SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 8
“You
do not know what manner of spirit you are of.” LK 9:55 NKJV
A JUDGMENTAL SPIRIT (6)
One day Jesus went into a Samaritan village and was
not well received. So the disciples said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire
to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?’ But He turned
and rebuked them, and said, ‘You do not know what manner of spirit you are of.
For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them’” (vv.
54-56 NKJV).
What’s at work in this story? A judgmental spirit. A poll taken by the Barna Research Group
reveals that today most nonbelievers view Christians as too judgmental. So you
can be sincere, nut too severe. When you mix and mingle only with those who
share your views and values, you can communicate with others in ways that
attack, rather than attract. Let’s be clear; never has it been more important
to know the truth of God’s Word and stand for it. But if you have the right
doctrine and the wrong spirit, you’ll drive more people out of their own
hearts. “Jesus said…’You shall love your neighbors yourself” (Mt 19:19 NKJV).
That includes your non-Christian neighbor. You don’t have to defend Jesus, or “sell”
Him. All you have to do is introduce Him. The Psalmist says, “Taste and see
that the Lord is goof” (Ps 34:8 NKJV).
Taken
from The Word for You Today devotional.
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