CONDEMNATION, PRIDE & LOVE
So I was reading the book of Romans 14 and a verse caught my attention.
Verse 13 in The Passion Translation [TPT] says; ‘So stop being critical and condemning of other believers, but instead determine to never deliberately cause a brother or sister to stumble and fall because of your actions.’
I paused and started thinking to myself, ‘Are there believers that exhibit what that scripture says?’, I also asked myself if I have done this to another believer. At that moment, I cried for mercy.
I think the answer is yes; some believers unknowingly condemn others and I believe that the root is PRIDE.
Pride has to do with ‘a feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one’s own achievements.’ or when you think you are better than others in a way or form.
Romans 12:3 says; ‘God has given me grace to speak a warning about pride. I would ask each of you to be emptied of self-promotion and not create a false image of your importance. Instead, honestly assess your worth by using your God-given faith as the standard of measurement, and then you will see your true value with an appropriate self-esteem.’
With this scripture as a background, how can this behavior/character trait be curbed?
Simple. With Love.
1 Corinthians 13:4–7 gives us the characteristics of love we are to exhibit when relating with others especially in relation to this topic.
If we love as Jesus commanded us in Matthew 22:36–40, then there wouldn’t be room for condemning or setting a stumbling block for others or for pride.
There is enough space in the sky for all of us, so let’s succeed together.
With Love,
Isiorono.
