Spreading Poison

"In the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and the measure you use for others will be used for you. Why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye and not see the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother: 'Come, let me take the speck from your eyes,' as long as the plank is in your own? Hypocrite, take first the plank out of your own eye, then you will see clear enough to take the speck out of your brother's eye." - Matthew 7:2-5

I'm really ashamed to say right now that in Jesus' eyes, I'm a hypocrite. I am guilty of judging others and gossiping behind their backs, criticizing and putting down. But now, through this process of getting to know God better and getting to know myself better, I am growing into a healthier person. Psychologists will tell you that what you don't like about someone is what you don't like about yourself. I believe that criticizing others always has to do with our own problems with ourselves. I know that each time I put someone down, it was because I felt bad about myself. Maybe I was feeling insecure and felt better by putting someone else down. Maybe I was having trouble with something and felt better when someone else was having trouble. Maybe I was even jealous that someone else was happy and I wasn't. It never had to do with the other person, it was always a problem I had with myself. The worst part about it is that we never keep the venom to ourselves. Whenever we gossip, it's done with someone else, so I would also help spread the poison… another sin to add to my list.

I really am ashamed of my words and am trying my hardest to be who God wants me to be. None of us has the right to say anything about anybody because we don't know where they're coming from, nor are any of us perfect. Instead, whenever we feel we are going to judge or criticize someone, let's bring that energy to God, so that He can work on whatever is inside of us that needs attention or needs healing.

Today's Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I am so sorry for the times I've spoken badly about others or put them down. Heal me of my wounds and insecurities, so I can be a medium of peace and not of poison. In Your Name we pray, amen.

Judging To Conclusions

"Jesus stayed in Jerusalem during the Passover Festival and many believed in His Name when they saw the miraculous signs He performed. But Jesus did not trust Himself to them, because He knew all of them. He had no need of evidence about anyone for He Himself knew what there was in each one." - John 2:23-25

A lot of times what we say or do is interpreted by others as meaning something we really didn't intend it to. And how many times do we judge what someone does, take something the wrong way, and get angry about it? This is jumping to conclusions, or actually judging to conclusions, and Jesus warns us serveral times in the gospels not to do it. What is in our hearts is only known to ourselves and most importantly, to God. In Jerusalem, Jesus didn't trust anyone that wanted to spend time with Him or invite Him over because He knew exactly what their intentions were and what was in their hearts. Unlike us, who need to see proof of someone's intentions or evidence in order to really know them, Jesus didn't need any to know the people. Imagine if Jesus weren't God and misjudged all of the people in Jersusalem, thinking they had bad intentions. Imagine all the people that would be unfairly judged on account of an uneducated assumption. We have people misjudge us and we misjudge people. We don't know better and we hardly know what we feel ourselves sometimes, so what right do we have to judge what another person says or does? Thank God that He knows us even when others judge us unfairly. He still knows the truth in our hearts. Jesus says that by the same measure we measure others, we will be measured. We all sincerely need to reevaluate how we measure people and give them all a lot of slack so that God doesn't judge us according to how we judge others.

Today's Prayer:
God, I am only human and make mistakes in judging Your people. Forgive me and teach me how to better my understanding of others instead of assuming I know what they really feel or think. And help me be strong those times I am unfairly judged. Defend me Lord against those who misjudged my words and my actions. In Your Name we pray, amen.

Gossiping, First Impressions and Talking Behind Backs

"Do not let them wink maliciously - those who hate me without cause. But it is You, O Lord, who see the truth. Do not keep silent. Do not stand afar off." - Psalm 35:19,22

Although I try to keep a thick skin, something that really hurts me is to hear when people say things behind my back, or I hear they have a different impression of me than who I really am. I've heard so many people say about me that I'm conceited when the truth is that I'm actually really shy and feel intimidated in groups of 3 or more people. Gossiping is something we've all been guilty of but ever since I've been trying to move closer to God, it's something I want to let go of completely. God keeps reinforcing that each and every one of us is His child and until we accept that, we put up walls that prevent us from forming true friendships with people. It's so easy to meet someone and just think "uhg, I can't stand this person," but a lot of times, there is someone really great behind that first impression, or first few impressions. People change, for the better or the worst. Someone you probably couldn't stand in the past has learned from their mistakes and is now a great person. We should always give someone a shot because God could be bringing a great friendship into your life that you're not being open to. And if you're the one right now being brushed off by someone, remember that God loves you and if your intentions are good, no matter how you are perceived, God will clear your name.

Today's Prayer:
Lord God, You know how my heart hurts when others judge me negatively. And I know You feel the same way when I judge others. Please open the eyes of our hearts so that we could see past these layers around a person and into who they really are. In Your Name we pray, amen.