Treat Me Right ... Please!?

All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit. 

 Proverbs 16:2 ESV

In other words, you might think you are justified in your actions, but God knows your motives.

In a time where people are scrutinized for their decisions all day long, this little verse brings with it some sense of justice and peace.

We watch the news and see politicians get reamed for their choices. Local government officials are judged not by outcomes but by proposals of intent. Neighbors are looked down on for whatever affronts they are causing you. Your boss earns your condemnation whenever he says something to you that you don’t like. And let’s not forget what your saying about your spouse behind their back.

In all of these situations, we are judging the intent of a man. This is a hard thing not to do, isn’t it? I know that I have sinned (wronged) against people a multiple of times by doing this. Bottom line is this: I cannot know the intent of some one’s heart; only God does. Whenever I allow my anger to rise up, I buy back into that old way of thinking as in, “I can’t believe they are doing this to me!?” I haven’t even seen the outcome of the decision, but I am quick to get all hostile about it. I am pathetic…

Here’s why I refuse to keep failing at this. God says,

“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven;” Luke 6:37 ESV

I mean all through the Scripture, we get the same warning: Don’t do it unless you want the same set of standards placed on you. You see, that’s where it gets me every time. God tells me in that little voice in my head, “Do you really want me holding you to the same set of ridiculous standards you hold everyone else?” And I’m like, “Um, nope.” So then I am off and asking for forgiveness … Again…

At the end of the day, God knows the intent of men. We can’t hide it from Him. There is also a sense of peace that comes with this. By believing that God is truly sovereign and that everything works for and according to His purposes frees you from trying to have that feeling of control.

Let God do the judging; you got enough to contend with everyday...

Grace and Peace to you!