People Do Act Foolishly.
A relative and I were talking about how Jesus said not to call anyone a “fool.” We had another family member being foolish, and they had many reasons to justify their behavior. We concluded that sometimes people are truly foolish, and Proverbs lists all kinds of bad things that happen to them. Yet we are still not supposed to call them a fool. Why not???
Godly Kindness
We decided we were supposed to pray for foolish people and to show kindness, as Jesus did. Proverbs even says foolish people will not listen to wise counsel. So, we are just wasting our time trying to correct bad behavior. It does not mean we don’t speak the truth, nor does it mean we should reward bad behavior. Instead, we are supposed to be kind and patiently pray for them.
I remember being more convicted by a kind person being kind to me after I was sinful and foolish, instead of the condemning Christian treating me like a scumbag. When I became a Christian, one of the first things I prayed for was for Jesus to please make me a kind Christian instead of one of the mean, condemning types. I realize now that even I can be blind to my own foolishness. It is wrong for me to consider someone else a fool. We all fall short of God’s glory. Our thoughts are foolish compared to God’s thoughts.
Our Emotional Response
I have noticed that it is very hard to be nice to people without condemning them, especially if we label them foolish. Some people can be so annoying. They seem to know what they are doing is annoying and offensive, and that’s why they do it. We need Jesus to help us look beyond our emotional response and to pray for God’s grace, praying according to God’s will for everyone.
I saw a sermon on YouTube this weekend where the pastor said more people would come to know Jesus if Christians were kind to unbelievers. We need Jesus to help us be kind to others. The devil knows how to use people to make us angry and frustrated.
My point is to pray that we, as Christians, and our families will be more like Jesus. He is the only one who has the patience to be kind to all people, and we rarely ever see when we are wrong… until Jesus starts working on us to be better.
More Like Jesus
Holy Father, help us be more like Jesus and be kind to everyone. Jesus, please help us stop condemning each other. Help us walk with You in every situation. Please help us show Godly love to everyone. Help us love the truth, even when it corrects me. Jesus, You are the truth and the way to an abundant life. Thank You for using this prayer to bless me and those I am praying for. Amen.