Bashing?

I work hard at not getting angry and praying when I feel the anger rising in me….So now I pray that as I write…you will feel the compassion and disgust in this one post. I have compassion for people who do not know Jesus. My desire is for people to know, love and serve the God I know and have a personal relationship with.

I am as guilty as anyone at times of “judging” and putting myself in a “holier than thou” seat. I hope at 52 that I have learned NOT to DO THAT!!! Yes, the one thing God has shown me from personal experience and an intimate relationship with Jesus….is to LOVE THE SINNER, or the one who doesn’t know Him, even if they think they do but are misguided!

NO one desires to know a God who causes anyone to hate and bash and be backed into a corner. Most people, when backed into a corner, come out fighting. The newly crowned Miss America is a good example. I have no idea if she is a believer in Jesus. I have seen many Facebook posts bashing her because she worked temporarily at an abortion clinic. I DO NOT believe in nor condone abortion. I think it is wrong. But I also believe that to hate or bash someone publicly does nothing to help that person come to know a loving God who forgives and desperately wants a relationship with that person!

It is only when that individual comes to know a loving and forgiving God that they can experience a heart change and then a mind change through the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

My experience tells me to take the time I would spend in writing and bashing and use it to pray for that person instead! Pray for her year to be filled with experiences that would lead her to Christ or convictions that will change her mind. Attacking someone will never lead them to know the Christ that you say you love!

If you look at the book of Acts, you will see story after story of the church growing. Read for yourself what is said about the early church and the men who were sharing Christ. Let me give you one example from chapter 11 verses 23 and 24. “When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.”

What kind of man was he? A good man–not a basher.
Full of what? The Holy Spirit and faith–not full of anger.
What was the result? Many people became believers.

Isn’t that what we want? For people to know, have an intimate relationship with, our Lord and Savior?

The Bible talks about speaking the “truth in love!” Is publicly bashing and calling out someone an example of speaking the truth in love? I have never in 52 years of living seen anyone want to know Christ from seeing someone else’s anger or frustration. As Christians, where do we take our anger and frustration? To the feet of Jesus and leave it there. Spending enough time there to “have direction from a Holy God” on how to love and pray…then we stand up and “OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD,” NOT bashing….I am writing to myself here as well. I have been guilty of this very thing in the “front 9” of life.

Our youth pastor, Frank Shimkus, just preached on the verse found in scripture on “LOVING YOUR ENEMIES”…. If you are offended by someone who does not share your belief in Jesus……and it causes you to feel that they are your enemy …….LOOK at this scripture……..in Matthew 5:43-46,

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?”

As Christians, we are called to be different. I love God and His Word. I hate to think of the things people do that hurt themselves and God. The Bible is clear on what we should do as Christians. Let us all defer to what God says to do and check our anger and disgust at the feet of Jesus!

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  • Bravo Sherry! And let the “no bashing” rule apply to our college football players as well. They are young and most are doing the best they can!