Pointers Beware

We have all seen, heard about, or experienced well-meaning church folk stand at the door of the church and point out your less than perfect attire, and if you haven’t, then you’re probably the one doing the pointing. In all reality, it doesn’t stop there. There are always people that are ready to point out any inconsistencies, music selections, or appendages that you have just to let you know that “the Lord is not pleased with that.” One of the churches that I pastored had a very well-meaning lady as a greeter that would stand at the door, and if she didn’t like the way you looked, she would let you know. It got really bad when she approached a pregnant young lady, who, for comfort’s sake, came to church in jean pregnancy pants and got told that she should know better than to come to the house of God looking like that.

I know we all have our stories of this sort of thing happening to us, and as I said, you may find as you read these words, you are guilty of victimizing people while being well-intentioned. If you identify as a finger pointer (which in the past I have), could it be possible you are working for the wrong team without knowing it? I saw this little quote that made me think deeply about this, “Those who are quick to censure others, who speak words that cut and bruise the already wounded soul, are doing Satan’s work, and are laborers with the prince of darkness….” Harsh words! But it’s true. What if we find ourselves inadvertently working for Satan when we try to be the holiness police?

If people are hurting under the weight of sin, their souls are already in anguish, and some may even be under the Holy Spirit’s conviction. Don’t get me wrong; there is a time when we must call sin by its name. However, to do that, you must have a relationship with the person and be willing to go through the process of restoration with them. It’s a total commitment to a person’s spiritual well-being that most people are unwilling to make. Instead, we act as the standards police, and we could be quenching the Holy Spirit’s work in their lives. Satan is named the accuser of the brethren in the book of Revelation. It is his pleasure to accuse us before God and point out every mistake we make. Satan is the ultimate pointer. If we become pointers, then all we are doing is his work. John 3:16 is arguably the most memorized scripture of the Bible, but what is seldom quoted is the very next verse. It says, “God sent His Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through Him.” What beautiful words! God is not in the pointing business; he is in the saving business. If we are His children, we must also be in the saving business and put that pointer finger away.

Pastor Anthony Nix

Anthony serves as the Pastor For Anderson Seventh-day Adventist Church in Anderson, IN. A charismatic communicator with a message that motivates discipleships to Jesus, Anthony teaches on a variety of topics, emphasizing God’s unfailing love and His desire to be in relationship with His creation. He is a graduate of Southern Adventist University. Anthony and his wife Nayeli have three beautiful and loving children.