Early this morning, my Ishah(wife) brought up a post she came across yesterday evening that stated “be careful not to dehumanize those with whom you disagree. In our self righteousness, we can become the very things we criticize in others…and not even know it.” Apparently that’s a true statement and I will explain why.
So last night I came across a video of a song that I thought was giving reverence to our creator יהוה, a beautiful song in my opinion. The beginning lyrics were “You only deserve my worship, you only deserve my praise, you only deserve the honor, and we lift you high YHWH, YHWH…” This song was so touching to my nefesh (soul) that before I even finished listening to the entire video, I had shared it to several messaging groups; and even I made an entire post regarding the song. However, little did I know that the second singer in the song would start praising “jc” in the middle of this beautiful song. In my ignorance, I continued to share this song not knowing this type of idolatry was in the song. I was so blinded by my own self desire for this song that I even responded to a comment that was written that stated something along the lines of “yes hallelujah, let us lift up the name of ‘jc.’” I was so appalled by that comment that I had to correct this person. “This song is not about “jc” or lifting up the name “jc” but of lifting up the name of יהוה, the creator of the heavens and earth.” I responded.
Now think about this, in my attempt to correct this person I turned out to be the one in the wrong in this situation because I didn’t listen fully to the song in the first place. I initially only listened to the part that was pleasing to my ear and not the entire song. See, the problem is sometimes we overlook certain key parts of importance because we only want to hear or see the things that are pleasing to the senses; and drop the ball when it comes to listening to the things we don’t like or agree. We overlook those types of matters. We tend not to pay attention. It is written in Yeshayah (Isaiah) 45:7 “…forming light and creating darkness, making peace and creating evil. I יהוה, do all these.”
In order to have balance, we have to acknowledge the good and evil. How do we know if we are judging in righteousness when we fail to examine both sides of the same coin? We as a people are quick to rebuke one another, but how often do we look in the mirror and self reflect on our own actions? Wayyiqra (Leviticus) 19:17 reads “Do not hate your brother in your heart. Reprove your neighbour, for certain, and bear no sin because of them.” In all humbleness, I had to apologize to each group that I sent this video to because that’s what we’re supposed to do when we make an error; I didn’t want to be the bearer of confusion. The lesson that I’ve learned from this experience is this: though rebuking/reproving a matter is something that we have the capability of doing, we must do it correctly with all the facts and not partial information. More importantly though, we should judge all matters in love and righteousness; because you may be the one on the opposite end of that same rebuke/reproof. We weren’t chosen to be stumbling blocks but stepping stones for each other. So in summary, be really mindful of how you correct someone because you may very well be the one in the wrong in your correction. Selah