Judging: August 28, 2013

TODAY’S WORD FOR WEDNESDAY AUGUST 28, 2013.

JUDGING

DEFINITION:

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

SCRIPTURE:

Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you Matthew 7:1-2

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 should examine himself first. So often things we find fault within others are no worse than the faults in ourselves.

In verse four Jesus says that the criticizer is deceived about himself when he judges others. The one who critizes magnifies the faults of others while excusing his or her own

This makes it very clear what our Lord feels about we as believer’s judging others.

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 hand out condemnation. It is a time to speak kindly and encourage, not negatively or harmfully.

Most people judge others because it boosts one's self image. It is part of our sinful nature to want to tear others down to build ourselves up. 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 us. Jesus would have us judge ourselves first and then show forgiveness to others. Then we will have no desire to criticize and judge.

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 Colossians 3:16.

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

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.