools do.
Sure....I have a family member who always seems to complain and actually point short comings out in others. Also I engaged in a conversation that I should not judge gay marriages for I have sinned I'm sure with lust full thoughts which apparently equates to the same.
Yes I have read proverbs...the scripture that had come to mind for me was 12:1.....I have been a fool before myself
No problem.
I keep this one in mind when I want to argue:
Proverbs 23:9 (KJV)
Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.
Thank you for the scripture Abdicate.....that actually put somethings in perspective for me
As I agree that we should be very attentive to the Holy Spirit in these matters, first finding out what He desires for us to do....I found a verse in 1 John 5:16a that helps me to know that God is big enough to be in control.....sure takes that part off of me
it says that if you see a Christian brother or sister sinning in a way that does not lead to death, you should pray, and God will give that person life. God loves us all so very much! But each person must work out their own salvation. If we are asked our opinion then that is entirely different for that person is inviting us to give them advice or show them that they cannot see. When i see someone is behaving in a way that i think God is not pleased....i have tried to get in the habit to find a scripture to pray that will bring about a desired result, or i just keep thanking God for His moving in their life and helping them to draw closer to Him. For example if someone is cranky...then i thank God for blessing them with Joy and peace.
Blessings!
It helps me to move on... It's not that I believe they're fools mind you, only that this one fits right along side of it:
Proverbs 14:7 (KJV)
Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not [in him] the lips of knowledge.
Only a fool keeps trying to convince a fool
And because we're flesh and with sin, we're all fools from time to time.