Daily Devotion

 With Pastor Ancel Presnell

“JUDGE YOURSELF FIRST”

Romans 14:13 — “Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.”

One of the easiest mistakes Christians make is becoming focused on the liberties and convictions of other believers. We can spend so much time examining what someone else eats, drinks, attends, wears, or practices that we fail to examine ourselves. Paul turns our attention inward and tells us to stop judging one another and begin judging our own influence.

Christian liberty is a wonderful gift, but even something we have the freedom to do can become a stumbling block to another believer. Paul uses food as his example. One Christian may have complete liberty to eat something while another abstains because of a deeply rooted personal conviction. The problem begins when either believer uses his position to offend or impose upon the other.

Our critique must therefore begin with ourselves. Instead of asking why another Christian does or does not practice something, we should ask whether our own actions are helping or hindering that believer. Our liberty should never be used carelessly, and our convictions should never be imposed upon others as though they were commands from God.

Christ died for both the strong and the weak believer. Unity requires us to care enough about one another that we are willing to consider how our actions affect someone else’s walk with Christ.

Call to Action

Examine yourself before examining another Christian. Ask whether your choices are strengthening your brothers and sisters in Christ or placing something in their way.