Learning How to Judge Correctly, Part II

You have heard that is was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’  But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.  And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council.  But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire. (Matthew 5:21-22, NKJV)

I have heard many times before that Christians shouldn’t judge others, but this is not true.  There are two types of judging, one which leads to redemption, the other to condemnation; one Jesus identifies by the word raca, the other by the word fool.  We examined the word fool in Learning How to Judge Correctly, Part I.  To summarize, to say “you fool” is to condemn someone.  Biblically speaking a fool is a person who has no redeemable qualities and is destined to spend eternity apart from God (Psalm 14:1; 53:1).

Now Christians, knowing the Word of God, are capable of judging what is right from wrong, good from evil, holy from unholy and spiritual from worldly.  Because we know the truth, we are not only capable of judging correctly, we are also told to do so.  Jesus says in Matthew 23:23, “… ye… have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done…”  (KJV).  In John 7:24, he says, “Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly” (NLT).  This lets us know that the issue is not with judging.  It is with how we judge – or how we neglect to judge.  This is the very issue Paul had with the Corinthians.  In 1 Corinthians 6:2, he rebukes them by saying, “… don’t you know that God’s people will judge the world?  If the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to judge trivial cases?” (CEB).   Paul is essentially saying raca to the Corinthians.  Raca literally mean “empty-headed”.  Today, we would use the word stupid.  Stupid is such an offensive word.  Isn’t it?  This is the reason Jesus warns us not to call our brothers and sisters stupid without cause.

So this is the dividing factor between judging to condemn and judging to correct. Are we simply asserting our own sort of justice or do we desire to empower and improve ourselves or the other person?  If we read 1 Corinthians, we would see how stupid the Corinthians were actually acting.  However, Paul didn’t simply rattle off every wrong they did and walked away.  He gave them godly instructions, to empower them so that they might be restored back into right relationship with God and right fellowship with each other.

Today let us start practicing judging correctly - understanding that this type of judging requires not only identifying the issues within ourselves or within others but it also involves corrective measures to empower and improve ourselves or the other person.

Learning How to Judge Correctly, Part I

You have heard that is was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’  But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.  And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council.  But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire. (Matthew 5:21-22, NKJV)

The Sermon on the Mount is found in Matthew Chapters 5 through 7.  It is called the “Sermon on the Mount” because Jesus literally went up on the side of a mountain, sat down and taught the people who gathered to see him.  Throughout the three chapters, as you can image, he taught on a wide range of subject matters.  However, in our particular passage, he taught on murder.

In the Old Testament, if someone killed another person without cause, the punishment was death.  Jesus takes this further by saying – not only should a person who physically murders without cause be in danger of death, but also a person who spiritually murders with words should also be in danger of death.

Now “killing” words are the same as “judging” words, and it is commonly believed that we should not speak in judgment of other Christians, but our text reveals two types of judgments, one that is acceptable, another that is not.  Today’s post will deal with the not acceptable one, which is to call someone a fool.  Next week’s post will deal with the acceptable one, which is to call someone Raca.

To call someone a fool is to say they do not believe in God (Psalm 14:1; 53:1).  It is to pronounce final judgment on someone.  It is to say to another that they are not saved but lost forever.  I have actually done this, and I venture to say that many other Christians have done this as well.  This is how that looks: Someone tells me that another Christian has done this or said that and my response is “Then they’re not really a Christian” or “Then they’re not really saved”.  How dare me and you!  We have just called our fellow believer a fool.  This is what Jesus warns us about in Matthew 7:1.  Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. (NLT)   In other words, if we send someone to damnation, pack a bag because we are going with them.  The implication is that there is no redemption for them, and no forgiveness in us.  We could look at David’s sin with Bathsheba and conclude that he was not a man of God, but we would be completely wrong.  He was a man of God.  Even when Paul dealt with the worst of us, he never denounced their Christianity.  He simply called them, and in essence us, Carnal Christians, but Christians still yet.

Today if you, like me, have pronounced final judgment on a fellow brother or sister let us first ask God to forgive us.  Then let us change the way we think towards each other, understanding that our goal is never to condemn but to forgive and restore one another.

Fighting Fear

We may boldly say: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?
Hebrews 13:6 NKJV


Have you ever on purpose watched a scary movie? The sudden slamming of a door in an empty house makes you jump in the movie theater.  I recall on my trip to Disneyland I had the nerve to go on the Bates Hotel ride. As you entered into the building it became dark and the scary music was playing and although I had not gotten to the point of being seated on the ride......along the way my senses were heightened and I was jumpy all the way through. Amusement parks and movies love to prey on people's fears and for some reason, there are people who like to be scared. 


When fear grips you and won't let go, you are immobilized.  Life can't continue as normal because there is no normal.  There is good news.  You and I do not have to be ruled by fear.  You have a powerful ally, the Creator of the universe.  Throughout the Bible, God's people struggled with being afraid.  While in captivity in Egypt, they feared for their lives knowing the Egyptian Army followed close behind.  The ever-present threat of war kept fear in their hearts for centuries.  Yet through all of these times, God promised to be near.


God is still near.  As the writer of Hebrews pointed out in his quote from Psalm 118:6, God is also your helper. Men cannot match His power.  This truth is the cornerstone for overcoming fear.  God is greater than your enemy, whether that enemy lives in the real world or in your mind.  Prayer is one of the greatest weapons against fear.  In prayer, you connect with God's power and presence.  Sometimes all it takes is a simple prayer of "Help" or "Calm Me" to overcome fear.  Other times, fervent prayer can help you discover a different answer to your fear.  Learn to live each day with an attitude of prayer and the word of God in your heart.  Know that God is in control and if He brought you to it then He will give you the strength to go through it. 

Seeking God's Face

Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and He will have mercy on them, and to our God, for He will freely pardon (Isaiah 55:6-7). 

The first word to start this verse off is "Seek".  The word "seek" means to go in search off or to look for.  This does not mean to sit around passively and wait for the Lord to move in my direction  but I am spoken to by the word of God to  "seek".  There are so many tasks to do during a course of a day, month, week or year and there are times even with the best intentions that to “seek” the Lord becomes less and less. 

We must ask the Lord to help us to not get so wrapped up in our day to day task that we forget or omit to seek you while you may be found.  Open our eyes that the possibilities to “seek” you are not only within the walls of church on Sunday but outside the church Monday through Sunday.  Thank you for the ability to seek you while we are on our morning commute, lunch, work break, or any other time if we purpose in our heart to do so.  We know the covenant you have made with us is everlasting and no one can take it away from us but we can hinder the progress in our own life.  Thank you for moving us beyond ourselves and the day to day task this year in order to “seek” you more.  In Jesus Name, I pray, Amen.

God Has Our Backs

Finally, I brought you into the land of the Amorites on the east side of the Jordan.  They fought against you, but I destroyed them before you.  I gave you victory over them, and you took possession of their land.  Then Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, started a war against Israel.  He summoned Balaam son of Beor to curse you, but I would not listen to him.  Instead, I made Balaam bless you, and so I rescued you from Balak. (Joshua 24:8-10)

I have experienced many victories in my life. Even now thoughts overwhelm me, and I thank God for every obstacle diverted, every offense forgiven, and every hurt healed.  You may can give a similar praise.  Without details – you too perhaps can say, because of God's direction and guidance, success has been the mantra of your life.  The triumphs I am speaking of, however, are only those we are aware of – the obstacles, offenses and hurts we have come face-to-face with and overcame, forgave and evaded.

There are however victories, in our lives, we know nothing about.  With those types of victories, only God and the enemy, who tries to hinder and destroy us, will ever know the full story.  In our text for today, we find God having the backs of the Israelites.  You see - the Israelites knew about the battle and their victory over the Amorites.  But, they know nothing about the battle and their victory over Balak and Balaam.  Why?  Because God had their backs, and took care of them without Israel knowing.

Today let us know that God has our backs also.  Whether we realize it or not – God is always looking out for us.  So we should always have a praise to offer Him.  To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent.  O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever. (Psalm 30:12, NKJV)  Why is this?  Because He has our backs!

Enlarge My Territory

 

Jabez prayed to the God of Israel: "Bless me, O bless me! Give me land, large tracts of land. And provide your personal protection-don't let evil hurt me." God gave him what he asked (1 Chronicles 4:10 MSG).

As we continue throughout this year enlargement, doors opening and abundant opportunity awaits.  This is a time of New Beginnings and for some New Year Resolutions.  Now is the time to move forward with momentum and purpose.  What personal goals have you set for yourself this year?  Are you frustrated because a few of those same goals are on your list from last year?  If so, take the pressure off and celebrate the things on your list last year that you did not accomplish.  How about goals you accomplished that you never wrote down but they came to pass still the same?  Hopefully, you are getting the real point.  The real point being it is nice to have goal statements and action plans but they are only as good as the action behind them. 

One of the most important things to do at the beginning of the year is to take time to seek God and ask Him what His will is for your life in the New Year.  God will speak if you quiet yourself and listen, at that point have a journal or paper with pen ready to write down what God tells you.  You will be surprised of the pressure that will be taken off of you and the great opportunities that awaits not only naturally but spiritually.  But with these blessings come another level of responsibility and in many cases accountability.  Pray and ask God by the power of the Holy Spirit to help you be ready in your thinking and pursuing.  Too not sit down when you need to get up. Too not back up when you need to step up and not to grow weary in well doing. Thank God for the word that directs your path and leads you to the land of promise.  Have a blessed and prosperous year.

Good Gifts

Would any of you give your hungry child a stone, if the child asked for some bread?  Would you give your child a snake if the child asked for a fish?  As bad as you are, you still know how to give good gifts to your children.  But your heavenly Father is even more ready to give good things to people who ask. (Matthew 7:9-11, CEV)

I was taught growing up never to give anything that I would not want for myself.  This was ingrained in me.  So I am always mindful of what I give to others, whether in a form of words, deeds or actual gifts.  For example, I periodically go through my house, seeing what I should keep, give away or throw away.  Some people call this “spring” cleaning.  In the “to keep” pile are things that I currently use or need.  In the “give away” pile are things I would keep, if I still had the need for them.  In the “throw away” pile are things that are broken, worn down, snagged or ripped – and therefore not wanted or needed and would never even consider to give away.  In other words, I check out the quality of the item before giving it to someone else.

In Matthew 7:9-11 Jesus is speaking about giving good gifts.  Based on the content, he is actually speaking about the quality of the gift.  In other words, a good gift is one of good quality and of good use.  A stone and a snake are of no use or of good quality for a hungry child, but bread and fish are.  Likewise, when I’m during my “spring cleaning”, a torn shirt and a broken chair are of no use or of good quality for anyone - not for myself or someone else.

Today, let us be mindful of what we are giving to others.  Let us give good gifts - kind and encouraging words as well as deeds that actually meet the needs of others.