I'd like to take a moment and speak about people who judge others who are trying to enlighten themselves as well as others. The following paragraph was something that I came across that inspired me to write today's post. Check it out:
"Have you ever known a person, or a very self righteous person or someone that comes across holier than thou & is always trying to spread the good word, drop those gems of knowledge, self worth, positivity or affirmations? But when you were around them in the past they were a freakaleek. Now they're on this higher ground talking the gospel on fb & twitter. Now all these ppl are liking their quotes & posts & having epiphanies like they've opened up a new dimension to their mind & soul. But when you read it ur like plz, it wasn't like that when we were.... I just roll my eyes & be like da hell this righteous person come from??? If they only knew!"
Sadly, this is the mindset that so many of us have displayed either in the past, presently, or maybe in the future. It seems that as soon as someone gets religious/saved, people go & bring up their past as if they themselves have the lifestyle credentials of Mother Theresa. My question is have you have ever sat down and questioned what exactly is in our spirit that makes some of us lash out in this manner when we see or hear our brother or sister talking "religious"? Have you ever wondered why many take on the attitude that is displayed in the message above? Now let me be clear to those of you that automatically revert to the "So many people are hypocrites" defense mechanism. I am not referring to the individuals that PURPOSEFULLY manipulate God's word to work in their favor and feed their own selfish desires. I'm not talking about the people that are unapologetically living in a way that's not pleasing to God and knowingly & mercilessly persecute others with judgemental eyes & words. I'm talking about individuals that are by no means perfect yet they strive towards evolving into the person God wants them to be yet are still "persecuted". I'm talking about people that strive to motivate and inspire others knowing that they aren't perfect and openly admit their imperfection by helping others in the spirit of love not judgment.
Just because a person doesn't air every dirty detail that they've done in life does not mean that they are hypocrites or that they are "frontin". Everything isn't for everybody. Some things are simply between you & God. The difference between a saint & a sinner is simply the revelation that they acknowledge and consistently strive towards the Savior for help. When you strive towards the Savior, you begin to take on his characteristics. His characteristic then start to show through your actions but this is never a overnight deal. You evolve. I evolve. This means that what may have hurt me last year no longer hurts me this year. What angered me last month no longer angers me today. My weaknesses constantly evolve into my strengths because I am always growing.
If you have issues discerning if a person is genuine towards you just pray, watch, and listen. Listen, you know what's in a person's heart by the words that they CONSTANTLY speak. Learn to shut your mouth sometimes & actually LISTEN. I guarantee, you will actually see who a person is on the inside. Also WATCH a person's actions. Something I've learned is that people ALWAYS show their TRUE self by their actions & their priorities. A tree is known by it's fruit. The "fruit" is referring to the doctrine that the person lives by. If a person constantly speaks on manipulating people/situations...manipulation is in their heart. If a person is constantly talking about who did what against them & constantly regurgitating old hurts...unforgiveness is there. If a person always talks about getting a person back in some form or fashion...bitterness is there. Now this is not saying JUDGE anyone because that's not our place & the whole point of this entry is to deter people from that. This is saying practice discernment. This part is simply explaining how to separate the "sheep" & the "wolves". The word says be wise as serpents yet harmless as doves.
Lastly, know that on this journey towards being enlightened and inspiring others, there will always be people who try to constantly "take you down a notch" by constantly bringing up your past. Notice in the quotated entry above, the person said "COME ACROSS as holier than thou"...this mean that their PERCEPTION brought along their conclusion. Most that are striving towards the straight and narrow, don't brag that they are "holier than thou". If a person has to constantly scream and rant that they are holier than thou, chances are they are trying to convince themselves. Just stay focused on your race. Know that people can & do change. Know that some people, particularly "the reminders", REFUSE to stop living in the past. They want to throw those type of jabs because something in them does not want to accept that people evolve and change. Simply watch their actions and listen to test their genunity as explained above. Some want you to revert back to who you were simply because it makes them feel good about their own choices in life. Some are simply intimidated. Yes, there are some that do fake the spiritual role but to that I still say, if their fake motivational fb, twitter, email, statuses helps to motivate other people to do better and be their best self, I see it as a WIN. I trust that eventually what that person is "pretending" to be will eventually become their reality. I live by the "speak it into existence" doctrine. Life & Death are in the power of the tongue. You either speak life or death into your being. Which are you choosing?
Peace, Love, & Blessings,
Nata Bee
