Judging Rightly

 I Corinthians 2:14-16

 14But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

   There is a great deal of talk today and I suppose since the time man has been on the Earth about the subject of judging people and their actions and behaviors. People really do have in our day this sense that no one has a right to tell me that what I do is right or wrong so "don't you judge" me for I will do whatever I please and it is no one else's business. I'm afraid this has become the great chruch we use to justify our bad behavior and our pridefulness not to admit that we are wrong.

   Well many times we do make wrong judgments according to appearence not knowing all the dynamics that may be surrounding that person or what may be the cause of certain actions or behaviors. The Bible says in John 7:20-24: 20 The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee? 21Jesus answered and said unto them, I have done one work, and ye all marvel. 22Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man. 23If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day? 24Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

   Verse 24 is so powerful for the LORD Himself said it. We are not to judge on the appearance but we are to make a judgment call according to the Word of God. If what we see is completely contrary to righeousness by what the Bible says then we have the responsibility, not necessarily the right to bring what ever the case may be to the offending one's attention.

   The Bible tells us in II Timothy 3:16-17; 16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. Thank God for His Word. So many today like to say that the Bible was just written by man and that man put his own words in it so we are just as good as they were. So they say such things just to justify their unrighteousness and their ungodly behavior and actions and intents, another way not to fall under the authority of God. We too can use the Word just as the men of God as the verses indicated to reproof and for correction against that is ungodly.

   Also the Bible says in II Timothy 4:2-4; 2Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. Here is another clear indication as it says in verse 2 that we as God's children can reprove and rebuke on correction of the ungodliness of this old world we live in.

    In Hebrews 5: 14; 14But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. We that are full of age should be able to discern both good and evil. So sad to say that this is one area that the church of today is woefully lacking in.

   We have become so tolerant of the filth and ungodliness of this carnal world. We have lost in a big way this gift of discernment. We have fallen into this "don't you judge" just like the rest of the world because we don't want to offend anyone and so it goes, we, the church just can't offend for we are fearful of perhaps a lawsuit being brought against us or perhaps being shutdown.

   When are we going to get some backbone and a stick to it frame of mind that we will say what's right and what's wrong? So what should we be judging then? There are many things that could be said along this line and we must be so careful on how and why we make a judgment call whether it be against an individual, an object or a group. Making a judment call can be very difficult at times especially not knowing all the dynamics involved that may have brought on a particular set of circumstances. We can be sure that if something is against the principals and truths from the Word of God we can make the call when needed.

   Here are but a few but even then we must be very vigilant on how we judge as to not turn some poor soul from God for we sometimes can be way off base so be wise and judge righteously. (1) False teachers and preachers (2) False doctrines (3) Ungodly behavior (4) Ungodly speech (5) Whether one is a lier (6) Whether one is a whore or a whoremonger (7) Whether one is a drunk or a drughead (8) Whether one is a con or manipulator (9) Whether a group is a cult or of God (10) Whether a person's spirit bears witness with your spirit that you are of God the Father. These are but a precious few but if we really will give ourselves to God then we will be able to judge righteousness and be right.

   Also when we have certain area(s) in our own lives that we have trouble in, we are not to point out to another person that may have the same problem(s). That is when we become hypocrits in the worse possible way. Only after we have obtained complete victory can we do this but ONLY in the spirit of love and compassion.

    Oh that we could be as Solomon at these times. The Bible says in I Kings 3:9-11 9Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? 10And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. 11And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment. Notice how the LORD granted Solomon so much more for he prayed for the correct things in the right way and God blesse him the more. So be very careful when judging unless ywe be juded the same or perhaps worse. * Evangelist Stephen Blan