Being Judgmental

I truly have been re evaluating the whole "blog" thing. Reason being I have watched as some blog sites have become a place of gossip. Some have become a preachers excuse to vent. Some have become a way to become a brawler and a striker without the repercussions. I even made the comment to another preacher that I liked it because it got people fired up. I was wrong in saying that. So I wrote a little light heartedly the last few weeks as I evaluated my purpose.

I have thus decided that the purpose for my blog is to keep others up to date on family events and to teach Truth because I am a preacher and have an obligation to do so. Thus our topic this week is Judging. I write this because a few people have asked me what is "being judgmental." I write this to answer their question...not to get people upset...not to pick a fight with anyone...not to get 20 comments on why I am wrong. I am right on this because it is based on Scripture. Thus we begin...

"Judge Not Lest Ye Be Judged"
"God says to Forgive everyone whether they ask for it or not"
"It's Not our PLace to Judge"
"You are Judgmental!"
"Why can you pick and Choose which sins to jugde"

And the list goes on and on and on and on. Many excuses are shared, but none are legit. The cry is "We shouldn't judge." Well then, don't vote this election because you have judged. Don't pick a magazine over another. Don't tell that child not to put the fork in the light socket. Don't you stop that guy in black and a mask from entering your back door at 3 a.m. You don't know his heart. He may be coming to pray for your household or did you judge him by his clothes? Point is we all judge...everyday...and well we should.

Scripture tells us the following....
Luke 7:43 "Thou hast rightly judged"
Luke 12:57 "Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?"
John 7:24, "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment."
1 Cor. 10:15 "I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say"
1 Cor. 2:15 "But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man."
Romans 16:17 "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them."
Matthew 7:15 "Beware of false prophets" Hard to do without judging them.
"From such turn away" (2 Timothy 3:5). "Withdraw yourselves." (2 Thessalonians 3:6)
"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." (Ephesians 5:11)
"ABHOR THAT WHICH IS EVIL; CLEAVE TO THAT WHICH IS GOOD." (Romans 12:9)
"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." (1 Thessalonians 5:21)
"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try (test, judge) the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1). "

It is most difficult to obey these Biblical mandates without 'judging.' You see it is our Biblical responsibility to judge. Not with the attitude of being critical of those who do not share your opinions, but rather to encouragin their spiritual upbringing. We are to judge on matters of Biblical doctrine and morals.

We are not to judge preferences (Romans chapter 14; 1 Corinthians 10:23-33; and Colossians 2:16-17.) We are not to judge motives (1 Cor. 4:1-5). We are not to judge whether a soul is saved (2 Tim. 2:19). But Scripture teaches us that there are things we are to judge.

We are to judge false propthets by the standard of the WOrd of God. We are to judge those causing divisions and offenses in the church. We are to judge immoral living (1 Cor. 5) We are to judge disputes between Christians concerning things that pertain to this life (1 Cor. 6:3). We are to judge to keep the purity of the church. The churches that will constitue the Bride of Christ will be presented one day before God as without blemish spotfree and wrinklefree. We are to judge to keep the spots and blemmishes out. Such things are found in 2 Peter 2:13-22: Rioting, adultery, those that cannot cease from sin; those who beguile unstable souls, covetous practices, cursed children, the way of Balaam. These things must be judged Scripturally.

Then comes the argument "well no one is perfect so you need to judge everybody else." True. The only ones who get upset are those who will not cease from sinning which is who Peter is talking about. Those who are told they are wrong, but they will not change.

Then comes the favorite argument: "Matthew 7:1 "Judge not, that ye be not judged." Sounds convicting doesn't it? If we take a verse or part of a verse out of its context, we can make the Word of God pretty much teach whatever we want. Let's look at the verse in context. "Matthew 7:1-5 "Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold,a beam is in thine own eye? Thou HYPOCRITE, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye."

You see, Matt. 7:1-5 is addressed to a hypocrite, not to a person who truly wishes to discern between right and wrong in accordance to God's Word. This is a warning against hypocritical judgment. Matter of the fact, this Scripture again endorses Scriptural judging in that "then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote of thy brother's eye."

Fact is we all ought to judge ourselves (1 Cor. 13:5). What a change would take place if we would judge our own faults as much as we did the faults of others, but the fact is we should judge people after ourselves.

"PASTOR BURKE, YOU ARE JUDGMENTAL." YUP.