1 Corinthians 4:3-5 - Finger Pointing

Finger pointing. It's so easy. It's in the news. FaceBook puts it at a level that can be all too personal. People voice opinions about the pandemic and how it's being handled. Then there are the racial tensions. As soon as someone voices an opinion, we assume we know their motives.

The apostle Paul wrote:
"As for me, it matters very little how I might be evaluated by you or by any human authority. I don’t even trust my own judgment on this point. My conscience is clear, but that doesn’t prove I’m right. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide. So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due." 1 Corinthians 4:3–5 (New Living Translation)

In the larger context (particularly with the Corinthians), Paul does discern good speech from bad speech, good behavior from bad behavior. He refuses to judge people's motives. He will not because he cannot.

Beyond the latest national disagreements and politics, we deal with this at a personal level. There's someone that we think is next to God, and we assume they have the best of motives. Someone else rubs us the wrong way it's "demonic." We even fool ourselves as to what's in our hearts, both good and bad.

The truth is we don't know. God does. And everyone's motives will be revealed on the last day. Including yours; including mine. 

Lord, who knows all things: Keep us from the stupidity of making assumptions about others' motives. Search my own heart: affirm the good motives and sift out the bad motives. I want to be excited to see You when You return to earth. Amen.