Sunday, March 9, 2014

Judging

JUDGING VERSUS CONDEMNATION


Judging unto correction
1 King 3:9... Give therefore Thy servant an understanding heart to judge Thy people, that I may discern between good and bad.
Job 34:4... Let us choose to us judgement: let us know among ourselves what is good.

The word "judging" has been wrongly interpreted by many believers in Christ. If by judgement you mean to accuse someone of wrongdoing, then follow Jesus' example and do not judge until you are certain that you are perfectly pure.

Matthew 7:1-6... says Judge NOT, that YOU be NOT judged.


The above speaks of judging in the flesh, condemning with a carnal mind.
If we stop here, then you could say DON'T JUDGE, but since Jesus went on we see that we CAN judge. Let us look at the rest of what He said, "For if you judge, you will be judged by the same standard by which you judge." Jesus says that if we are to judge, we'll be handed back the same measure that we judged with. If your life is right with the Lord, then why would you fear the judgement on yourself? But, how do we judge one another?

John 7:24... Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgement.

God's Word is sufficient for guidance regarding judging and evaluating.

John 8:15-24... teaches us how to judge. Jesus himself does not even judge according to the flesh. But, if we judge according to the scriptures, we better make sure that we don't fail ourselves in the particular area in which we judge others.

We must judge according to the Scripture, not unto condemnation, but correction. Judging is often misunderstood and misused as accusation and condemning. That is why many Christians think we should not judge. But the God-like Biblical judging is a wonderful way of opening the eyes of the one who is falling by the wayside. If nobody tells him he may get lost and he may not know how to come back. We judge others in the Love of Christ, not with harsh words and condemnation, but according to God's Word. 


Zechariah 7:9...Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgement, and shew mercy and compassion every man to his brother.

It should be the Word of God that the believer speaks, that will judge the person, NOT the believer's opinion. God is the only Judge to judge unto condemnation, but when we judge each other, we must judge as to correct, not to condemn. Not with an attitude as if we know it so well, or are so good, but in the Love of Christ. Really, God has judged sin already, but also provided a Remedy.

Leviticus 19:15...Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgement: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.

Judging as in estimating, determining, measuring your brother's sin according to the scriptures. Approaching him, helping and supporting to bring him back on track with the Lord. That is in simple English what Biblical Judging means. Admonishing , warning, correcting and restoring is called Nouthetic Counseling, according to Paul. 


Luke 7:43..."You have rightly judged" , were Jesus words to Simon Peter.
Luke 12: 57... Yes, and why, even of yourselves, do you not judge what is right? 


This is how we should judge, using the scriptures as our standard.

Hebrews 4:12... For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Test the spirit of those addressing you. 1 John 4:1-6.


Measure what I and others say according to the Bible. It is the standard provided by God.

2 Timothy 3:16-17. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

1 Corinthians 2:15... The spiritual man makes judgements about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgement.

1 Corinthians 6:2-5... Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? If you have judgements concerning things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge? I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren?

Of course there are some who don't want to hear any warning or admonition. They would call the approach "judging" as accusation, hiding themselves behind this, as not to have their sins revealed. They would like to bring Biblical judging to a stop , or a halt, throwing back the ball to the believer who tries to bring them back to obedience unto the Lord.
Let us as brothers and sisters in Christ strive to find the TRUTH, the Word of God, that we may have eternal life. It is a blessing to be judged correctly by anyone who speaks TRUTH per God's principles and NOT man's.

Psalm 51: 6,7...Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Psalm 107:43...Whoever is wise will observe these things, and they will understand the loving-kindness of the Lord.

MAY THE LORD ADD HIS BLESSING TO HIS WORD. Amen!

Copyright © Dr.Trudy Veerman, 1996-1014. All rights reserved.

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