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Mind Your Own Business - part 1 of 2Many times we place high expectations and demands on other people. Most of the time, we don’t even know we are doing it. Problems come because we don’t know their heart and we don’t know what they are capable of. Yes, God the Father puts expectations on us, but He can do this because He knows our heart and He knows what we are capable of. So, when can we put expectations on others? Not until we learn their heart and know what they are capable of. We believe that we have arrived and that everyone else should be where we are spiritually. The truth is we think more highly of ourselves than we ought, and we think more lowly of others than we ought. It is so amazing that for the most part, we have it backwards. We know ourselves better than any one else, yet we think we know others better than they know themselves. Because of this, Christians tend to lead very deceptive lives. Gal. 6:1-10 (KJV) “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. 3For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.” We are to bear one another’s burdens, so we shall fulfil the law of Christ. This takes much forbearance and compassion towards each other. It is very common for us to look upon ourselves as wiser and better than other men are, and then try to dictate to them how they should be. When this happens, we deceive ourselves by pretending to be what we are not. Sooner or later we will find that we gain respect and esteem neither with God nor from man. “4But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5For every man shall bear his own burden. 6Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. 7Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” We should mind our own business for everyone is advised to prove his own work. The better we know our own hearts and ways, the less we shall despise others, and the more we will help them under infirmities and afflictions. Sin is a spiritual burden; and the less burden a man feels, the more he needs to suspect that he is missing God. Most men are dead in their sins, and therefore have no sight or sense of the spiritual burden of sin. Many impose upon others their own convictions, yet they deceive themselves and seek to deceive God who knows their hearts as well as actions. God cannot be deceived, and He will not be mocked. “8For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” Our present time is seedtime; in the other world we shall reap as we sow now. Those who live a carnal, sensual life must expect no other fruit from such a course than misery and ruin. But those who live a life of faith in Christ by the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. Change is coming to the church and the world. Things will get hard and ugly, but we cannot give in to the flesh. We must submit our wills to Christ, and minding our own business will release us from worrying about others. -S. Chad Ross February Newsletter 2001 | Great Peace | Mind Your Own Business - part 1 of 2 Pastor's Journal February 2000 | Sow In Humility, Reap In Holiness | Inside-Out & Upside-Down - part 2 of 3
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Biblical Counseling for Leaders
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