Saturday, October 13, 2018

JUDGE NOT!



LESSON 35

We often first have to deal with the stumbling blocks within ourselves before we can overcome the stumbling blocks in our relationships.

Our judgments of another form opinions, which in turn form resistances that become like walls between ourselves and those we do not “approve” of.

Matthew 7:1-5 says it all:
“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.”

Judgmentalism is an attitude that becomes a stronghold by which the whole world is viewed and judged and quickly taken to task.  It is rooted in perfectionism, which stems from rejection and is married to pride.
When we find this attitude in our hearts, we need to humble ourselves, repent and God to help us get rid of the beam in our eyes.  Yes, it has to do with the way in which we see things, people and their actions.
We can judge the fruit, but never the person!  Sin remains sin and will receive judgment from the Lord. However, because we are all prone to stumbling, we should exercise the same grace and mercy on another as we expect to be treated with when we err.
Often, when someone has grown up with a measuring stick of “perfection” (from parents), he in turn will exact a perfect behavior and standard from everyone else, being a very hard task master, with no mercy. 
When, on the contrary, we take every situation to the Lord in prayer, asking God to show us the root of someone else’s rude, controlling or offensive behavior, He will give us divine perception.
From His point of view, understanding the root of the problem, we can easily forgive, praying for that person from a place of mercy and compassion to receive enlightened eyes of his understanding by God’s grace to repent and be restored to a place of righteous living.
In the meantime we can bless those who persecute us and revile us, knowing that they do not know what they do. When we have interactions with such people, let us pray for grace to see with the eyes of Jesus to not be offended by them, bless them and move on, without reliving the negative in our memories, or talking about it.
Luke 6 give us a whole list of how we should treat our enemies:
  • Love your enemies (v 27,35) ,35)
  • Bless them that curse you (v 28)
  • pray for them which despitefully use you (v 28)
  • Let them take what they demand of you (v 29)
  • Give (v 30, 38) and lend (v 35) 
  • Judge not, condemn not, but forgive (v 37)


In Isaiah 58 the Word says that we will walk into the light of healing when we withdraw the pointing of the finger!  So help us, God!

Prayer:  Father of glory, open the eyes of our understanding that we can see ourselves in the light of truth to repent of anything in our thoughts, words and actions that does not bring glory to you. You are a holy God and you want us to be true reflections of Your glory.  Change us, form us and mold us into Your image, Lord. And, Father, help us to take the path of lowliness to bring and end to hatred, judgments, accusation and division.  Give us Your perception of every unrighteous act and give and wisdom and grace to love others as we love ourselves. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.



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