• Starting today August 7th, 2024, in order to post in the Married Couples, Courting Couples, or Singles forums, you will not be allowed to post if you have your Marital status designated as private. Announcements will be made in the respective forums as well but please note that if yours is currently listed as Private, you will need to submit a ticket in the Support Area to have yours changed.

How do you view others?

Jump to latest Follow Reply
Sort by date Sort by votes

bvwsmaker

Randy loves his wife Cathy!!!
Aug 26, 2005
6,125
2,855
64
Maine
Visit site
✟37,784.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
I've been convicted lately that I don't view others the same way that God does. Especially Christians! I think my expectations that I have of them (especially mature ones) might not be in line with what God expects of them. I don't think I know how to view others consistantly in grace or if I do, it's selective.

Since I tend to be cynical and pessimistic, I seem to always be looking for the worst in people and I do find it. And I'm starting to think this is not fair to them!!!

I'd like to change this thinking. My February study will be "Who are they?" and I'll be looking at Christians from an identity standpoint. Perhaps that will permit me to see the Holy Spirit in them and see the positive things in their lives. And perhaps the weaknesses that I "discern" could be turned into opportunities to serve them!

I think this has been the biggest roadblock to my struggles of trust.

So, does anyone else struggle with viewing others like God does?
 
N

NorwayUnn

-
Sep 6, 2005
25,319
5,560
68
Norway, near the sea
✟53,493.00
Gender
Female
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Good post!

My heart's prayer is simple ''Lord Jesus, help me see others through Your eyes''. When we see how much we need Jesus and His forgiveness and love in our lives, we should look at others with merciful eyes. Grace is something we all need every day in our lives. We are here to worship Jesus and edify our brothers and sisters in Him and do our best to serve not only the ones we fellowship with in church, but our community and people in need.
 
Reactions: bvwsmaker
Upvote 0

MN John

Well-Known Member
Oct 23, 2005
108,626
3,525
Gallifrey to Trenzalore
✟45,611.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
I've been thinking about the tongues ability to either edify or tear down. But you're right, the words are one thing but there's also the thoughts and attiudes behind the words. Negativity is insidious and it's important to allow god to reign in our thoughts, attitudes, and words.

Bless you, brother.
 
Reactions: bvwsmaker
Upvote 0
M

MMXII

Guest
bvwsmaker, to open yourself up to self improvement is a great thing. I pray that I have that open heart.

I too tend to place "Christians" under a microscope. I've been learning over the years to be more accepting of other peoples views and their theology. I may not agree with them but I am commanded to love them. For me the commandment to love comes a bit harder. But if you are like me and have been hurt by christians, it's hard to see them through God's eyes. If you have any insight, please share.

Thank you for your thought provoking posts.
 
Upvote 0

c1ners

Senior Contributor
Dec 12, 2005
14,753
1,725
60
US
✟38,477.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
My oldest daughter works in a christian bookstore. She says that most Christians are harsh and judgemental. It's a sad thing. We should be the ones showing love and compassion, yet instead we seem to look for the evil and be the first ones to point it out!

I'm not saying you guys are that way. I'm not in here often enough to say anything like that. Just Christians in general.
 
Reactions: bvwsmaker
Upvote 0

Tattered

Chocolate for Brains
Dec 2, 2005
1,684
89
64
Colorado
✟17,269.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
I seem to have the opposite reaction to people. I tend to give people the benefit of the doubt until they prove otherwise and then I can't help but be surprised at bad behaviour. ... yep, pollyanny, that's me ... I guess I tend to put Christians up on a pedestal.
 
Reactions: bvwsmaker
Upvote 0

bvwsmaker

Randy loves his wife Cathy!!!
Aug 26, 2005
6,125
2,855
64
Maine
Visit site
✟37,784.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
Do you ever wonder if it boils down to how much love we're receiving from God? First John 4:19 says "We love because He first loved us." That should motivate us to love, right? But what if we're taking that for granted? Or just forget just how perfect and amazing that love truly is?

Maybe we fail to see others as someone that God loves. If we're in that failure of proper perception, then how are we seeing others? Are they obstacles? Or maybe we don't think they're deserving? But that would make us deceived because we weren't deserving either! Or have we forgotten that?
 
Upvote 0

Tricia4Jesus

when you wish upon a star...
Oct 31, 2005
6,437
158
Southern California
✟29,858.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Private
Politics
US-Republican

I tend to do the same thing, and then when my brothers and sisters let me down, I have to fight the urge to not take the gloves off and duke it off with them, figuratively speaking of course. I try to see them through God's eyes, but then again, their actions start affecting me and well, I begin to stumble. Then before I know it, I am stumbling everyone around me.
 
Upvote 0

Shalico2007

Jesucristo es el Rey! Que Dios te Bendiga!
Oct 30, 2004
22,859
8,816
✟124,214.00
Gender
Female
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Private
Politics
US-Others
I think that we can all tend to make snap judgments from time to time. But I try to give people the same chance that I would expect them to give me, and I think that's what God would expect out of any of us. The key word is try.
 
Upvote 0
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

I am struggling to understand choice in salvation in Lutheranism
Replies
2
Views
264
Theologia Crucis - Lutherans
Daniel9v9
Is Christian Libertarianism Consistent With Voting? A Personal View.
Replies
14
Views
751
General Politics
Grafted In
G
I am struggling with the other side's typical answers on issues.
Replies
35
Views
1K
One Bread, One Body - Catholic
FaithT
T
Advice for adjusting to a newborn
Replies
7
Views
850
Requests for Christian Advice
Joy Allen
"Do-nothings"
Replies
2
Views
290
Prayer Wall
Songs_Of_Solomon
Menu
Log in
Register