Anyways, Tuesday night I was doing a little reading before bed when I stumbled across this:
"Ego's ultimate weapon is to point its finger hypocritically at the teacher and his followers and say: 'No one around here seems to be living up to the truth of the teachings!' Now ego poses as the righteous arbiter of all conduct: the shrewdest position of all from which to undermine your faith, and erode whatever devotion and commitment to spiritual change you have."
I stopped reading immediately.
How many times have I looked at another Christian and thought they were a hypocrite? How many times have I judged them for not doing things my way? How many times have I accused my fellow believers of preaching the gospel with words alone, instead of with actions?
How many of those times arose from a place of self-righteousness and not true brotherly concern?
Too frequently.
While Rinpoche may be speaking of Tibetan Buddhism, the quote rings true for Christians just as much as for Buddhists. Replace ego with Satan and it works just as well.
Why change when you're better than that person?
Why try harder if you're already ahead?
Why be humble when you know more?
Why learn when you have all the answers already?
So I'm challenging myself to pay a little more attention and cut off that rant before it gets started. To listen to the still small voice behind the roaring lion of the Enemy. To spend a moment to ask what my motivation for these thoughts is. To not let the Enemy be the righteous arbiter of my conduct and my soul.
After all, it's not his to possess.
This is my first POP and I'm excited to participate!
What is POP? According to host Horseshoes & Pearls,
"The POP is a weekly blog-hop designed to bring blogger friends together on a more personal level. The Power of Prayer is an amazing thing! We all struggle with personal and daily situations where the only thing left to do is turn to God and let the Power of Prayer take over."
Every Thursday I'll be participating in the POP from now on. If you're a fellow Christian blogger , consider joining in the fun!
Thank you for participating in The POP! That passaage from your book stopped me in my tracks as I read it. So powerful. Wow. I, too, am guilty of judging other Christians and being hypocritical myself. Thank you so much for sharing this, I needed to hear it today!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed it!! I'm so excited to participate in future POPs!
DeleteAMEN!!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I love how you write. This was a very powerful post. This cut straight to the heart.
ReplyDeleteI know that I have such a tendency to look at other Christians and judge them based on their actions, completely forgetting that it is not my place to weigh their hearts. Sometimes, without even thinking about what I'm doing, I will "rank" myself against other Christians, hoping to come out on top. I have heart issues, my friend.
Thanks for posting this and for linking up with us over at The Pop! New follower :)
Thank you so much Suzanne; that means a lot to me. And I feel you on those heart issues--it's definitely a struggle for me too.
DeleteI'm a new follower of yours now too and I can't wait to link up to future POP's :)
Courtney, you are so right! It's so easy to look at other Christians and point out their sins, when your own life is just as shabby in God's eyes. I'm going to try to make it a point to find some positive thought about each person I inadvertently judge. Praying for you this week!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the prayers!! I may have to steal that idea about finding something positive in everyone I judge :)
DeleteThis is true, many of us have those thoughts. I am so glad you put it out there. I am working so hard to control my mouth...which I have done pretty well at(Glory to God). My mind is a whole other ball game. I want to have a heart like Christ and see people as he does, but it is always a challenge. A friend of mine told me last year to try and look at the 80% Good and not the 20% bad, I need to get back to doing that, not only with fellow believers but even with strangers. Thanks for posting this with POP.
ReplyDelete