Never Have I Ever…
“We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind.” – Isaiah 64:6 (New Living Translation)
So, there’s this drinking game that the young folks play that requires you to not only drink but also put all your business out in public, its called, Never Have I Ever. Each person takes a turn admitting something they’ve never done. However, if other people in the group have done this thing, they have to take a drink. The objective of the game is to be the last sober person standing, thus winning with the most dignity…well the most dignity you can retain while playing a drinking game.
Just like the winner of this game, there are so many of us who take great pride in saying, never have I ever…murdered, stabbed or shot someone, taken drugs or sold drugs, drank alcohol, stolen something, had sex before marriage, gotten pregnant prematurely, gotten an abortion, used my body or sexual prowess as a means of income, cheated in a committed relationship, cheated on a test…oh the list is ongoing. But you get my point.
Yes, there are people who have lived an unscathed life, devoid of immoral conduct or deeds. They’ve made great choices in life, avoided temptations, and have chosen to walk a straight and narrow path that many of us have difficulty finding or staying on. But, does that make them better than anyone else? I’m asking this question because many of them think it does, and consequently, some of us think this as well. They’re convinced that they’re unstained, untainted, or without sin and therefore, can pass judgment and look down their nose at others. But what they’re forgetting or perhaps don’t know is that they’ve been extended an immeasurable amount of grace, which has assisted them with staying afloat.
See, here’s the thing, sin is sin. When God looks at our wrong-doings, He doesn’t place them in some type of hierarchy system. We, as people are the ones who have decided that certain sins are greater or lesser than others or that varying crimes deserve more or less punishment.
For example, some may argue that commiting adultery is worse than telling a lie, but depending on the magnitude of the lie, both can be detrimental and leave a family in ruins, so in that instance, I argue they carry the same weight. Not convinced? Okay here are some additional examples that may hit home:
Stealing
vs
Gossiping
Never have you ever stolen a physical object, but you’ve gossiped about someone relentlessly on social media or to others, which has caused that person to feel despair and devalued, so you’ve stolen their joy.
Murder
vs
Discouragement
Never have you ever murdered someone, but when a friend shared his or her dream with you, rather than being supportive you discouraged and riduculed their ideas because they weren’t your own, so your jealousy killed their dreams.
Kidnapping
vs
Unforgiveness
Never have you ever kidnapped someone, but because you refuse to forgive your spouse, sibling, child, or other family member for hurting or disappointing you, even after they’ve begged for your forgiveness, you’re holding them and your happiness hostage.
Self-righteousness is the act of thinking you’re above reproach or better than anyone else; perceiving yourself to be morally superior to others. If we’re being honest, we all can act a little self-righteous from time to time or be a little judgy, including me. Though we may not intend to act this way, we do nonetheless.
You may have never struggled with addiction or homelessness, and can’t relate to what someone else is going through or their experiences, but you can have compassion for them and relate to them as a human being. Whatever circumstances has occured in a person’s life to push them off their path of purpose, judging and pointing fingers at them is not going to help get them back on track; if anything it will further deter them. Instead try showing kindness, understanding, and grace, just like they’ve been shown to you when you’ve fallen short.
Now, please understand that I am not condoning people’s wickedness or wrong-doings, I’m simply suggesting that before we distort our face in disgust or clutch our pearls in horror or shock, we remember that we’re running the same human race they are, therefore we’re subject to trip or fall down as well. And when not if we do…how do we want people to perceive and treat us? Think about it…
Until we speak again…Smooches 
it amazing how I read this today (12/28/20), This morning I spoke to someone about the same thing.
WOW! I love your blog, keep it real.
Thanks Drenna. Just another one of my many thoughts I wanted to share.
Yet another great post!! Reflective!!
Wow…
This is a must-read for many! Thanks Tasha. It definitely spoke to me
Mike