Understanding the problem from God's point of view:
Gen. 1:26
; Matt. 7:1-5
-Since God created us and we are His
own invention, He is our means of life and existence, our only
resource. Accordingly, we are accountable to Him and from Him,
and we receive whatever we need from Him in order to fulfill His
purposes through us on this earth. On the basis of God's word,
we are to judge ourselves by and through our actions especially
in the area of critically judging and condemning others. The criticizer
is inconsistent, self-righteous, self-deceived, lacks love, a
hypocrite, and abuses the Gospel by which our life is to be changed.
We are to be an example to the world, expressing the love of God
to others.
Hope:
Eze. 18:20
; Jere. 17:10
-I cannot blame my background, my parentage,
the circumstances of life to justify sinful actions nor am I controlled
by them. God's grace is available to me from heaven to enable
me to live righteously regardless of what others have done. Being
free of horizontal controls, God's grace will break the hold of
the past, and He will guide me and lead me to an abundant life.
Eze. 18:2-3 ; Eph. 5:18 -I am not responsible for others sins, nor do the actions of others have to unsettle me. Being free of the past, of blameshifting and defensiveness, this allows for the Presence of the Holy Spirit, the believer to be filled continuously, a consciousness of His Presence, of His leadership , from moment to moment.
John 14:21-22 , Ps. 119:11 ; Acts 2:1-4 -To be filled requires that we walk obediently to Christ, as we walk through terrible trials and severe crisis, God manifests His Presence and gives a deep sense of His love and care, helping and giving confidence, lifting and strengthening us to conform to His Son. The meaning of life is to allow God to be His fullest in our lives in the present moment.
Change:
Rom. 12:9-10
; 2 Pet. 1:5-7
-To begin to love sincerely, the
believer is to hate all forms of evil because evil destroys lives,
and a godly love desires the very best for people. He is to cleave
to the good and to work for everyone to know and experience the
good. He loves others in Christ by being kind and affectionate.
He takes the lead in esteeming and expressing respect for others.
1 Cor. 1:10 ; 1 Pet. 3:10 ; Prov. 13:3 ; Lu. 11:17 -To reach any situation, one must refrain the tongue in stirring dissension, division, but to bring peace, love, and brotherhood. We are to be restored within ourselves and with others. Union in mind and judgments involves thoughts, reasonings, emotions, motives and intentions. Judgments involve conclusions, purposes, goals and objectives. Restorations begins in and around conclusions that bring unity within ourselves and with others.
Phil. 2:2-4 ; Prov. 17:19 ; Isa. 14:13-14 ; 1 Jn. 2:16 -If we don't get our way or what we want, we are inclined to strive, to cause arguments and divisions. We are inclined to want attention, praise and honor. We are to deny these inclinations for the sake of Christ that we may help others. God works in us to offer ourselves in a spirit of submissiveness and lowliness, not to be high-minded, proud, haughty, arrogant, or assertive.
For each item replace by what God wants you to think and to do,
considering the needs of others before your own, such as: visiting,
consoling, ministering, helping, sharing, feeding, clothing, transporting,
listening, advising, counseling, teaching, etc.