Finger pointing and condemnation

[Pearl]

Why is it that so many Christians point fingers and condemn others? Jesus didn't do any of that. He changed people with love. He didn't call out sinners and humiliate them. He didn't find sinners repulsive.

I saw an item on the news last night about how gay and trans people were treated by the UK military. It was appalling. And I realised that some parts of the church still treated gay people very badly. And I thought that Jesus didn't condemn or point fingers.
When he came upon the crowd ready to stone the, adulterous woman he didn't join in with their jeering. He made them all realise that none of them was sinless and their own shame drove them away.

Whenever we, as Christians, are tempted to condemn and point fingers at those we consider to be sinners, we need to remember that we are not sinless either. As well as the 'obvious' sins in our lives there are also the secret ones that are well hidden.

This thought started when a passage in a book I was reading described an old church building as standing there as a way of condemnation to the people of the town. And sadly many people believe that of the church, that is not a place of love, acceptance and grace, but that its main purpose in life is to make people conform to its joyless practises.

So should we, who are the church, be showing them a better way? A way of love and kindness and acceptance. Just as Jesus did?

 

[marks]

So should we, who are the church, be showing them a better way? A way of love and kindness and acceptance. Just as Jesus did?

Absolutely!

Personally I think a big part of the problem is that so many call themselves Christian and are not. And I think the bigger part of the problem is that many are not really aware of how they act, the things they say. They just build up a head of steam and then disgorge on someone, not realizing for a moment how boorish they are being.

Pride is the trouble, I think!

Much love!

 

[Pearl]

Absolutely!

Personally I think a big part of the problem is that so many call themselves Christian and are not. And I think the bigger part of the problem is that many are not really aware of how they act, the things they say. They just build up a head of steam and then disgorge on someone, not realizing for a moment how boorish they are being.

Pride is the trouble, I think!

Much love!

Yes, I thought 'pride' as I wrote the post. Much love.

 

[Verily]

Yes, I thought 'pride' as I wrote the post. Much love.

You approve of pride parades?

 

[Wrangler]

Here was a great opportunity to take personal responsibility in NOT Finger pointing and condemning others.

... so many call themselves Christian and are not. ... many are not really aware of how they act, the things they say. They just build up a head of steam and then disgorge on someone, not realizing for a moment how boorish they are being.

Opportunity lost. When one points the finger, 4 point back at themselves. I prefer to apply the principles of the book, "Don't sweat the small stuff. It's all small stuff."

We cannot control our circumstances but we can control our reaction to our circumstances. This is the line that separates the goats from the sheep, those who eat meat from drink milk.

 

[Ritajanice]

Here was a great opportunity to take personal responsibility in NOT Finger pointing and condemning others.


Opportunity lost. When one points the finger, 4 point back at themselves. I prefer to apply the principles of the book, "Don't sweat the small stuff. It's all small stuff."

We cannot control our circumstances but we can control our reaction to our circumstances. This is the line that separates the goats from the sheep, those who eat meat from drink milk.

I think many are still in their feelings and emotions at times, I know I can be, instead of being in the Spirit if that makes sense, we keep looking to self..instead of looking to the Spirit and being guided by him..

Feelings and emotions can be a darn nuisance at times, imo...it’s like reverting back to a new babe in Christ...another word is still being in the old man...we need to have our minds renewed, think like Jesus..look how he was abused, did you hear him complaining @Wrangler ?..

 

[Ritajanice]

but we can control our reaction to our circumstances

Yes, providing they are “ self aware”!..of what’s being said and understanding what a reaction means from themselves.

I’ve lost count how many times I’ve “ reacted” to members posts..instead of “acting accordingly “...we’re all a work in progress, I don’t understand why some don’t understand that...this petty finger pointing at others, quite honestly is childish and gets on my wick....immaturity imo, and yes, I’ve been there..

 

[Pearl]

You approve of pride parades?

The pride I was thinking of here was the pride in a persons heart when they think it is okay to condemn and finger point at those they consider greater sinners that themselves.

 

[Wrangler]

I’ve lost count how many times I’ve “ reacted” to members posts..i

I remind myself of the luxury of the written form. It does not require an immediate, reflexive response …. Sometimes I give myself 2 seconds to formulate a witty rejoinder. LOL.

 

[Ritajanice]

Pride is the trouble, I think!

Definitely pride and ego, from myself, I put my hands up to that, I get far to cocky and way ahead of “ self” at times, ...again it’s that old man..will he ever die?

He certainly gets less...I just wish he would completely die....before I know it, he’s in there...pride, ego, just as you say.marks....appreciate that reminder...I know it wasn’t aimed at me...I even rejected your reminder at first..but, it’s true what you say, God showed me that..that old man doesn’t like to hear the truth.

 

[Wrangler]

We cannot control our circumstances but we can control our reaction to our circumstances.

Yes, providing they are “ self aware”!

Did you see what you did there; turn ‘we’ into ‘they?’

When ‘we ‘ realize we are in the same boat as ‘they’ it gets a lot more humbling. My first Bible was the Challenge Bible (CEV). It is aimed at drug addicts at an 8th grade reading level. When I admitted that I am an addiction to sin, all the study notes no longer applied to ‘them.’ That was humbling.

Do not ask for who the bell tolls, it tolls for thee.

 

[ScottA]

Oh--no--I'm not getting into this!

 

[Ritajanice]

When ‘we ‘ realize we are in the same boat as ‘they’ it gets a lot more humbling

I recognise “ me” lol...what good is me, lol...if one cant look at self, what hope is there?

Consistently, I would love to be in the Spirit...

I’m in and out of self / Spirit most of the day, I find it can get quite exhausting if you get caught up in self, ..I usually take a break, when I get like that, as I lose my peace, because I’m consistently in “ self mode”...lose track of the Spirit...it’s all about me, when it should be all about God...forever learning eh.

 

[Verily]

The pride I was thinking of here was the pride in a persons heart when they think it is okay to condemn and finger point at those they consider greater sinners that themselves.

They should be more like Paul who considered himself chief of sinners, but could still say,

1 Cr 6:9-10 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Cr 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

After we are washed we are not to return to doing those things

2 Peter 2:22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

We would walk worthy of God, who has called us unto his kingdom and his glory.

 

[Ritajanice]

Romans 8

King James Version

​

8 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

[Verily]

Romans 8​

​

King James Version​

​

​

8 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Are you implying the LGBTQ are in Jesus Christ?

 

[Pearl]

They should be more like Paul who considered himself chief of sinners, but could still say,

Can you show me in the bible of Paul actually pointing the finger or condemning an individual. As followers of jesus we should follow His example.

 

[marks]

Definitely pride and ego, from myself, I put my hands up to that, I get far to cocky and way ahead of “ self” at times, ...again it’s that old man..will he ever die?

He certainly gets less...I just wish he would completely die....before I know it, he’s in there...pride, ego, just as you say.marks....appreciate that reminder...I know it wasn’t aimed at me...I even rejected your reminder at first..but, it’s true what you say, God showed me that..that old man doesn’t like to hear the truth.

That's part of the beauty of a written forum, we can stop and reconsider our words before we actually post. Pray before and after writing.

I’m in and out of self / Spirit most of the day, I find it can get quite exhausting if you get caught up in self, ..I usually take a break, when I get like that, as I lose my peace, because I’m consistently in “ self mode”...lose track of the Spirit...it’s all about me, when it should be all about God...forever learning eh.

It sounds like you are learning to see, to know when you are and are not in the Spirit. To me this is great treasure. To be self aware, and able not only to recognize, but to embrace the knowledge that " . . . this was from my flesh . . .", and then do what is appropriate.

I truly appreciate your openness and honesty.

Much love!

 

[Verily]

So should we, who are the church, be showing them a better way? A way of love and kindness and acceptance. Just as Jesus did?

Jesus speaking to the seven churches tells us how he expresses his love

Rev 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Hating thy brother, suffering sin upon him

Lev 19:17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.

It does speak of the tender mercies of the wicked as something that is cruel also.

 

[Verily]

Can you show me in the bible of Paul actually pointing the finger or condemning an individual. As followers of jesus we should follow His example.

My post reads

They should be more like Paul who considered himself chief of sinners, but could still say,

1 Cr 6:9-10 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Cr 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

After we are washed we are not to return to doing those things