One of the disconcerting things about our current cultural moment is that people seem to have gotten very good at reading other people’s minds and determining their motivations.
Among other things, this is a driving force behind cancel culture, I think.
It’s also completely void of assuming the best and giving the benefit of the doubt—in other words, anything related to a 1 Corinthians 13 kind of love.
Combine all that with an increasing tendency toward outrage and offendability—about anything and everything—and it’s no wonder our planet often seems ready to blow.
It’s easy to feel helpless about this. But surely there’s something we can do to change directions—or at least begin to try. Isn’t there?
Honestly, I don’t think it’s up to “us” or “we” or “they.” It’s an individual thing, one that each person has to decide for him or herself.
“Be the change you want to see in the world” sounds cliché, but perhaps it’s also true.
No matter the issue, it’s easy to hop on bandwagons. To be judge and jury, pundit and guru, expert and consultant.
Even if you tend to keep your opinions to yourself on social media or in person, it’s easy to go there in your mind and heart. Easy, but not especially helpful. Not edifying or encouraging. To ourselves or anyone else.
As I ponder my own struggles in this area, it comforts me to remember that there’s only one Person who can do any of this perfectly and all at once. I suppose it goes without saying, but it’s not me, it’s not you, it’s not any of us.
The Bible describes God’s omniscience—His all-knowingness—in so many ways. His “lamp sheds light on a person’s life, searching the innermost parts.” He is “the one who examines minds and hearts.” He alone knows “the hearts of all the sons of men.” He “searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts.” (Proverbs 20:27; Revelation 2:23; 1 Kings 8:39; 1 Chronicles 28:9)
Unlike any human, God sees our hearts, weighs our hearts and knows the secrets of our hearts. He understands our thoughts, He is aware of our every movement, He knows what we are going to say before we say it. (1 Samuel 16:7; Jeremiah 20:12; Proverbs 21:2; Psalm 44:21; Psalm 139:1-4)
If I truly believe all this, it has the potential to scare me to death. If I was having a face-to-face conversation with God Himself, what would He have to say about the state of my thoughts and heart over the 24 hours? Or even the last five minutes?
I don’t know the answer to that, but I have a feeling I would leave God’s presence feeling both loved and chastened. Certainly, the encounter would make me think twice before I speak or share or comment.
Someday, God will judge the righteous along with the unrighteous. (Ecclesiastes 3:17) We’ll all be asked to give an account for every idle or careless word we speak. (Matthew 12:36)
So rather than simply bemoaning all the evil in the world and wringing our hands over how bad it’s getting, perhaps we can ask God to look inside us, reveal what we should be doing—and doing differently—and empower us to do it.
If we don’t know how to begin, scripture gives us the words:
First, “Examine me, O Lord, and try me; test my mind and my heart.” (Psalm 26:2)
Then, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14)
♥ Lois
If I was having a face-to-face conversation with God Himself, what would He have to say about the state of my thoughts and heart over the 24 hours? Or even the last five minutes? Share on X Rather than bemoaning all the evil in the world and wringing our hands over how bad it’s getting, perhaps we can ask God to look inside us, reveal what we should be doing—and doing differently—and empower us to do it. Share on XP.S. I’m linking up this week with #tellhisstory, InstaEncouragements, Recharge Wednesday, Let’s Have Coffee and Grace & Truth.
Photo by Esther Ware.
20 comments
Yes, there’s plenty of work I need to let God do on ME, without me passing judgment on everyone else. May we each be the change we want to to see in the world, cliche or not. 🙂
Amen, Lisa. 🙂
Thank you, Lois for a fabulous article on a prickly subject. I couldn’t agree more, and grow weary with the judgemental attitudes all around. What I have noticed is, as we mature in Christ and deal with our own judgemental attitudes, we must never let our guard down, because our enemy is so subtil. God has been dealing with me on areas I never recognized as critical, because I thought I had “overcome” that problem…UGH, which touches the root of a critical and judgemental spirit-PRIDE.
Oh Donna … UGH is how I feel when I see these things in myself too. Just when we think we’ve mastered this or that spiritual “skill,” God gently reveals the truth about the matter. So we press toward the mark together …
“Loved and chastened.” Yes. I’m so grateful God does convict us and challenge us in order to make us more like Jesus – but so lovingly! This post is a great call to consider my own thoughts and heart on issues I’m quick to judge in! Thanks, Lois!
I’m writing to myself too, Bethany! I’m glad we’re in this together. 🙂
Amen Lois, exactly!! This is such an impactfull message. I couldn’t agree with you more.
Visiting today from Let’s Have Coffee #25
Aw … thanks, Paula. 🙂
I think you’re right-what must he think…. I must clean out my own closet (plank) first.
You and me both, Jan. 🙂
“So rather than simply bemoaning all the evil in the world and wringing our hands over how bad it’s getting, perhaps we can ask God to look inside us, reveal what we should be doing—and doing differently—and empower us to do it.”
This is exactly how I have been feeling for quite some time now. May we be praying for the Lord to step into all that is occurring in our world, in our country, and in our families. Prayer – is our most powerful response.
Amen and amen, Joanne. 🙂
Wow. Preach it, girl – ‘No matter the issue, it’s easy to hop on bandwagons. To be judge and jury, pundit and guru, expert and consultant.’
The older I get, the more I find myself without words. Lobbing my opinions less and less. Releasing my agendas.
Just listening, watching, waiting. Trying to discern what the Spirit might be whispering. Choosing compassion and grace instead of having all the answers all the time.
And hopefully when all is said and done, I’ll have fewer regrets.
I think you’re well on your way to that goal, Linda. 🙂 I find myself in a similar spot when it comes to not having as many words … when I was 20 years younger, I was much more eager to spout off all my “wisdom.” Ugh.
Yes to all of this! As frustrating as assumptions and canceling are, we can’t really do anything about the rest of society except pray and try to shine for Christ. But we have plenty to deal with when we ask God to search our own hearts. I love the thought that such an encounter with God would leave us feeling both loved and chastened.
That was a comfort to me too, Barbara. 🙂
So insightful, Lois. Len’s mom had a Dutch saying which meant, “Look at yourself and you see enough.” So true, isn’t it? I love all the verses you share here. Psalm 19:14 is often the prayer of my heart. I love this advice – “So rather than simply bemoaning all the evil in the world and wringing our hands over how bad it’s getting, perhaps we can ask God to look inside us, reveal what we should be doing—and doing differently—and empower us to do it.” Love and blessings to you!
Oh Trudy … Len’s mom really hit the crux of it with her Dutch saying, didn’t she? I’m going to remember those words. Love and hugs, dear friend.
What a wonderful post, Lois. This has been on my mind a lot in recent years. I’ve come to ask myself why I feel the need to police others—like a person’s actions can earn their salvation. Many times we are more concerned with the discomfort we feel when someone makes different decisions than the heart.
Ashley, I think “the need to police others” might be something a lot of us struggle with. And the discomfort we feel when others choose differently just might be at the root of it. Thank you for sharing this wise perspective. 🙂