When you tear someone down, you are on thin ice with God. The Bible says: ‘who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God’s chosen? Who would dare point a finger? The One who died for us is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us, no way!’ (Romans 8:33-35 TM). Your fellow-believers are not perfect, but God says they ‘belong to his dear Son’ (Ephesians 1:6 NLT). There is nothing you can bring against them that God doesn’t already know. Stop and think; by discrediting them you are questioning the One who redeemed them, implying He made a mistake and doesn’t know what He’s doing. You say, ‘But shouldn’t I speak up when something is wrong?’ Yes, but be careful about overstepping your bounds and condemning the person. Your attitude should be one of helpfulness, forgiveness and reconciliation. Anytime you try to judge what you have no authority over, you are out of your jurisdiction!
Paul writes, ‘Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand’ (Romans 14:4 NIV). It is God’s job to judge others, and He doesn’t need your help to do it!
