By Grace Oji
No, He doesn't say we shouldn't try to correct others...
"Stop judging me"
These words are the summary and conclusion of a chat between two ladies that went viral on a social media platform. The one who accused the other of judging was about to commit paternity fraud and needed a supporter. The accused was not going to be her sister-in-arms and pointed out how wrong she was.
Everyone knows how facing the rod of correction isn't like having an ice cream in warm weather. It doesn't necessarily offer a sense of relief but rather a rude awakening to the knowledge of what has been done wrong. This correction process hits so hard that people can begin to feel they are unloved and unwelcomed. Hence they resort to finding some comfort by accusing the person who is attempting to show them how wrong they are of judging. (Besides there are two types of judgements we need to be aware of.
Read Also: WE SHOULD NOT JUDGE, BUT WE SHOULD JUDGE
God has given us the answer to this long standing debate.
God allows us to correct one another.
2 Timothy 4:2 (KJV)
"Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine."
In other words, be ready at all times to give the word and help people live right. This message was given to Timothy as a young leader in the early church. And it is to present-day believers too, correction is part of the brotherly love that needs to be part of the church of God. The Bible also says, 'Intreat him as a father...the young women as sisters...' in summary treat fellow believers as you would do your family by blood, even when you need to point out their wrongs.
And there are warnings He has given in case we feel like turning a blind eye.
Proverbs 24:11-12 (KJV)
"If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain;
If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?"
Maybe if we focus more on how people are being destroyed by their deeds than on how much favour before them we stand to loose, we will have more confidence to show them the right way. We can ask that God give us a river of this grace to speak up boldly where and when we need to.
And we must learn to do it right.
Galatians 6:1 (KJV)
"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted."
Let your inner person be filled with love for the person you're trying to correct. Let there be the pure desire to see them walk uprightly. Let it never become a chance to put them down.
Let your manners and methods of correction not be suggestive of pride. Within you let there be no haughtiness and arrogance, only humility.
1 Corinthians 10:12 (KJV) Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
Let your stance be on the Word of God not on the traditions of men. An example is where a family insists on a woman bearing children for the man before any plan for marriage is in place. According to the family sex between unmarried people is good and can't be done without, but according to God it is sinful and destructive to the soul.
God has all power and judges everything, therefore we must follow His wisdom and principles as the sheep follow the shepherd.
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