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Kristi Woods

Encouraging Women to Walk Deeper with God

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It’s Easy to Look at Their Sin, but What About Mine?

June 14, 2016 by Kristi 16 Comments

Finger Wagging-2

 

We welcomed her through our door. She stayed the night – several nights. She was a stripper.

The fitness club crossed our paths and a tough spot in life necessitated her stay. I don’t remember the details all these years later, but there’s one conversation lingering with clarity.

 

“What’s your biggest weekend of the year?” I asked.

 

“You’d be surprised, but it’s when the ________________ (insert a major denomination here) come to town for their annual convention,” she offered.

A gulp hit hard. My eyes grew large.

“Really?” I choked out.

“Yes. The club is packed that weekend,” she replied matter-of-factly.

What? Christian men – leaders at that – are hitting the strip clubs when they come to town? Seriously?

Seriously.

And that was 20ish years ago. Who knows what the stats hold today. Maybe clubbing visits have gone down due to the ease of internet access. Maybe they’re at an all-time high due to the very same cause. I don’t know. Either way, there’s a fishy smell of sin in the air.

I could wag a finger. Oh, let’s be honest – twenty years ago I did. I waved, wagged, and wiggled my prim and prissy Christian finger up in the air at the whole group of club hoppers.

It didn’t do any good.

 

Rarely does a wagging finger do good.

 

After all, sin is sin, right? It separates.

However you shape it, all sin is dark, ugly, and mankind’s eviction notice from the garden of all things good. We’ve all eaten of its rotten fruit.

 

All sin is dark, ugly. It's mankind's eviction notice from the garden of all things good. Click To Tweet

 

Is gossiping or gathering judgement different from lust or fornication?

Is gluttony for food deemed a “lighter” sin than adultery?

Are white lies better than dark, sinister ones?

My flesh wants to cry, “Look how awful! What are these men thinking?”

 

for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;

 

for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God; Rom. 3:23 WEB Click To Tweet

 

Truth cries, “Come, child. Look at your own heart…”

Mercy folds fingers in prayer, not in accusation.

Grace offers refreshment for all who will stand under its shower.

 

Grace offers refreshment for all who will stand under its shower. Click To Tweet

 

Sin is sin. None is okay. Thank God for the cleansing blood of Jesus.

We all fall short of the glory of God. We, whether finger-wagging Christian or slipping-behind-the-scenes-to-sneak-a -peek follower, have fallen short of a righteous and glorious God.

 

We need God Almighty. Today. Tomorrow. Always.

 

Do you want to grow closer to Jesus? I do.

Do you want to run the race well? Oh, I do.

If you’re nodding yes, like me, then finger-wagging must go.

 

There is 1 thing we must consider.

 

What about our own sin? Are our fingers folded in prayer versus wagging in the air?

 

Are our fingers folded in prayer versus wagging in the air? Click To Tweet

 

Fingers folded in prayer are ammunition against sin’s battle.

Below is a prayer Scripture offers. It’s perfect finger-folding opportunity.

Use it as you examine your own sin, grow in your faith, and leave finger wagging behind. I’ll be right beside you, doing the same.

 

Search me, God, and know my heart.
Try me, and know my thoughts.
See if there is any wicked way in me,
and lead me in the everlasting way.  PS 139:23-24 WEB

Lord,

Search my heart. You see all. Test my thoughts. You know them before I do. Show me any wickedness warring within me. Lead me in the way of everlasting instead. Lead me in Your way. I will follow. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

These words skated onto a post draft here well before both Orlando shooting situations came to be.  🙁  My daughter and I were shocked and saddened to hear of Christina’s Grimmie’s murder. We loved her and her voice! And then, the next day, Orlando was hit again. This time murder rampaged the lives of many. As I sit here Monday morning, I think how ironic that clubbing is at the center of it all. But maybe it isn’t. Maybe it’s sin’s rampage and we’re best fitted on our knees, eyes focused on the Lord, praying for ourselves and all involved, offering compassion where opportunity offers, leaving wagging fingers behind. Join me in prayer for Orlando?
Grace and peace to you through our Savior, Jesus Christ. ~ Kristi
Linking with Kelly Balarie & Holly Barrett.  

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Comments

  1. Lisa Appelo says

    June 14, 2016 at 7:35 am

    Wow. Hard to find words, Kristi, because your words are running deep this morning. We are whitewashed tombs but for the mercy of Jesus.

    Reply
    • Kristi says

      June 14, 2016 at 8:12 am

      Yes, the mercy of Jesus….

      Reply
  2. Megs says

    June 14, 2016 at 7:35 am

    Kristi,
    Insightful words and truths here. I spend a lot of time in fear of finger wagging …overwhelmed in unworthiness because of the call on my life vs. the constant failures of my life. I’m afraid of being called a hypocrite or religious freak. And have been. It’s painful to be misunderstood. But, knowing the mistakes of my past and present deem it hard for me to look upon anyone else’s sin with disdain and judgement. The hate in this world is overwhelming …suffocating …and it starts with finger wagging. Not this gal. I will give you a high-five. You can count on it. Hot mess? Me, too. High-five. A life is a life, and Jesus left His for all of ours. All. Only He is just to judge. Our job is to love. And in the end, love will win.
    I love how God timed your message.

    Happy Tuesday,
    Megs
    #TestimonyTuesday

    Reply
    • Kristi says

      June 14, 2016 at 8:13 am

      I love your spirit, Megs. And I’m nodding my head in agreement because God’s timing is more than swell. #goJesus

      Reply
  3. Liz says

    June 14, 2016 at 8:37 am

    Psalm 139:23-24 is one of my all-time favorites. I am also reminded that I must remove the log from my own eye before considering the splinter in any one else’s. Brave, bold words, friend!

    Reply
    • Kristi says

      June 14, 2016 at 10:18 am

      Oh goodness ~ those logs! You’re a blessing, Liz.

      Reply
  4. Meredith says

    June 14, 2016 at 9:01 am

    Kristi, thank you for this bold and beautiful reminder that we all stand on the same level at the foot of the cross. Praise God for His grace, covering the self-righteous the same as the stripper!

    Reply
    • Kristi says

      June 14, 2016 at 10:17 am

      Yes, praise God, Meredith. Truly.

      Reply
  5. Tiffany Parry says

    June 14, 2016 at 12:17 pm

    We need God Almighty – there simply isn’t any answer, is there? He is still and always good and when darkness comes, we cling to light. Great thoughts, dear friend.

    Reply
    • Kristi says

      June 14, 2016 at 12:51 pm

      Thanks, Tiffany. Clinging to light…

      Reply
  6. Crystal Storms says

    June 15, 2016 at 3:47 pm

    “Mercy folds fingers in prayer, not in accusation.” A reminder my heart needs. Not pointing a finger, but praying for and loving my neighbor. Thank you, Kristi, for speaking truth.

    Reply
  7. Linda Stoll says

    June 17, 2016 at 9:35 am

    You’ve offered grace and truth here today, Kristi … as you always do.

    Weekend blessings to you, to yours, friend …

    Reply
  8. Kristine says

    June 21, 2016 at 8:23 am

    I love this, Kristi. And I’m right there with you. I’m so grateful God worked in my heart to help me realize that there are no levels where sin is concerned, but He had to work overtime on me! Thankful for His unending patience today:) Blessings, friend!

    Reply
  9. Kelly Smith says

    June 23, 2016 at 5:52 am

    “Rarely does a wagging finger do any good.” So true. I plan to keep my eyes on my fingers. I want to make sure they stay folded in prayer instead of pointed at others. Great insight, friend! #livefreeThursday

    Reply
  10. Micah Maddox says

    June 23, 2016 at 7:21 am

    Love this. So hard to swallow, but so true. #livefreeThursday

    Reply
  11. Meggie says

    June 23, 2016 at 10:46 am

    Great post. Visiting from #livefreeThursday. Blessings & peace to you!

    Reply

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