OUCH: PERHAPS I am Holier than thou?

I WAS TOLD THAT I WAS HOLIER THAN THOU. OUCH.

That hurt. Not because it could actually have some truth to it, but because it tells me that that person does not know my heart. In my moment to moment struggle in just coping with the physical pain and emotional trials that come along with all of it, I want people to be happy  for me that I have found great joy amidst it all through the Lord. It must be coming across wrong! NOT WHAT I INTENDED.

THE DEVIL ALMOST GOT A FOOTHOLD

When this happened I immediately wallowed in my hurt feelings. My first instinct was to go straight to my room, cut myself (like I used to do many, many  years ago) perhaps across my arm with a sharp object. Fall into bed, never-ever to come out into day light again. I still struggle, as I am human. I decided to take my blog down too. Who am I to think that my personal journey could possibly help anyone. So all in all, I am blessed in the GOOD day that proceeded all these bad thoughts. I did none of those things that first came to mind. I went to God instead. He reminded me that if  I made a b-line to Him, He would restore me. The one who loves me unconditionally and the one who forgives me, just in case I have in fact been behaving "holier than thou."


He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds. Psalms 147:3 NKJV

Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am weak; O LORD, heal me, for my bones are troubled. Psalms 6:2 NKJV

THE WORLD IS CONFUSED AT BEHAVIOR THAT PLEASES THE LORD

I researched the web on this topic. I was horrified and saddened to find out that the saying "Holier than thou," is pretty much meant as a putdown.

Am I behaving that way? That will be be my goal to look within my self.

TALK IS CHEAP
"The vast majority of Americans profess to know God and to believe Him. But if they really knew Him they wouldn't live the way they do. Our country would be radically different. Like the people of Paul's day there are many to, "Profess to know God, but in works they deny Him!" Talk is cheap." Pastor Chuck Smith
 

They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work. TITUS 1:16 NKJV

I HAD TO RESEARCH IT

ho·li·er-than-thou

ˌhōlēərT͟HənˈT͟Hou/

adjective

1. characterized by an attitude of moral superiority.

   "they had quite a critical, holier-than-thou approach"

   synonyms:

   sanctimonious, self-righteous, smug, self-satisfied;  priggish, pious, pietistic, Pharisaic

Posted by Philip Strong.

Have We Replaced “Holier Than Thou” 

with “Holy Enough”?  The problem of “self-righteousness,” or the “holier than thou” attitude and accompanying actions, has been around a long time.  But things are changing somewhat in that regard.  After all, when was the last time you heard someone actually use the word “thou” in a sentence who wasn’t reading the KJV, or wasn’t on some TV show about the Amish?

“Holier than thou” is a phrase that has typically been used to point out the presumed hypocrisy of self-righteousness in others.  Such was certainly prevalent in Jesus’ day.  Though He didn’t use this particular phrase in so doing, Jesus did address a parable to those “who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt,” in Luke 18:9-14.  This pretty well hits the hypocrite nail on the head.  In this parable, the tax-gatherer (they were notoriously corrupt) who humbly acknowledged his sin and pleaded for God’s mercy was justified, while the Pharisee (strictest religious sect of the Jews) who lauded and praised his own piety was clearly condemned. 
In more recent times, “holier than thou” became the go-to phrase used by folks more or less unconcerned with biblical authority to describe those who sought to do bible things in bible ways.  Christians who insisted on a “book, chapter, and verse” were quickly accused of legalism, and assigned a “holier than thou” habitude, whether they actually possessed it or not.  Nonetheless, the fear of being labeled as either “legalists” or “holier than thou” types seems to have been strong enough motivation for some to give the pendulum a shove in the other direction.  The result appears to be a “holy enough” attitude

WOW. SHOOT ME NOW.
If I am like this, I am blind and stupid as well.  And if I behave like this I am truly sorry. I will never claim to be perfect. As I hope no one out there does either. I do claim, however, that if you knew my heart, you would know that I try my darnedest.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2 NKJV

UPON SELF REFLECTION
I want to better myself. Here are some things I haven't done so well lately:

1. I've gossiped about others to my children whom I see as hypocritical in their daily walk.

2. I've given stores like Bed Bath and Beyond grief for messing my order up. I could have used it as an opportunity to bless.

3. I've been grumpy around the house. 

4. I've tried to force God on my family. I see now they need to be convicted themselves.

5. I talk too much about "good things," that I've done; like in schooling the kids, etc.  I need to be more humble.

6. I give a mixed message; although I am riddled in pain, I DO STUFF ANYWAY, thus appearing to be fine. Perhaps I need to be more honest. 
7. I buy too much stuff.
8. I'm NOT going into the past! Now that would have a way longer and more rotten list! 
9. I'm positive there's more. 

THINGS THAT MAY APPEAR HOLIER THAN THOU, THAT I WON'T APOLOGIZE FOR

1. I refuse to watch TV shows or movies or music that I feel would displease the Lord.

2. I choose not to hang out with those who chase the world thus being a potential trap for me.
3. I do my best not to use foul language. 
4. I do my darnedest to speak to my loved ones IN LOVE about what I see that they might not see, that is hurting them.

5. I've taken opportunities through out the day to lift others up. No matter where I am.

6. I'M TRYING TO MAKE THINGS HAPPEN, despite the way I feel physically.
7. I try my best to be bold for Christ. I am Not embarrassed that I love Him. 

8. I call someone out when they make a crude or inappropriate joke.
9. There's more, but I'm tired.

I have found that I truly LOVE Jesus and I DESIRE TO PLEASE HIM. Just Like I LOVE my DAD, and I want to please him too!!


 
IN MY OBSERVATION

Don't people put others down in order to fluff themselves up? I used to do that. It was a revelation in my life that arrogant people aren't ALL THAT. They actually have low self-esteem. I hurt for them now. I used to be angry at them. God gave me the ability to see things in a new light. To have a heart for those who hurt. 

During the daytime, a rooster will often sit on a high perch

MY HEART NOW HONESTLY BREAKS FOR PEOPLE WHO HURT
I used to be angry at people. I used to hate some of them.  Now I have a heart that honestly breaks for them. That has been yet another blessing to me. When hurting overwhelmed me and I fell into the arms of God, He allowed me to see and feel what breaks His heart and gave me that gift as well.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,

Because He has anointed Me

To preach the gospel to the poor;

He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,[a]

To proclaim liberty to the captives

And recovery of sight to the blind,

To set at liberty those who are oppressed;

19 

To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord. Luke 4:18-19

I AM CHOOSING TO TAKE IT AS A COMPLIMENT

In this one lady's blog, she counts it as joy that she would be accused of being HOLIER THAN THOU. So that's what I chose. To take it as a compliment.

I know in the past that we have either accused someone of being "Holier than Thou" or someone has accused us of it. But my preacher said one time that being accused of it was actually a good thing cause that means we were separated from the world! I thought for a moment and thought, Yeah you're right as usual Preacher!! To be holy is be separate or to be set apart. God was a Holy God is still is!! So when someone accuses you of being Holier than Thou, just remember that you are being recognized for living a separated life apart from this world and you ought to humble yourself and thank your Almighty God for giving you the strength, grace, and obedience to be able to! CafeMom

GOD DOES DESPISE THE HYPOCRITE

See the fear of man is a snare. 
We cannot be servants of Christ if we fear man. 
We must fear God. 
FINALLY this makes sense to me.
FEARING GOD does NOT mean that HE is scary-IT MEANS THAT WE LOVE HIM SO MUCH WE ARE FEARFUL THAT WE MIGHT NOT PLEASE HIM!

 That the hypocrite should not reign, 

Lest the people be ensnared Job 34:30 NKJV

For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ. Galations 1:10 NKJV

FEAR OF GOD DOES NOT MEAN 
BEING AFRAID OF HIM

It means being afraid of doing anything that would disappoint him. And that comes from loving him. So he will be the one to help convict me of my poor behavior. He loves me that much. He may point it out through others. But only He truly  knows my heart. I can't convince others of my heart.  And I won't try any longer. 

BEING REAL

Upon contemplation and much later throughout the other day, this is something I have and will continue to  investigate. It has been my burning desire to reach out to others to show them daily how God has given me joy despite my pain and struggles. If in fact, I am behaving in any way that does not glorify the Lord, I not only WANT but NEED to know. IT IS A FACT, I AM HUMAN and I SIN. But I tell you, I truly love the Lord and don't seek to be better than anyone else. I simply want to PLEASE him like I want to please my earthy father because I love him so much. 

NOW IS YOUR BIG CHANCE

PLEASE HELP ME. Please respond. 
Tell me what you see, observe. 
PLEASE CALL ME OUT, 
in love (if possible). 
If not- that's OK too.

MY GOALS and COMMITMENTS TO MYSELF FOR THIS BLOG

1. To be honest.
2. To seek and listen and honor what the Holy Spirit guides me to do. 
3. To be in the word daily so that I am fed daily.

2. To share my personal experiences and stories from the past and present as the Holy Spirit guides me.

3. To NOT act like I KNOW how or what to do...OTHER THAN GO TO GOD. I do in fact know that THAT is right.

4. To relay information in first person; my experience as I know it.

5. To get EVERYONE to realize that GOD LOVES YOU! Unconditionally!

6. To plant any kind of seed through my stories that might encourage others to seek God.

7. To lift others up, perhaps maybe insert a tiny ounce of joy into someone's day.

8. To honor my inner desire to be creative.

TO BE HONEST...
I am blessed by the encouragement I'm getting by your responses as well! It goes both ways! 
God knows what we need and when we need it!

"So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord!"