Ever thought or gushed out the words to someone, “I told you so!”? Ever had someone say to you, “I told you so!”? Did you find yourself hurt, bitter, angry, ashamed, embarrassed, irritated, offended, discouraged, feeling down, feeling judged, upset in one manner or another? Did you notice the other person get upset when in one way or another you said to that person, “I told you so”? Perhaps you have never given this subject much thought as I had not until one day God put this message strong on my heart.
Those of us who believe in and follow the Lord Jesus Christ are ALL imperfect, and we all fall short at times. Nevertheless we are to love one another, encourage one another, be patient with one another, show mercy and grace to one another, be gentle with one another and, yes, firm and stern when God so leads us to be but always in His love, be kind to one another, etc. And we are to help one another to love and follow Jesus not to condemn each other and tear each other to shreds with our hearts, mouths, and actions when we fall short.
Being prideful, judging, condemning, criticizing, gossiping about, looking down upon people and thinking and saying to them, “I told you so!” when we have warned them not to do something against God’s will and now they are facing the consequences of their disobedience is SIN AGAINST GOD.
We are not to arrogantly condemn others for their sins. Yes absolutely they need to repent and turn to God and His ways, and we should say and do anything the Holy Spirit of God leads us to say and do to help them love and obey God. BUT SO DO WE NEED TO REPENT WHEN WE TREAT PEOPLE POORLY WHO NEED TO RETURN TO GOD AND HIS WAYS. We all need to HUMBLY learn to do right in God’s eyes not wrong against Him.
Thinking, speaking, and acting with pride, judgment, condemnation, impatience, etc. DOES NOT fulfill the Lord’s command to love one another.
I have been on both sides of this. I have been judged and condemned etc. for my wrongdoing. And I have judged and condemned others for their wrongdoing. Perhaps you have been also.
Friend, when you see someone doing wrong against God, please humble yourself before God almighty, pray to Him about how to handle the situation as He leads you to pray, seek godly counsel from His followers if/as/when He leads you, read the Bible daily and learn to live by it, and respond to people doing wrong with love, humility, grace, mercy, and the truth of the Bible ever mindful to seek and fulfill the will of God in this and all matters, AMEN!
“Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” Romans 13:10 NKJV
“What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?” 1 Corinthians 4:21 NKJV
“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.” Galatians 6:1 NKJV
“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.” 1 Thessalonians 5:14 NKJV
“And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother’s eye.” Luke 6:41-42 NKJV