Judging: July 15, 2011

July 15 2011. TODAYS WORD FOR FRIDAY JULY 15, 2011.

JUDGING

DEFINITION:

To infer, think or hold as an opinion; to make a mental judgment.

SCRIPTURE:

“Judge not, that you be not judged.” Matthew 7:1

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

What better way is there to tell people to mind their own business than by quoting what Jesus said, “Judge not, that you be not judged.” This happens especially by people who seldom read the Bible. But if you read this seventh chapter of Matthew (verses 1-5) you will see what Jesus meant.

In these verses Jesus pulls no punches concerning the criticizer, the one who judges. In verse one Jesus says, do not judge and do not criticize. In verse two He says the criticizer will be judged. In verse three He mentions that the one who judges fails to examine himself.

In verse four Jesus says that the criticizer is deceived about himself when he judges others. In verse five Jesus calls the criticizer a hypocrite and in verse six He says the criticizer is undeserving of the gospel.

Take a moment and think of all the awful sins listed here committed by the criticizer. Christ says the criticizer will stand in the day of judgment guilty of inconsistency, self-righteousness, spiritual blindness, self deception, uncharitableness, lack of love, hypocrisy and abuse of the gospel.

The word judge means to criticize, condemn or censor. It is fault-finding and most often picky. But when someone thinks judging is necessary they often miss the point that the scripture shares with us. When a person slips it is a time for compassion not censoring. It is time to reach out with a helping hand and not a time to use your hand and push one away. It is a time to speak kindly and encourage, not negatively or destructive.

Most people judge others because it boosts one’s self image. It is simply enjoyed by the criticizer and makes one feel better than the other person. It allows one to justify their decisions at the expense of someone else’s decisions. And unfortunately it is an outlet for one to hurt or show revenge to the one who possibly failed.

We should not judge, first, because the scripture tells us not to judge. Secondly, we do not know all the circumstances and facts. All people fall short and when we fall short we want someone to comfort us, to show compassion and to lend a helping hand.

God is our final judge and believers will be judged by the quality of fruit they produce. This fruit cannot be judged by earthly values but by heavenly values. Galatians 5:22 lists the fruits of the Spirit which are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness and faithfulness.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in James 1:22.

But be doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving ourselves.

PRAYER:

Help our family to be slow to judge others and quick to judge ourselves. Help us to produce the fruits of the spirit that will draw people to You and not away. Help us to lead others by Your love and do this as a humble servant of our Lord and Savior.