I was convicted recently about the way I look at others. Sometimes it's as if I am looking for things to be unforgiving about. I don't believe this is intentional on my part, but it's almost as if since I expect someone to do something wrong, I naturally gravitate towards looking for it. My mind then can say, "See, I knew they'd do...." What is wrong with us humans!!!
Since I've heard this conviction in my heart, I've been more aware of my thought behavior. And I know that I need to confess this as sin and turn to reject this negative judgy attitude. The rest of the world does not need my scrunity.
I'd kind of like to know why we do this. Perhaps we need to see others in a more negative way so we ourselves are built up. It's a self-esteem problem. I'm sure there are as many reasons for this way of thinking as there are people who engage in it.
Anyway, so now that I know this behavior exists it's time to change it. And the way we do that is through seeking God's help. Hebrews 4:16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. God will give us help if we ask. The Holy Spirit is within us and His power is available to us who believe. Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” The Holy Spirit is there to help us overcome this weakness of mind. Romans 8:26 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. When these judgemental thoughts come we need to reject them outright. 2 Corinthians 10:5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. When we allow them to ruminate in our minds, we need to quickly repent of them. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. The Bible tells us what our thought life should be like. Philippians 4:8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Romans 8:5 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.
Every time a thought comes into our head we have a choice whether to let it stay there, rolling around and around until it becomes our reality, or we can reject it, turning the channel to godly thoughts and ponderings, and thus seeing others as God sees them, through the lens of love. We can ask the Holy Spirit to remind us of the good things about a person and practice that mind action. We can ask the Lord to help fill us with His love for them. And we can pray for the person we are having negative thoughts about. Scripture and prayer are powerful weapons against wrong thinking and judgemental attitudes.
Satan wants nothing more than to divide God's people, be it in marriages, friendships, or the church. When we are divided, he wins. Let's not give him that victory. Let's let our thoughts follow kindness. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Walking in love starts in the mind.
Lord, forgive us for having unforgiving thoughts. When they come to us, help us reject them and turn our minds towards Your way of seeing others. This is such an ingrained habit for some of us. And I, for one, confess it right now as sin and seek Your forgiveness. We come boldly before Your throne to receive the help we need to order our thoughts correctly and lovingly. Oh Lord, thank You that You don't think on me the way I sometimes think on others. Humble our minds to lift others up. Help us to look at what others do right, for the ways that they bless and care for us. Let us see them as You do. Thank You for teaching us the way to think, the way that not only brings peace with others, but also within ourselves. You are so wise, so gracious in all You do. And we are so blessed to be Your children. It's in Jesus Name we pray. Amen.
Use Scripture to combat negative thoughts towards us and pray for them instead of judging.
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