Wednesday, July 21, 2010

A smack in the face from the Lord

I just had to share with others my devotional this morning. It really just smacked me right in the face.

The apostle Paul cautioned us against being too quick to approve ourselves or condemn others, saying, "I care very little if I am judged by you... indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me" (1 Corinthians 4:3-4, NIV).

We must be careful about being overly self-introspective, and about being too quick to criticize others. As fallen creatures, we're capable of wounding ourselves and others with misguided judgments.

Yes, be discerning about right and wrong, and be willing to properly admonish someone when the Spirit leads; but remember there's only One who can actually read the heart. How much better to say with the psalmist, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

The best of (us) are too apt to judge rashly, and harshly, and unjustly; but (God's) judgment is always according to truth.
Matthew Henry

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