It is always wrong to be critical of others. However, it is necessary to see things correctly, even if it means seeing others in an unfavorable light. There is no place for pride in the church of Jesus Christ. Nevertheless, sometimes Christians become proud; we all do. Pride is the mother of ignorance. At times, we are left with no choice but to do the hard thing. "But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant." (1 Corinthians 14:38)
For nine weeks, I have been driving in a ghost town. I know that COVID 19 can be dangerous to the vulnerable and that such people should do everything necessary to keep from getting this virus. Nevertheless, right now, our country and the world are running from a bug, and by extension, life. Sometimes, my brothers are in complete agreement with me on many points of belief, but at the same time, we are trusting in different players. Jesus's disciples believed in Him and accepted Him as the one of whom the prophets spoke. All their lives, they followed the Scribes and Pharisees; then they heard Jesus speak evil of them. Eventually, they had to choose to abandon them and follow only Jesus.
Submitting to authority is good, but submitting and validating are two entirely different things, even if it's only in your own mind. Jesus warned against confusing the two. "Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, saying: "The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds..." (Matthew 23:1-3) "Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love respectful greetings in the market places, and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, who devour widows' houses..." (Luke 20:46, 47)
Some men look good outwardly, but behind the scenes, they are rotten to the depths of their hearts. Only the lowest of people would take advantage of the weakest among us. The leaders in Jesus's day devoured widows' houses. They consumed them for profit, even though it meant putting the widow on the street. I have no problem understanding that the world, "Professing to be wise, they became fools." (Romans 1:22) What always causes me to pause is when I see a brother deceived by the world. Some even follow along and give honor to them and their worldly philosophy. Jesus's sacrifice was far too costly on our behalf to live in such a way that would cause us to shrink away from Him at His coming. "Now, little children, abide in Him so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming." (1 John 2:28)WE DARE NOT PLACE CONFIDENCE IN OURSELVES"I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge, even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you, so that you are not lacking in any gift..." (1 Corinthians 1:4-6) Even though the Corinthians lacked nothing, including knowledge, Paul said, "And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, for you are still fleshly." (1 Corinthians 3:1-3)THE CHRISTIAN SHOULD NEVER TRUST WORLDLY WISDOM"Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. For it is written, "He is THE ONE WHO CATCHES THE WISE IN THEIR CRAFTINESS"; and again, "THE LORD KNOWS THE REASONINGS of the wise, THAT THEY ARE USELESS." So then let no one boast in men." (1 Corinthians 3:18-21)
The Corinthians failed to abandon institutions of foolishness and worldly-minded leaders, thereby became fools even though they had been godly wise. Pride will do it every time.
Are you trusting in the world's human knowledge, or are you seeking Spiritual wisdom coming from heaven? What difference does it make?All the difference in the world!
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