Hi
everyone, “back from my Opie Taylor throwing a rock in the
river” episode! (RE: previous post) “So far”
about the only thing that’s still allowed around these parts
in addition to groceries, sundries, banking &
health. Honestly? After 2+ weeks of “this” even a
BORING museum sounds good right now!! We are used to
being a people “on the go” ~ “going to & fro”!!
Yes,
yes, yes, of course I understand the reasons behind it.
Even so, it can grate on me just the same. And then in
the background, maybe it’s the full (super) moon agitating the
dog next door –she’s (actually an inside dog) she’s a big dog
with a big bark & the people are TOTALLY inconsiderate
& will allow her to stay outside bark incessantly FOR
HOURS!!!!! AAARGH!!!! Nails on a
chalkboard to some people!
Really, honestly… I’ve had a zillion other things on my mind
this week (who hasn’t, right?) so I hold no grudge, nor
am I even mad or resentful over what that particular person
wrote. (again RE: previous post) And truth
be known, s/he (assume “he”) may not have even been
single handedly pointing me out….. though it sure sounded like
it. Again I am glad as in THRILLED that God is my Judge
and people are NOT!!!!
AT
ANY RATE….. I’d also mentioned friends who can’t get
their own lives on track, then like to “preach to me”…. which
leaves a great big GRRR!!
Reminded
me I’d like to bring this up.
It
IS Biblical to reprove someone! “All
Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is
true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives.
It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is
right.” NLT 2 Timothy 3:16
1
Timothy 5:20
Titus
1:13
Revelation
3:19
+
more….
(however,
I’d also caution to not take this too far, FOLLOW THE BIBLE OF
COURSE!!) but I’m only thinking of my own growing-up
childhood years in which my (tyrant, do as I say not as I do)
father discouraged his children by his CONSTANT criticism,
lack of love, rebuke and reproof!!
Christian
fathers [or those who think they are Christian] are NOT
supposed to do this! Colossians 3:21 and Ephesians 6:4
Boy I could tell stories! But it does me no good to
dwell on it, as the Apostle Paul said – I need to do as well:
Not
that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived
at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which
Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do
not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But
one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and
straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the
goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward
in Christ Jesus. [Philippians 3:12-14]
Reproof
IS Biblical in certain instances, the right circumstances.
Still
though, do that all the time, every second of the day – and
see how many friends you end up with! Watch your
family members “scatter”!!
[I know so many parents who cannot “let go” and QUIT telling
their grown children WHAT TO DO & HOW TO DO!!] The
parents just never realize this, they don’t see themselves
partially to blame, so they resent that their kids don’t come
around very often.
Admittedly,
I have never read thru’ the entire Old Testament. I did
just find this: From Leviticus 19:17
Contemporary English Version
Don't hold grudges. On the other hand, it's
wrong not to correct someone who needs correcting.
Good News Translation
"Do not bear a grudge against others, but
settle your differences with them, so that you will not
commit a sin because of them.
I
realize New Testament Christians are not bound by Old
Testament laws. Still just the same, interesting verse
& concept!
Hypocrisy,
on the other hand,
(and this is why it’s easy to seethe when a friend – no matter
how well-meaning she may be) decides to tell me how to
do life!! Preaches me a sermon. All the while
she’s in love with “Jesus Calling” and other heretical books
& false teachers, yet sees no fault in what she does.
Best
& most well known Scripture pertaining to “hypocrites”:
Matthew 7:5 Thou hypocrite, FIRST cast the beam out of
thine own eye; and THEN Shalt thou see clearly to cast out
the mote out of thy brother’s eye.
Other
translations call it a PLANK or LOG – get that out of your OWN
eye first!! “THEN!!”…..
Again:
a hypocritical attitude is one of DO AS I SAY ~ not as I DO!!
Matthew
7:5 get the LOG OUT of your OWN eye = drives it all
home! The height of hypocrisy to “pick on” your friends
minor flaws or mistakes when your own sins are so much
worse.
The
New Testament clearly states judging is to be done by The
Father. Therefore, each of us should use our time wisely
in working out our own salvation with fear & trembling,
concerning ourselves in making our own souls “ready” for
acceptance into heaven.
Our
focus should be on our own misgivings and mistakes, [though
don’t overdo that either! You’ll have quite a time
forgiving yourself when necessary] Our focus should not be our
neighbor’s sins and flaws (brother’s, friend’s, children,
parents).
Once
our bigger problems are handled and put behind us, then
perhaps we can see more clearly to help another person (get
the speck out of his eye.)
Again,
our own righteousness (living rightly according to New
Testament instructions) should be our aim, not in
fault-finding in other people.
John
8:7 where the men heartily grabbed rocks & stones to pelt
the adulteress, and Jesus stopped them in their tracks by
saying, “he who is without sin may cast the first stone” ….
Well it surely makes us wonder just what went through those
men’s minds!! I’ve got to even think and wonder if
perhaps one of them had even been “with” her and that’s why he
knew her occupation!! [Scarlett Letter style!]
Afterall,
to many, they think repentance is about covering their
reputation! Rather than coming completely clean before
God.
My
husband’s always making jokes in and about life and with
people in general whenever situations arise that call for
it. Those who have a sense of humor or find the moment
needs to be lightened, can greatly appreciate that! I
do, and wish I had that, too. But I’m wired differently,
far more of a serious personality so the few times I try to
make light of something and/or turn it into a joke – the room
stands still!! It bombs MISERABLY!! Everyone goes
silent & stares at me….. **Egg on my face!! **
So
one time at a wholesome theme park, I was there with a
Christian group, saw someone’s ticket on the ground &
picked it up and JOKINGLY talked about how I could re-use
it. Folks, it was a JOKE!! I would never really do
that. But the lady who worked there (older, gray hair)
reminded me, “REMEMBER WHO YOU REPRESENT!”
FOUR
LITTLE WORDS!! REPROOF!! I could’ve gone on and
explained, “look!! I’m making a joke here!!” Will
admit, her words, though gentle, did have a bit of a bite to
them….. and yet, here I’ve remembered that for 25 years!!!!
What
good, sound advice!! She didn’t bawl me out per se, make
an example of me, tell me what a dirty rotten scoundrel I was
for even thinking such. Four little words!!
“Remember Who you represent!” I will thank her once
settled in heaven. No idea who she was…. But no doubt in
my mind the Lord can point her out to me. THAT was the
kind of gentle reproof I appreciate!
Hypocritical
advice: all together something different! Along
the lines of “here! I don’t have my OWN life
together & I let people down often, and I have TONS of
faults & flaws….. but let me tell you how to run YOUR
life!!”
Biblical
reproof is fine,
As
long as you correct your own sins
From
time to time
And
don’t always harp about mine!