If we are not heedful to the way the Spirit of God works in us, we will become spiritual hypocrites. We see where other folks are failing, and we turn our discernment into the gibe of criticism instead of into intercession on their behalf. The revelation is made to us not through the acuteness of our minds, but by the direct penetration of the Spirit of God.
One of the subtlest burdens God ever puts on us as saints is this burden of discernment concerning other souls. He reveals things in order that we may take the burden of these souls before Him and form the mind of Christ about them. As we intercede God is able to convey His mind to us about the one for whom we intercede. We are to get His view about the people for whom we pray.
by Oswald Chambers
i've been practicing "forming the mind of Christ" about others this week; choosing discernment, and loving others through prayer instead of quick judgment. i'm finding myself to be more in-love with people. i don't want to fight the world, i want to fight for it.
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Love this, Denise! Our minds can so easily go astray. One of the reasons I started blogging in the first place was to think on good things, not be so quick to criticize, and to really process my thoughts and take them captive. Sometimes I succeed and other times I am asking God to help me once again. He is so gracious as we are on this journey with Him. I'm going to think about interceding this week when I am faced with a critical thought.
ReplyDeleteyou are an amazing child of God.
ReplyDeletelove you , mom
Great thoughts!
ReplyDeleteWOW.
ReplyDelete'Loving others through prayer instead of a quick judgment.'
Yes I need to do more of this.
Thank you Denise.
I love this.
ReplyDeleteWe had Maundy Thursday service tonight. "Maundy" (you may already know this, sorry) comes from the Latin word meaning "mandate." As in, "A new commandment [mandate] I give to you, that you love one another as I have loved you..."
And so the Last Supper is where we first hear this command to love on another, which is repeated throughout the NT.
That struck me afresh tonight, as I considered passion week and Good Friday... and Easter. It is all so redemptive, enabling us to love God - and each other.
As we left the sanctuary in silence, I was struck by all of "us," walking together, having had communion together, looking forward to Sunday, together. I said a prayer just to say, "Lord, I really do love them... I love these people, thank you so much. Help me to love them as you love us."
We are "us!" It's not "them" that I worship with every week, even though there are times when it feels that way. What a great perspective-shifting thing to realize!
Sounds like we're learning along the same lines. I hope we keep listening and learning, despite all the noise. :)