When someone says Judge not, lest ye be judged Lots of people misuse that quote from Matthew, in order to justify their sinful ways, saying dont you judge my actions. But, if you take the time to read the whole concept behind that phrase in Matthew, what it is really saying is this Be not a hypocrite. Proverbs 3:12 “For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. ” Proverbs 15:31-33 “If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise. If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding. Fear of the Lord teaches wisdom; humility precedes honor.” 1 Corinthians 4:14 “I do not write this to shame you, but to warn and counsel you as my beloved children.” Proverbs 9:7-9 ” Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get an insult in return. Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt. So don’t bother correcting mockers; they will only hate you. But correct the wise, and they will love you. Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more.” 2 Timothy 3 All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness The only perfect man to walk the Earth is Christ, the rest of us must continually evolve in our understanding and faith. But I understand this- being commanded to instruct and lead others into the light, brings with it a duty to show them what they are doing wrong. If we are not permitted to show them what they are doing wrong, we are sustaining their wrongness and sins by our silence, and going contrary to Gods commandment. Ephesians 6:13-18 gives us a description of the spiritual armor God gives us. We are to stand firm with (a) the belt of truth, (b) the breastplate of righteousness, (c) the gospel of peace, (d) the shield of faith, (e) the helmet of salvation, (f) the sword of the Spirit, and (g) by praying in the Spirit. What do these pieces of spiritual armor represent for us in our spiritual warfare? We are to speak the truth against Satan’s lies. We are to rest in the fact that we are declared righteous because of Christ’s sacrifice for us. We are to proclaim the Gospel no matter how much resistance we receive. We are not to waver in our faith, no matter how strongly we are attacked. Our ultimate defense is the assurance we have of our salvation, and the fact that spiritual forces cannot take that away. Our offensive weapon is to be the Word of God, not our own opinions and feelings. We are to follow Jesus’ example in recognizing that some spiritual victories are only possible through prayer. James 5:19-20 My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. Mark 4:34 He expounded all things to his disciples—That they might be capable of instructing others. Outside hearers, those who do not come into close fellowship with the true disciples of Christ, have seldom more than a superficial knowledge of Divine things. In the fellowship of the saints, where Jesus the teacher is always to be found, every thing is made plain, —for the secret of the Lord is with them who fear him. Matthew 5:19 19 Whoever then goes against the smallest of these laws, teaching men to do the same, will be named least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who keeps the laws, teaching others to keep them, will be named great in the kingdom of heaven. 1 Timothy 4:11-16 11 Enjoin and teach these things. 12 Let no one despise thy youth, but be a model of the believers, in word, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13 Till I come, give thyself to reading,[8] to exhortation, to teaching. 14 Be not negligent of the gift [that is] in thee, which has been given to thee through prophecy, with imposition of the hands of the elderhood. 15 Occupy thyself with these things; be wholly in them, that thy progress may be manifest to all. 16 Give heed to thyself and to the teaching; continue in them; for, doing this, thou shalt save both thyself and those that hear thee. Titus 1:9-16 holding fast to the faithful Message which he has received, so that he may be well qualified both to encourage others with sound teaching and to reply successfully to opponents. 10 For there are many that spurn authority—idle, talkative and deceitful persons, who, for the most part, are adherents of the Circumcision. 11 You must stop the mouths of such men, for they overthrow the faith of whole families, teaching what they ought not, just for the sake of making money. 12 One of their own number—a Prophet who is a countryman of theirs—has said, Cretans are always liars, dangerous animals, idle gluttons. 13 This testimony is true. Therefore sternly denounce them, that they may be robust in their faith, 14 and not give attention to Jewish legends and the maxims of men who turn their backs on the truth. 15 To the pure everything is pure; but to the polluted and unbelieving nothing is pure, but on the contrary their very minds and consciences are polluted. 16 They profess to know God; but in their actions they disown Him, and are detestable and disobedient men, and for any good work are utterly useless. 1 Corinthians 4:14 “I do not write this to shame you, but to warn and counsel you as my beloved children.”
Posted on: Sun, 27 Oct 2013 13:26:41 +0000