let's not do his job for him...

there is a book out by dave kinnaman and gabe lyons called unCHRISTian. it deals with the fact that CHRISTians are supposed to represent CHRIST to the world. but according to the latest report card, something has gone terribly wrong. using descriptions like "hypocritical," "insensitive," and "judgmental," young americans share an impression of CHRISTians that’s nothing short of...unCHRISTian.

now these are also some issues that the bible has with people who called themselves CHRISTians and here in james 4 he shows that it is in fact unCHRISTian to judge people.

verse 11 (niv), brothers, do not slander one another. anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law.

it is amazing how we as the so called family of GOD treat each other.

there are some families out there. all they do is yell at each other, put each other down. they never build each other up. all they do is criticize each other. i can't believe how some families treat each other all the time. i'm glad GOD gave me the family i have.

and james here says we're brothers, we're family. he's saying when you see another CHRISTian stumble or fall or have a tough time, you shouldn't rejoice in that because they're family. you should be concerned about it. i think a lot of times we get a little bit of glee out of it.

i heard about a guy who came to a pastor one time and said, "i don't have but one talent." the pastor asked, "what's your talent?" the man said, "i have the gift of criticism." listen, the gift of criticism does not come from the HOLY SPIRIT but from the devil and the pastor was wise and thought about the parable in the bible and said, "the guy who had only one talent went out and buried it. maybe that is what you should do with yours."

notice it says, brothers, do not slander. the word "slander" and the word "devil" are the same word in the greek. the word devil means, "slander." the bible calls satan the accuser of CHRISTIans. he's the slanderer of CHRISTians. what does this mean?

the devils number one activity is going around and putting people down, to slander them and malign them. we are most like the devil when we slander, when we speak against somebody else (including all kinds of criticisms, maligning, judging) we're doing the devils work for him. that's what the devil's job description is.

john 8:44 (niv), the devil is the father of lies. revelation says he's the accuser of brothers. it's unchristian to judge other people.

it is no wonder that the younger gerneration looks at us as CHRISTians and says if that is what it means to be a CHRISTian, no way. and james is saying the same thing.

let's build each other up not tear each other down by criticizing each other all the time. let's not do the devils job for him

just some thoughts from the front porch...