RECOGNIZING THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

 Casting Aspersions – Toni M. Babcock

“But you, why do you judge your brother or sister? 

Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? 

For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 

For it is written, 

‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow to me, 

And every tongue will give praise to God.’ 

So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.” 

(Rom 14:10-12 CSB)

Let’s talk about roadblocks when we judge the testimony of another traveler on the King’s highway, since none of us knows just how the Spirit of God might be at work.

 
First, the Holy Spirit does not operate like humans do in the flesh. Jesus said to Nicodemus, 

“The wind blows where it pleases, and you hear its sound, 

But you don’t know where is comes from or where it is going. 

So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” 

(John 3:8 CSB).

 
I’m convinced if we would simply learn to recognize the work of the Holy Spirit — how He wills to move and influence others, we would cease from caving into the temptation to frame Him in our own image. 

We should spend more time evaluating our own progress, our own intentions, and our own shortfalls in the Christian life, so there’d be little time to spend examining the progress, motives, and intentions of others.

The key is never to be a roadblock (cf. Romans 14:13 CSB). 

Consider how it might actually work to suppress the work of the Spirit in another’s life when we don’t in faith acknowledge what God appears to be doing, by openly casting doubt; 

Calling their testimony “spotty”, or suspecting it doesn’t check off a list of expectations like we think it should. 

I’m sure glad Priscilla and Aquila didn’t treat Apollos like that! (cf. Acts 18:24-28 CSB). 

Instead, let’s welcome what God is doing in His own time and way in people’s lives – and not be quick to judge.

Toni is author of Reflections from the Heart in Light of the Gospel of Jesus, and The Stone Writer, Christian Fiction for Young Readers and Teens. Contact