God gives us a free will

[YourNameHere]

God has given us all a free will to choose how we will live.
I choose to try to obey the Ten Commandments.
A question I have is, Do we have the right to tell others how to live their lives? Is that not judging them?

 

[Wesrock]

God has given us all a free will to choose how we will live.
I choose to try to obey the Ten Commandments.
A question I have is, Do we have the right to tell others how to live their lives? Is that not judging them?

We have firm teaching to rely on in regards to how one can morally live life. When we’re told not to judge, it means we’re not to pass final judgment and condemnation on people, as only God can do that, and only God can read people’s hearts. Offering guidande and correction is something a Christian can certainly do.

However, who you should correct and when is a more difficult question.

 

[Fauken]

Admonishing the sinner is one of the Spiritual Works of Mercy. It is charitable to help people by encouraging them to stop a particularly sinful action. But it is one that requires a lot of tact. Some may need a gentle word, others may need something more firm. It really depends.

 

[YourNameHere]

But we all are sinners. Who are we to point out the sins of others? I really do not see that as a spiritual work of mercy.
Unless you profess first your own sins. For example, “Brother, I am a sinner. I have noticed that you ---------. May the Lord our God have mercy on us both.”

 

[Wesrock]

But we all are sinners. Who are we to point out the sins of others? I really do not see that as a spiritual work of mercy.
Unless you profess first your own sins. For example, “Brother, I am a sinner. I have noticed that you ---------. May the Lord our God have mercy on us both.”

We’re Christians, annointed priests, prophets, and kings through baptism.

Correcting others takes a lot of tact, as was said. And it doesn’t mean we’re beyond reproach ourselves. The idea isn’t to simply point out sins, but to guide them (back) to the way.

 

[Gorgias]

A question I have is, Do we have the right to tell others how to live their lives? Is that not judging them?

No. Judging – the kind that falls under the ‘judge not, lest ye be judged’ category – is different than what you’re talking about (which we might call ‘admonishing the sinner’).

Judging, on the other hand, is the act of thinking (or saying), “ohh… that one over there? Oh, he’s definitely going to hell – no hope for him!” That’s what passing judgment means!

 

[goout]

God has given us all a free will to choose how we will live.
I choose to try to obey the Ten Commandments.
A question I have is, Do we have the right to tell others how to live their lives? Is that not judging them?

You have to know the difference between butting in and helping.
It takes personal practice to develop prudential judgment.
Now is the time to start.

Depending on the circumstances, you not only have a right to speak, but a responsibility.
Is the subject matter serious, like a child doing drugs, or a friend rejecting Christ?
Is the person I am admonishing a friend or family member who values my counsel, or is it a stranger or person who I have alienated?
Do I have any real expertise or experience in the subject matter or am I just throwing rules out?
Prudential judgment takes time and wisdom to develop.
Now is the time to start.

 

[Stephen_says]

I work out a lot in the gym. If I see someone doing something terribly wrong that they might hurt themselves, I try to help, show them what they’re doing wrong. It’s not judging them for being “stupid”, maybe they just learned wrong, or whatever, but it’s not a situation where I can ignore the fact that they might hurt themselves.

When I’m at work, and if I do something wrong, one of my coworkers or my boss will point it out to me so that I can get it right. It’s not a situation where I can keep doing the same thing incorrectly and expect my business to prosper. If I don’t correct it, I’ll probs be fired.

Is it not the same with our spiritual life? If we see someone on the wrong track, it is out of Love that we correct them. If they persist in their error after several attempts, well, that’s on them. But if I don’t attempt to correct them, that’s on me.

 

[Dan_Defender]

Tread very carefully. Do not get entangled in a long argument with the one whom you choose to correct.
‘Avoid foolish arguments, genealogies, rivalries, and quarrels about the law, for they are useless and futile. After a first and second warning, break off contact with a heretic, realizing that such a person is perverted and sinful and stands self-condemned.’ - Titus 3:9-11

 

[JMMJ]

Don’t ever correct someone if you are holding on to a presumption they have the same religious beliefs as you, the same value system as you, or the same goals in this life as you do.

I find it better if you, instead of correcting someone else, remark about how doing things a certain way impact you in your life. They can either learn from that or not, and it avoids accusations that only will turn them off.

 

[anna_marie]

Catholics have the full truth and should never be ashamed to proclaim it! However, at the same time, we must recognize the humanity in those who hold different beliefs than us and always approach concerns with Christ-like love and compassion. Definitely easier said than done!