Be gentle (2)

When someone upsets or disappoints you, God expects you to be gracious toward them instead of judgmental. The Bible says, “If someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted” (Galatians 6:1 NIV). You say, “Tempted how?” Tempted to become judgmental or “holier than thou.” That’s the wrong response. “Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling.” Instead of criticizing their faults, you’re supposed to help strengthen their faith. You set yourself up for Satan’s attack in your own areas of weakness the moment you begin to pass judgment on someone else. What’s your reaction to people when they mess up their lives? Do you say, “I told you so” or “I could see it coming” or “It serves you right” or “How could you be such a fool?” Jesus didn’t do that! His reaction to the woman caught committing adultery was full of compassion and sensitivity. He defended her publicly, then restored her privately. He was gracious, not judgmental. Why should you work at not being judgmental? Because that is the way Christ treated you. “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God” (Romans 15:7 NIV). God puts up with a lot from you, right? And if He puts up with your inconsistencies and weaknesses, you can learn to put up with other people’s shortcomings. Whenever you’re tempted to judge another person, pause and remember how much God has forgiven you. The more you recognize God’s grace to you, the more gracious you will be to others.