Theology for Everybody: RomansSample

Set Free: Escaping Rules

(Continued from Day 47)

When a spirit of judgment comes, it brings a culture of criticism and leads to an environment with the following factors:

1. Autonomy. I like to be in authority but not under authority. I like to tell people what to do, but I don’t like to be told what to do. I like to tell other people where they’re wrong, but I don’t want anyone to tell me I’m wrong.

2. Pride. I am the standard of “good” instead of Jesus being the standard. If more people were like me, the world would be better. If people had my disposition, if they were of my orientation, if they picked up my cause, and if they voted for my candidate, it would be heaven on earth.

3. War. I want to win my cause and defend my reputation. I’m good, and everyone else is bad, so they must be defeated.

4. Hypocrisy. It’s grace for me but the law for you. Look at everything you did wrong, but don’t you dare judge me.

5. Deception. I said not to do something, but I’m doing it, so I’ll rename it. Vices become virtues. Instead of adultery, it’s an “emotional affair.” Instead of lying, it’s “continuing the narrative.”

6. Blameshift. If I win, it’s because I’m good. If I lose, it’s because I am the victim of my culture, upbringing, or others’ sins, and I need to be compensated.

7. Character Attack. If I’m good, you’re bad, and I’m against you. I need to destroy you to always look better than you.

8. Negative Narrative. I am always judging you. No matter what you say or do, I’m going to interpret any new data in a negative light.

9. Self-Righteousness. Whatever I do is for a just cause, so the ends always justify the means.

10. Unholy Alliance. I recruit others to join my fight against our common enemy—the “bad” people.

Today’s Reflection

What flaws do you tend to see in others that you fail to see in yourself?