Righteous Indignation

RIGHTEOUS INDIGNATION OR JUST PLAIN MEAN?

So often Christians can get what they feel is a righteous indignation at what they see as faults in other believers. They begin to feel it's their spiritual duty to point them out and share them with others. They have no understanding of the actual motivation behind what they see in the actions of others, yet they take it upon themselves to judge and gossip based on their own feelings, what they've heard and preconceived ideas.

Only God sees and understands the heart of man. Yes, if we see our brothers or sisters in the Lord involved in sin or heading in that direction, we should warn them out of our love for them, but never from a place of judgment and pride. It should especially never be shared with others under the banner of asking for them for prayer.

How many of us have been hurt by people in the church? It's sad to say but there are many mean people in our churches who may have considered themselves to be Christians for years, yet have never yielded to the transforming, rebirth process of the Holy Spirit. Their growth has been stunted by pride, lack of passion and desire to pray, nor do they study and apply the Word of God to their own lives. Jesus is LOVE and if we are truly Born Again and transformed into His image, we should be a reflection of that love to the world around us. Instead of instruments of condemnation used by the enemy to destroy the body of Christ.

So, the next time you feel “righteous” anger and indignation, analyze your heart and realize where that attitude is really coming from. Ask yourself if this is truly God's heart toward them or is it your flesh or even the enemy's lies. Pray for your brothers and sisters, speak truth and encourage them in the faith. Lift each other up and be instruments of life, not death. If we can't show love to the body of Christ and walk in the unity God has called us to, how will we win a lost and dying world that is desperate to see the love of God manifested to them through us? Draw close enough to Jesus to become a reflection of who HE is. James 4:11 (TPT) Dear friends, as part of God’s family, never speak against another family member, for when you slander a brother or sister you violate God’s law of love. And your duty is not to make yourself a judge of the law of love by saying that it doesn’t apply to you, but your duty is to obey it! 1 Corinthians 12:25-27 (NLT) This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it. 2 Corinthians 3:18 (TPT) We can all draw close to him with the veil removed from our faces. And with no veil we all become like mirrors who brightly reflect the glory of the Lord Jesus. We are being transfigured into his very image as we move from one brighter level of glory to another. And this glorious transfiguration comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 10:7 (TPT) You seem to always be looking at people by their outward appearances. If someone is confident that he belongs to Christ, he should remind himself of this: we belong to Christ no less than he does.