Pointing the Finger and Speaking Wickedness

Pointing the Finger and Speaking Wickedness

“Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness.” Isa. 58:9.

“For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Therefore I urge you, follow me.” 1 Cor. 4:15-16.

If one is not born again to a new life of love and care for the others, it is easy to see all kinds of things that ought to be corrected, and then it is easy to point the finger and speak evil.

When it concerns an individual, love believes and hopes everything for his best. It rejoices over all progress in the good. However, these pointing fingers are followed by judgment and criticism, which does not nurture growth in love and wisdom. The result will be a “dog-ministry,” barking in all directions and not standing in the ministry of righteousness and glory.

Paul said, “Follow me!” He was gentle among the Thessalonians, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. “So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.” 1 Thess. 2:7-8.

This is a life worth following. He was hard against sin, but he loved the sinner. Where there is no law, there is no transgression. Rom. 4:15. This is an important verse that can save us from exercising judgment and criticism. A person is not responsible to God for something he has no light over according to the law of his conscience. Therefore, if we judge and criticize brothers and sisters according to the light we think we have, we are guilty before God and come under His judgment. It is possible that the one who is judged and criticized is completely innocent, whereas the one who judges will himself be judged. It is dangerous to judge an innocent person.

If one does not have a pure and good heart, one will constantly point a finger and speak wickedness. Compared to the number of instructors, there are very few fathers in Christ. Instructors are usually expert at quickly displaying their knowledge and empty phrases. There were only such people in Corinth; there was no one who could judge between his brethren.

“I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren?” 1 Cor. 6:4-5. They sought advice from those who were the least esteemed in the church. They knew what sort of advice they would receive from Paul.

Timothy was Paul’s true son in Christ, and he received exhortation and guidance for growth and progress in everything that was good. There was no lack of hope and comfort that led to great joy.

Instructors are constantly on the lookout for something they can point their fingers at—but without help and comfort. Jesus was a master at helping. He received help from the sanctuary and strength from Zion. Everything He said was for the purpose of giving help and comfort. Ps. 20:2.

These pointing fingers do not produce any comfort of love or fellowship in the Spirit. Paul had begotten many children in Christ, but instructors do not beget anyone to be an apostle, prophet, shepherd, or teacher. They do not lead anyone to perfection in the work of the ministry. They can chastise, but they cannot edify.

It would be good if such people could compare the result of their own ministry with the result of the ministry of other brothers whom God has blessed exceedingly and abundantly. How many souls have such people led to a victorious life in Christ in comparison to other faithful brothers and sisters?

If we cast ourselves down in humility and self-acknowledgment and call out to the Lord in our need, He will both hear and bless us. “I will return again to My place till they acknowledge their offense; then they will seek My face; in their affliction they will diligently seek Me.” Hos. 5:15.

May the spirit of accusation be cast out from the heaven of the heart, so that it will never enter in again.