If I say that to them, if I comment about it, speak it aloud, or even if I only entertain thoughts about someone, my first thoughts would be it would be a sin against them, not, it would be a sin against God.
Does that describe you?
When we become more concerned with possibly offending others than dishonoring our Father in heaven, we fulfill this verse.
“For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” (John 12:43)
When instead our thoughts should surround Galatians 1:10.
“For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.”
If you seek to serve the Living God, if you are always speaking truths in context, if you have verified that log is not in your eye and that speck is indeed in theirs, then nearly every time that you allow words to pass your lips, you are going to offend someone.
I ask a question well worth contemplation, and it is in relation to the verse that follows, if your brother or sister in Christ has a fault known to you, and they will not confess it, should you bring it into the conversation?
“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (James 5:16)
Immediately in the minds of many that word “judging” just came into their minds. They bypass the verse about judging with righteous judgment, about not judging because they are doing the same, about that log and speck, and concentrate only on one verse.
“Judge not, that ye be not judged.” (Matt. 7:1)
And so, the one we are sure that we are going to spend eternity with in the Kingdom of the Everlasting God with is not helped, is left to their own devices, and not because we do not want to assist them in love, but instead because of the possible repercussions upon ourself, because judging has become an evil, reprehensible word to the community of born again believers.
“Wouldn’t want to possibly offend, would we? God knows about it, let Him help them, it’s none of my business.”
There have been times I have verified all the facts, done diligent research, checked within my own heart and not seen the pressure of that particular sin in my life, and brought up the fault, even the sin, of one in the midst of the congregation, and heard nothing but the ticking of the clock after doing so. Received aghast looks, because apparently open sin is not to be brought out in the open to those who profess to love each other.
We confess our sins to the Almighty, we are to confess our faults to each other, but we do not want to do that, do we?
“A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” (Prov. 17:17)
Private, hidden from view, discussed only with the pastor, and then only after he has been sworn to secrecy. And then we sit in the assembly as if everything is fine and dandy.
We will not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, but we will not confess our faults to one another, and rarely will we ever judge with righteous judgment, for any judgment may be cast back upon us.
The epitome of selfishness.
And we sit there, singing songs of praise, pretending like everything is all right, because what would people think of me if they knew the truth about me?
“But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.” (Numb. 32:23)
Not if you can help it won’t be found out, will it?