but i’m right and you are wrong…

proverbs 13.10 (nlt), pride leads to conflict.  all conflict is, is ego, pride.  when margaret and i have a conflict it’s because i’m proud and i don't want to admit i was wrong or she was proud and she doesn’t want to admit she was wrong or we’re both proud and we both don’t want to admit we are wrong.

pride guarantees conflict at work, church, home school, wherever.  selfishness – we want things for ourselves.

james 4.11-12 (niv), brothers, do not slander one another.  anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it…there is only one lawgiver and judge, one who is able to save and destroy.  but you, who are you to judge your neighbor?

another source of conflict is judging others – judgmentalism.  all of us are guilty of judgmentalism.  GOD says, “don’t judge people.”  if you do this you’re going to have a fight.  you’re always finding fault, always stirring up strife, always spreading rumors.  don’t judge. 

why?  why should i not judge?

1.  i’m not GOD.  when you judge somebody it’s playing GOD.  there is only one judge, only one lawgiver – GOD.

2.  only GOD has all the facts, you don’t and neither do i.  when i judge you, i don’t have all of the facts.

3.  i don’t know the motives.  and you don’t either.  you can’t tell what’s in somebody’s heart.  you don’t know.  only GOD does.

so only GOD has the right to judge.  HE has all the facts; HE knows everything.  HE knows all the motives; HE sees into our heart; HE’s got the truth so HE can judge.  but we are limited in our insight.  we don’t have any right to judge.

GOD says selfishness and judgmentalism causes conflict.  GOD’s says selfish and judgmental people are immature.

just a thought from the front porch…