Some of us do not know that there is a significant difference between judgment and discernment. God sees people hearts and knows their motives. Only God can accurately judge those who deserve punishment. Ultimately, Christ will sit in judgment upon us all in the day of judgment.
"Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven." Luke 6:37.
Our problem is that we like to sit in the judgment seat and pronounce condemnation upon those whom we think have sinned. Scripture commands us not to judge or condemn others, for we cannot be judgmental and redemptive at the same time. It can be very difficult to pray sincerely for someone while we are judging them. At times our judgmental attitude can seem to provide us an excuse not to become involved in God's redemptive work in someone's life. God reminds us through His Word that He will treat us with the same grace or severity with which we treat others.
God commands us not to judge others, however, He does want us discerning. Jesus said that we would know people's spiritual condition by the fruit of their lives. He said grapes are not produced by thorn bushes. If a person's life produces thorns, we can assume that person is not a grapevine! Are we being judgmental? No, we are being discerning. Scripture commands us to avoid associating with scoffers or fools. Unless we are able to identify scoffers and fools, we cannot obey God's commands. This is not being judgmental, this is being discerning. As Christians, we have been instructed to observe the lives of others so that we can help them while avoiding any sinful influence.
Friends, we will only be helpful to others if we see them as God sees them. If we have been judgmental of others, ask forgiveness and pledge to let God us as His ministers of reconciliation.
May God Richly Bless You Today!! H Trent!
"Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven." Luke 6:37.
Our problem is that we like to sit in the judgment seat and pronounce condemnation upon those whom we think have sinned. Scripture commands us not to judge or condemn others, for we cannot be judgmental and redemptive at the same time. It can be very difficult to pray sincerely for someone while we are judging them. At times our judgmental attitude can seem to provide us an excuse not to become involved in God's redemptive work in someone's life. God reminds us through His Word that He will treat us with the same grace or severity with which we treat others.
God commands us not to judge others, however, He does want us discerning. Jesus said that we would know people's spiritual condition by the fruit of their lives. He said grapes are not produced by thorn bushes. If a person's life produces thorns, we can assume that person is not a grapevine! Are we being judgmental? No, we are being discerning. Scripture commands us to avoid associating with scoffers or fools. Unless we are able to identify scoffers and fools, we cannot obey God's commands. This is not being judgmental, this is being discerning. As Christians, we have been instructed to observe the lives of others so that we can help them while avoiding any sinful influence.
Friends, we will only be helpful to others if we see them as God sees them. If we have been judgmental of others, ask forgiveness and pledge to let God us as His ministers of reconciliation.
May God Richly Bless You Today!! H Trent!
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