I grew up being dragged to various strange meetings that my mother who wanted to share with her children but I spent most of the time making fun of the whackadoodles. There sure is some goofy stuff that people do in the name of 'freedom' and 'spirituality'.
So, when I became a Christian and started attending a full gospel type church, you can imagine my confusion. These folks were excited about Jesus and worshipped him exuberantly. I thought cool, but watched with a wary eye as folks did some of the same goofy things that I witnessed in the various meetings my mother had me attend.
How were the Christians any different than the whackadoodles? They had Jesus. True and I believed that, until I got to know some of them and began to wonder if there was much of a difference. I saw very little fruit of Jesus in their day to day lives other than their freedom in a worship service.
Yes, that is a bit judgmental, but my father's influence was still quite present in my adolescent life. Mr. scientist taught me to observe and analyze. The proof was in the pudding and that there pudding was whackadoodle flavored.
The enemy took advantage of my confusion too. I wanted to be free and healed but not if it made me act like a whackadoodle. After years of vowing never to be like my mother's compatriots, I was conflicted.
Eventually, my confusion and judgment turned into snobbery. Those type of exuberant Christians are only caught up in emotionalism. They want the experience without maturing in God. That statement may or may not be true, however, it was the state of my heart when I believed this statement that gave the enemy a foothold.
Judgment breeds division. It also hampers mercy and negates trust. There is no honor towards people or groups you have placed judgment upon. Ultimately, judgment makes your love dry up. As a foothold becomes a stronghold, everyone eventually becomes suspect and you lose your ability to trust. It closes your heart, not only to those you've judged but also towards those you care about even your most intimate relationships, including God.
Even when you seclude yourself along with other-like minded individuals, it will come to pass that they too will at some point become suspect. So, you have three choices: become a hermit, find a new group of like-minded folks who haven't violated your trust, or realize you've got a stronghold and seek healing.
Eventually, God was able to reveal through my thick skull that I allowed this stronghold in my life. I won't declare total freedom in this area yet. Weeding the tendrils of this stronghold from my everyday thinking is a process, but more and more often I recognize the lies and pause to correct my perceptions of people I encounter.
The funny thing is, now I once again attend a church where people dance, shout, laugh etc. and whether or not they are being emotional of 'off' really doesn't matter to me. That's between them and God. The point is, they are free to be completely themselves and if that includes whackadoodle-type behavior, so what.
My youngest daughter Jetta, has prophetically been saying to me for years, "Hey, don't judge mom." Hopefully, I'm making her and God happy by embracing people instead of pointing my finger at them.