Laying Down the Six-Shooters: When We’re Not God’s Sheriff

Laying Down the Six-Shooters: When We’re Not God’s Sheriff:

I can still hear his voice, a gentle rumble seasoned with years of wisdom. “I’ve turned in my six shooters,” he’d say with a wry smile, “I’m not God’s sheriff.” My mentor, a man deeply committed to his faith, was speaking a profound truth about the temptation we all face: the urge to play God.

We live in a world obsessed with judgment. Social media feeds are battlegrounds, opinions are weapons, and everyone seems to be pointing fingers. It’s easy, even within the church, to fall into the trap of believing we’re called to police everyone else’s spiritual walk. We see a flaw, a misstep, a perceived deviation from “the right way,” and we feel a righteous fire burning within us, urging us to “correct” them. We saddle up, strap on our metaphorical six-shooters, and ride into the fray, convinced we’re doing God’s work.

But my mentor’s words, “I’m not God’s sheriff,” serve as a powerful reminder: that role belongs to God alone.

The Burden of Unsolicited Correction

Think about the weight of that responsibility. Constantly monitoring, judging, and correcting others is exhausting and ultimately fruitless. It breeds resentment, creates division, and often pushes people further from the very God we claim to represent.

Consider these points:

• God’s Grace is Sufficient: We are not the ultimate arbiters of truth or righteousness. God’s grace, His forgiveness, and His transformative power are far more effective than our attempts at correction. Romans 14:4 reminds us, “Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, they stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.”¹
• Our Focus Should Be on Love: Jesus’s greatest commandment was to love God and love our neighbor. When we focus on love, correction takes on a different form. It becomes about gentle guidance, compassionate support, and prayerful intercession, rather than harsh judgment. 1 Corinthians 13 reminds us that even with the ability to speak with the angles, without love we are nothing.
• Humility is Key: Recognizing our own imperfections is crucial. We are all works in progress, constantly being refined by God. When we acknowledge our own struggles, we become less inclined to judge others. Matthew 7:3-5 warns us about taking the speck out of other peoples eyes, while we have logs in our own.
• The Holy Spirit’s Role: The Holy Spirit is the true agent of conviction and transformation. It’s His role to gently guide, correct, and lead people to repentance. Our role is to create an environment where the Holy Spirit can work freely.

Turning in the Six-Shooters

So, how do we “turn in our six shooters” and lay down the burden of being God’s sheriff?

• Practice Prayerful Discernment: Before offering correction, seek God’s guidance. Ask Him if it’s truly necessary, and if so, how to approach the situation with love and humility.
• Focus on Encouragement: Instead of constantly pointing out flaws, look for opportunities to encourage and uplift others. Build them up in their faith.
• Offer Support, Not Judgment: Be a source of support and encouragement, rather than a judge. Listen with empathy, offer prayer, and walk alongside them.
• Lead by Example: Let your life be a testimony of God’s love and grace. Live out your faith authentically and allow your actions to speak louder than words.
• Trust God’s Process: Remember that God is working in the lives of others, even when we can’t see it. Trust His timing and His methods.

Let us release the burden of being God’s sheriff and embrace the freedom of being His loving servants. Let us trade our six-shooters for hands of grace, our saddles for knees bent in prayer, and our judgments for hearts filled with love.

May we all learn to trust in the One who is truly righteous and allow Him to do the work only He can do.