Recently I saw something on facebook. The post was about how single women without children rank highest in happiness according to some study. I didn’t read the article to know who did the study or any details of it, but I did notice the comments on the article. They were shocking to say the least.
Some people said of course they are, because single, childless women aren’t tied down to lazy husbands & bratty kids or similar, very negative comments. Other people said it’s impossible for a single, childless woman to be happy because God made human beings to be married & make a family together. People on both sides of the argument were extremely adamant that they were completely right, & the other side was completely wrong.
I’ve noticed this same scenario with other topics, such as eating meat versus being vegetarian. Frankly, I find it utterly disturbing! There are many issues like this that aren’t black & white, right or wrong. There is absolutely nothing wrong with people’s beliefs on either side of many issues. What is wrong is the fact that some people think it is their right to push their views onto other people as if their views are the only right ones. It’s controlling, very disrespectful & even typical of many narcissists. This behavior becomes even more disturbing to me when the pushy person claims to be a Christian.
The Bible states that Christians aren’t to judge other people, according to Romans 2:1 & Matthew 7:1 just to site a couple of examples. We are only to judge things in a discerning way. We are to judge if someone or something is good or bad for us. We are to judge our own words & behavior, doing & saying what is Godly & avoiding things that aren’t. Judging for the purpose of criticism or as an attempt to change someone however is a big problem.
Clearly it is wrong to judge a person for doing something that isn’t wrong. For example, if someone prefers to remain single then as a Christian, it isn’t your place to tell this person how wrong & evil they are for their choice! Their choice is hurting no one, it works well for them, & God isn’t going to condemn this person to Hell for not wanting to get married. If God doesn’t have a problem with the behavior, people shouldn’t either.
Romans 14:1-4 in the Amplified Bible explains the best way to handle differing opinions. It says, “1As for the one whose faith is weak, accept him [into your fellowship], but not for [the purpose of] quarreling over his opinions. 2 One man’s faith permits him to eat everything, while the weak believer eats only vegetables [to avoid eating ritually unclean meat or something previously considered unclean]. 3 The one who eats [everything] is not to look down on the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat must not criticize or pass judgment on the one who eats [everything], for God has accepted him. 4 Who are you to judge the servant of another? Before his own master he stands [approved] or falls [out of favor]. And he [who serves the Master—the Lord] will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.”
I know there are times it can be extremely difficult when someone’s thinking is much different than yours. Rather than get into a disagreement though, keep in mind what Romans 14:1-4 says. Let that person have their beliefs without your criticism. If they opt to criticize you or try to change your thinking, don’t get drawn into a disagreement. Each of you is entitled to your own opinion.
Cynthia Bailey-Rug, Christian Author 
I agree, everyone is entitled to their own opinion and nothing should be forced on anybody. I’ve also encountered people like this before and they can be really tough to deal with. ‘Christians aren’t to judge others’ I think is a very important quote – especially since some of the Christians that I’ve seen online tend to forget this and think they have the right to point fingers and tell people things that don’t sound very Christian at all. God was forgiving and kind and let everyone speak their turn. I think we should too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
It’s very tough to deal with. Seems especially so when you’re in a position of having been subjected to verbal & emotional abuse where you were told repeatedly how wrong you always were. It’s very triggering & upsetting when it happens, even years after the abuse ended.
Agreed. People seem to think judging & being judgmental are interchangeable when they aren’t. You can judge if something or someone is good or bad for you, which only makes sense to do. But, condemning someone as bad simply because they think differently than you is wrong.
LikeLiked by 2 people