Examine Yourself

1 Corinthians 11:23-30  For I pass on to you what I received from the Lord himself. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread 24 and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, “This is my body, which is given for you.  Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.” 26 For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again.  27 So anyone who eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord unworthily is guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking the cup. 29 For if you eat the bread or drink the cup without honoring the body of Christ, you are eating and drinking God’s judgment upon yourself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and sick and some have even died.

Sunday morning, as I stood listening to the communion meditation, conviction grew in my heart.  I had been judging someone without knowing their heart. I was playing "God."  I needed to repent, and fast!  

An individual has recently come into my life that has caused me to be somewhat uncomfortable.  Certain things they do and say have left a disquiet in my soul.  Now, I believe instincts and discernment are given by the Holy Spirit to warn us and prepare us to be watchful, but judging is NOT a part of that gifting.  And I was judging.  Over the last couple of weeks I had been thinking ill thoughts toward this person, wondering when and if I was going to be confronting and what I would say and should I tell another my concerns.....

So I stood at the communion table convicted by the Holy Spirit.  I was led to ask forgiveness for my attitude and given the instructions to pray for this person.  I distinctly felt the Lord "say" to me, "You do not know this person's heart.  Pray for them."    It's funny, in that Sunday morning's Bible study we were just discussing what the Holy Spirit's leading looks like.  We are in the book of Acts and as we have seen in that book, the Holy Spirit was very active in His guiding the apostles and the early church. 

 

This was a very strong and enlightening moment for me.  I don't know a person's heart, what has gone on in their life, what their story is or what brought them to the place they are.  Only God knows all those things.  My job is to share the love of Jesus.  That's it.  Are there sometimes boundaries we need to set for safety or propriety?  Yes.  But even that can be done in kindness without judging and condemning.   I'm always so grateful for these God visits!  

Thank You Lord for teaching me again.  I have so much to learn!  Help me change my heart towards others in my world, so that instead of be judge and jury, I become their prayer warrior and great encourager.  Lead me in ways to lift up, not harm.  Lord, let us all be looking for ways to help instead of ways to condemn.  And thank You for the forgiveness that is so readily available whenever we ask.  In Jesus most loving Name.  Amen.

Examine your heart today.