As we continue to grow as Christians and learn more principles about the Word of God, there is an essential attitude that we are to have with other believers.

First, we must remember this:

2 Corinthians 5:17

17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

You must first remember that ALL believers in Christ are members of the family. There will be believers in your life who you disagree with, and even who have wrong ideas about what the Word of God says. What is our attitude to be toward them?

Romans 14:7-8

7 For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself;

8 for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's.

You must live your life as unto the Lord, but you must also allow other believers to do the same!

Romans 14:10-13

10 But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.

11 For it is written,

"AS I LIVE, SAYS THE LORD, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME,

AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL GIVE PRAISE TO GOD."

12 So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God.

13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this -- not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way.

As you grow, it is essential that you not judge other less mature believers, who may have erroneous ideas about being a Christian, so that you do not knock them off the path of spiritual growth. The more you learn, the more you will recognize incorrect opinions in other less mature believers. But an immature believer MUST have the opportunity and privacy to grow. It’s up to the Word of God to correct people’s incorrect opinions, not you.

It comes down to the issue of privacy. You must be tolerant of other believers’ nonessential opinions! You have to have faith that as they continue to grow, God will correct their misunderstandings.

Paul addressed this same issue in Romans.

Romans 14:1-5

1 Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions.

2 One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only.

3 The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him.

4 Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

5 One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind.

Here’s what it comes down to. We are to focus our attention on the spiritual growth of our fellow believers. If our correcting them would cause them to react or stumble, then we should just leave well enough alone, and let God do the correcting!

Romans 15:1-2

1 Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves.

2 Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification.

Whatever is best for their edification (the building up of their structure in their soul) should be our first concern.

So be careful as you grow spiritually, because it’s very easy to become arrogant and judge the immature believers for their incorrect opinions. Have faith, that as God corrected YOUR mistakes, He will also correct theirs! The last thing you want to do is judge them and throw a stumbling block in their way.