Condemning Ourselves

 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. - John 3:17

The Bible is clear that God’s not interested in condemning people. The whole purpose of sending Jesus is emphasized in the gospel of John as not to condemn people, after all. So why is it that Christians are almost universally known as the most condemning people around?

I have to wonder if part of it is that we have excelled at condemning others because we have practiced so much on ourselves. How many times in a week do you say something, out loud or just to yourself, like one of these:

• I am so stupid.

• I am so fat.

• No one likes me anyway.

• I’m such an f***-up.

• Why can’t I ever get anything right?

• Who am I to… (do this or that, to expect this or that)?

If you get a chance today, read Psalm 42. In it, the author does a lot of self talk. The author notices the sadness (and perhaps self-condemnation) inside and gives a little pep talk to themselves. What if this were our approach to the self-condemnation we feel rising up inside of us? Perhaps we could just call it out by name and invite it to the table with Jesus (Psalm 23 says God prepares a table for us and our enemies… just imagine it as the communion table!).

Take some time right now and listen quietly to your own soul. Listen to the whispered of self-condemnation. Then, gently, say, “Hello Self-condemnation. Welcome to the table of grace. Come sit with me and let’s you and me talk for a while with Jesus.” Then watch to see what happens.