When we have a critical attitude, we become judge, jury and executioners at the same time. This kind of criticism destroys, not build. In 2 Corinthians 10:13, Paul states, "For this reason I write these things while I am away from you, that when I come I may not have to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down."
God gave him the authority for the purpose of the construction of people and not for overturning them. We find a better understanding of this in 1 Corinthian 8:1, where it teaches us that love builds up.
We are accustomed to judge with human standards and when we do this, especially with those who are close to us, we place a barrier, which does not allow others to flourish. It's easy to focus on the faults of others and what we would like to change in them, but God is the one who gives us the talent, the creativity and the strength. "But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand," Isaiah 64:8.
Our job is not to change others. It is to love, to forgive, to encourage and to sow the seeds of God's love, His laws and His word (The Bible). The labor of change is God's work and that of the Holy Spirit. God will not force His way into our hearts, nor should we try to force His ways unto others. God knocks at the door of your heart, He DOES NOT force it open, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me," Revelation 3:20.
The Holy Spirit changes us and fills us with the capacity to to forgive, to deter from sin and to simply live a Christian life. The Holy Spirit acts as a guide that tells us what to do and what not to do, where to go and where not to go, while fillings us with the willing desire to love and glorify and love God and each other.
Let us, instead, work towards:
* Encouraging each other, 1 Thessalonians 5:11
* To have self awareness of our own spiritual walk, Matthew 7:1-5
* To exhort one another with love, Hebrews 3:13
* To avoid trying to change others into something they are not or not willing to accept, Romans 10:10-17
that is awesome stuff Carmen.
we have become a bit of a culture of complainers, whiners, and criticizers.
people just cant restrain their propensity to pick holes in others.
I say enjoy their finest qualities and forget or ignore their bad qualities.
none of us will ever be perfect.
When we have a critical attitude, we become judge, jury and executioners at the same time. This kind of criticism destroys, not build. In 2 Corinthians 10:13, Paul states, "For this reason I write these things while I am away from you, that when I come I may not have to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down."
God gave him the authority for the purpose of the construction of people and not for overturning them. We find a better understanding of this in 1 Corinthian 8:1, where it teaches us that love builds up.
We are accustomed to judge with human standards and when we do this, especially with those who are close to us, we place a barrier, which does not allow others to flourish. It's easy to focus on the faults of others and what we would like to change in them, but God is the one who gives us the talent, the creativity and the strength. "But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand," Isaiah 64:8.
Our job is not to change others. It is to love, to forgive, to encourage and to sow the seeds of God's love, His laws and His word (The Bible). The labor of change is God's work and that of the Holy Spirit. God will not force His way into our hearts, nor should we try to force His ways unto others. God knocks at the door of your heart, He DOES NOT force it open, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me," Revelation 3:20.
The Holy Spirit changes us and fills us with the capacity to to forgive, to deter from sin and to simply live a Christian life. The Holy Spirit acts as a guide that tells us what to do and what not to do, where to go and where not to go, while fillings us with the willing desire to love and glorify and love God and each other.
Let us, instead, work towards:
* Encouraging each other, 1 Thessalonians 5:11
* To have self awareness of our own spiritual walk, Matthew 7:1-5
* To exhort one another with love, Hebrews 3:13
* To avoid trying to change others into something they are not or not willing to accept, Romans 10:10-17
Great post, fancymeny,
I wholeheartedly agree. All of the energy people put into dissecting other people's faults is a waste of time.
I especially like the part about how it's not our place to try to change others. Live and let live. Trying to impose your will upon others is distasteful.
It is not our job to transform or to try to change people. Our main goal, as children of God is to love. Love God above all things and love one another. We are too seared with our own interpretation of what love is, thus the reason why we fail in many arrears of our lives. I can only plant seeds and pray that whatever seeds I plant falls in fertile ground so that it may grow to honor and glorify our One and Only living God.
that is a great post Carmen.
Thank you Clay. For the honor and glory of God.
Carmen Emma's cafe is our chat place.
please feel free to stop by there anytime.
at Camelot, you rule. post anywhere you please and enjoy yourself.
I am glad you found Camelot.
this is just too cool.
your place is growing already.
wonderful stuff.
Actually, Camelot found me.
We found each other!
Thank you Carmen for the lovely and meaningful threads. Love it.
How so?
I am interested in how you came to Camelot.
I'm glad you Came you have brought a lot to this special society.
I have an online friend for many years, Laurice, who is friends with Clay Death. Through a posting on her FB page he friend requested me and invited me to join CamelotEliteTennis. I'm glad I did.
we are all glad that you are here lady Carmen.
we are in the infancy stage. some stable growth is not too far away.
no telling what this place will look like in a year but I know we will all get to enjoy it.
it is just good clean fun and also a learning experience for all of us.