Stop Pointing the Finger
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Stop Pointing the Finger
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The following is an excerpt from our daily devotional series Fasting and the Heart of God.
“…take away the yoke… the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness…” (Isaiah 58:9)
Some of us who have spent our whole lives in church have gotten used to the “sanctified life.” We pray, go to church, worship, and read our Bibles. We may have gotten so used to living our lives with Jesus that we’ve forgotten what it must be like to live without Him. Worse, because we forget, we often become ungrateful for all God has done for us. We don’t remember that we were once far away from God, hopeless, and lost. Before Christ saved us from our sinful state, we were on a path to destruction. It’s ONLY because of His grace we were washed, cleansed, forgiven, and redeemed; not because of our own works, but because Father God is so merciful, with a heart full of grace.
Pray for your fellow intercessor.
Ungratefulness gives birth to a critical spirit. We may build little thrones and towers that give onlookers the impression of an “us versus them” mentality. We judge the world with disdain and turned-up noses. Those in the “holy huddle” look down on those in the world “below” and criticize harshly. We “point the finger” at their sin, forgetting that lost people cannot be righteousness without Christ. Sadly, a critical attitude inevitably colors our relationships within the “family.” God’s rebuke through Isaiah was that His people were criticizing each other, using harsh language to cut and slander within their own community.
Yes, the Church must discipline its own when public sin produces scandal, but that is done in redemptive love, not with criticism and gossip. We are not told to judge the world (1 Corinthians 5:9-13). Why? Well, the truth is that the world can’t live differently because they live without God’s Spirit and transforming power. Therefore, our response to non-believers’ sin should be to share the truth of the Gospel in love and to show compassion and hope. We can pray the same merciful prayer Jesus prayed hanging from the cross, “Father, forgive them for they do not know not what they do.” Christ prayed that prayer in mercy and love. We too should seek to treat those who don’t know God with that same mercy, love, and kindness. (By Julie Hamner)
In your time seeking God today:
- Take a few moments to think about where you would be without God’s grace and truth. Let that reality sink in. Then, ask Father to help you to remain humble and grateful for all He has given and done to adopt you into His family.
- Pray that the Lord would reveal black areas in your heart that make you judgmental and critical. Is there an individual or group in particular that you treat harshly or with contempt? A non-believing relative who is making disastrous choices? Liberals? Homosexuals? Muslims? If God brings someone or a people to mind, ask God for the strength to extend the same mercy that was given to you.
- As you go through your day, look for chances to extend compassion instead of judgment to the hopeless and hurting. When appropriate, pray the same loving prayer Jesus prayed, “Forgive them, Father, for they do not know not what they are doing.”
Related Scripture:
Luke 23:34; 1 Corinthians 5:9-13; Colossians 4:6
Fasting and the Heart of God Full PDF Version
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Only God can “read” someone’s heart and knows whether or not they will ever accept him. While I think we should pray for them, and pray that there would be a revival and a turning away from sin and back to God, I also think we must temper our christian behaviors and make sure that in saying we are not “judging” them we are not then offering “acceptance” to and for their sins. We need to use much discernment and prayer in dealing with certain people. While God loves everyone and “wishes” we would all accept him and his Son, I don’t think he expects us to go along with their sin which seems to be happening more and more today even in our churches. We can and should pray for their souls, but we are unable to “fix” or change anyone. Only God can do that. We need to return to the bible and submit ourselves to God’s word. Psalms 1:1 and 2 we are cautioned about going along with others sin and it is repeated again in 2 Corinthians 6:14. Blessed is the man who walketh NOT in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord and in his law doth he meditate day and night. Be not yoked with unbelievers for what do righteousness and wickedness have in common, or what fellowship can light have with darkness? I sincerely feel these scriptures as well as Matthew 10:14 “And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet” are God’s way of letting us know that we are not to put ourselves connected to or keep striving with those that continue to sin. I don’t believe he ever expects for us to “accept” their sin as ok in an attempt to win them over to him. He already knows who will and will not accept him.
Dearest Heavenly Father: Give us the wisdom and discernment needed to fulfill your WILL as we wait for your Son’s soon return. Help us to pray and ever be watchful of our own souls so that we are not led astray. We pray that all of those you have chosen will find their way to you and not tarry. That they will accept your Son as their personal Savior and not allow themselves to be fooled by the devil and therefore compromise themselves into hell. To you be all Glory, Honor, Power and Praise, for you alone are Worthy to be Praised. We pray this prayer in the Mighty Mighty Name of Jesus Christ, our Lord, Savior, Healer, Protector, Best Friend Ever — Our Everything.