Pride and Prejudice

As a new believer, I observe my fellow Christians a lot in order to learn from them and to understand more about what it means to be a Christian. Yesterday, on the radio, I listened to the disk jockey talk about how she was faced with a dilemma. She went on a cruise and purchased two identical pairs of earrings. While wearing the first pair, she lost one of them. She originally purchased the second pair as a gift for someone back home. Her dilemma was whether to keep the second pair and get another gift for her friend or to give the second pair of earrings to her friend. There wasn't any moral dilemma necessarily as only she knew she had even bought the earrings. It was more of a personal dilemma.

The Facebook page of the disk jockey was soon inundated with posts from fellow Christians that were judgmental and harsh saying that she was selfish if she were to keep the ear rings. She observed correctly how sad it was that we, as Christians, should be without judgment of our people. It's just not our job to be judgmental or to have a holier than thou attitude.

Looking inward, I find it a constant battle to refrain from being judgmental and prejudicial of others. I think that as we walk our journey of life and build our relationship with God, we tend to be very proud of our accomplishments. Conversely, we tend to believe others should be on the same path as we are and, if they are not, we judge them harshly.

If someone appears to be walking a dangerous path in life, it is our job to connect with them and guide them, not to ridicule them and put them down.

We help each other see the light but ultimately, even God can't make us do anything. But, he can make us wish we did. He gives us the gift of free will and choices to make a difference in our lives and other's.