One Sabbath day as Jesus was walking through some grainfields, his disciples began breaking off heads of grain to eat. But the Pharisees said to Jesus, "Look, why are they breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath?"
—Mark 2:23-24 NLT
Some people watch others who are committed to Christ only trying to find fault in them. Critical sniping at Jesus' followers — nitpicking, as I call it — is not a virtue. Jesus condemned judging others' hearts on the basis of traditions and from a harsh spirit, looking to catch them in minor points of the law (Matthew 15:1-3). The way we judge others is then the standard of judgment used on us by God (Matthew 7:1-2). As Christians, we have been liberated from law-keeping; let's also liberate ourselves from a harsh, judgmental, and nitpicky spirit. May the legalistic, critical spirit that made some of the Pharisees so harsh not be found among us!
Holy God, forgive me and help me leave behind a critical, harsh spirit of judgment. Teach me to be gracious, and never let my faith get lost in legalistic, critical Pharisaism. In the name of the LORD Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Ⓒ 1996-2024 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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—Mark 2:23-24 NLT
Key Thought
Some people watch others who are committed to Christ only trying to find fault in them. Critical sniping at Jesus' followers — nitpicking, as I call it — is not a virtue. Jesus condemned judging others' hearts on the basis of traditions and from a harsh spirit, looking to catch them in minor points of the law (Matthew 15:1-3). The way we judge others is then the standard of judgment used on us by God (Matthew 7:1-2). As Christians, we have been liberated from law-keeping; let's also liberate ourselves from a harsh, judgmental, and nitpicky spirit. May the legalistic, critical spirit that made some of the Pharisees so harsh not be found among us!
Today's Prayer
Holy God, forgive me and help me leave behind a critical, harsh spirit of judgment. Teach me to be gracious, and never let my faith get lost in legalistic, critical Pharisaism. In the name of the LORD Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
Ⓒ 1996-2024 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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