Luke 6:41 (NASB)
41 Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?

Matthew 5:44-48 (NASB)
44 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
47 If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?
48 Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

The line separating the belief that someone is evil and simply disagreeing with them about a topic seems to be growing ever smaller. With the availability of 24 hour news and social media, we seem to be turning our differences of opinion into positions of good versus evil. For when we do that, the other side can be condemned because of their evil nature and we can be justified because of our righteous beliefs. I guess that makes us feel good. But lately, I’ve been convicted by God that it doesn’t bring Him any glory.

Don’t get me wrong, there is true evil in the world. There is right and wrong. But when we extend that to positions of opinion, there is no path to loving our neighbors as ourselves. It also creates the self-righteousness and pride in ourselves that is the primary sin that I battle.

So how do we combat this ever escalating noise in our society? Jesus has the answer.

• Look at the sin in our life before we look for evil in others. If I do just that, there won’t be time left to look for their sin.
• Make the primary source of our knowledge the word of God rather than the views of others. Feeding on the truth of God is always better than alternate sources.
• Pray for those that we disagree with. We might find that they really aren’t our enemy.
• Then, when we are actually faced with true evil, we will be prepared to do battle.

Father, forgive me for my pride of life and self-righteous attitudes. Help me to love others even when their views don’t coincide with mine. Keep me alert to the true evil in this world. I pray that the Holy Spirit would expose my sin and bring about true repentance in my heart. Amen.

Always praying for the glory of God,