MIND YOUR OWN FEET, WATCH YOUR OWN PATH

Dear Believer,

There is a movement that is out there causing a lot of damage to good people. The unfortunate thing is, many of those who are at the forefront of that movement claim to be Believers.

This movement is the ‘ministry of criticism and condemnation.’ More and more people are making it their primary responsibility to criticize, judge and even mock those who are doing something meaningful.

In the recent time, ministers of the gospel and the church in general has taken a hit from the self righteous activities of self appointed judges who criticize everything from giving to mode of dressing.

While there is room for questioning and even exposing the sinful excesses of deceivers, a believer must understand that he has been called to walk with God and mind his own relationship with the Holy Spirit first of all.

Always remember, Believer, that the first person to correct is you. What we see today is people covering a million faults in their own life while ‘exposing’ the faults of another person who has only two faults.

Jesus warned His disciples:

Why do you see the speck in your brother’s eye, but fail to see the beam of wood in your own? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck from your eye,’ while you yourself don’t see the beam in your own? You hypocrite! First remove the beam from your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. (Luke 6:41-42).

I am sometimes appalled at the zeal at which some people attack others when they make themselves judge over their case. We once settled a quarrel involving a brother who physically abused his wife and his mother in-law. He has also damaged their cars in a fit of anger. He acted so insensitively and arrogantly while the issue was on and didn’t act like a believer at all in that matter.

And here’s the remarkable thing. While we were yet counseling him, someone brought up a matter of some pastors who treated their wives with disrespect. Surprisingly, this brother left his own issue and began to attack pastors. “All those pastors are fake,” he said. “They are just fooling people and cheating them. We need to find a way of dealing with them! I don’t believe in any pastor!”

And there I sat, a pastor helping him to put the pieces of his fragmented home together!

He continued in his self-righteous tirade until I asked him, “Brother, what are you going to do about YOUR own family that is falling apart?” 

Those whose lamps can only see the pit in their neighbor’s path are pointing their light in the wrong direction. If you think calling attention to other people’s faults make you holier, you fool yourself big time

Let me share with you the secret behind the drive of many people engaged in the ‘ministry of criticism and mockery.’ They are generally dissatisfied with their own life that they have to run others down so that they can feel a bit good about themselves. By magnifying other people’s faults, they deflect attention away from their own multitude of sins. It is Pharisaism perfectly manifested.

Jesus is saying in the passage above that the first business a Believer must learn is to mind his own business. There is a time to correct others, but when you make it your primary ministry to find and explore the weaknesses of others, it shows that you are grossly insecure and need help.

Paul counselled Timothy:

Fix your attention on yourself and on your teaching. Continue in them, for by doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. 1 Timothy 4:16.

“Take heed to thyself and the doctrine.” (KJV). Pay attention to yourself first. Save yourself first.

Those whose lamps can only see the pit in their neighbor’s path are pointing their light in the wrong direction. If you think calling attention to other people’s faults make you holier, you fool yourself big time.

The Bible does not say, “Thy Word is a lamp unto my neighbor’s feet and light unto other people’s path.” It says “Thy Word is a lamp unto MY feet and light unto MY path.” (Psalm 119:105).

Mind your own feet, watch your own path. You have so many things to deal with, and you’d be better if you fixed them with the help of God instead of making it your life’s mission to hound other Believers and highlighting their faults.

Am I saying we cannot correct our brother who is straying? No. However, the faith that only comes alive and become vibrant when it highlights the faults of others and is unconcerned and permissive about the many errors of it’s own is a faith inherited from the Pharisees and the Sadducees. Jesus told those hypocrites, “Woe unto you!”

You are a Believer, and it is in your nature to correct in love. Do not join the gangs of uncouth, foul-mouthed and arrogantly so-called believers who spread shame.

Be blessed this new month!

Your friend,
Deon.