Judging

4/12/2001

Can you clarify what Jesus and Paul meant when they said, don’t “judge”? (Mat 7:1 or 1Cor. 4:5) Some folks think I’m judging them when I am telling them the truth.

Hi… : ) Ok. Now think about this a minute. Who wrote 1Cor. 4:5? Of course the Holy Spirit—but by whose hand? Paul, right? AND, how long does it take to write a page of text—maybe 20 minutes? Or an hour, if you’re doing it by quill and ink, with a scribe. SO, ASK THEM TO EXPLAIN how 20 minutes before Paul wrote 1Cor.4:5, he had already written to the SAME FOLKS,

The spiritual person is able to judge all things, but no one can judge him. The Scripture says: “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Who has been able to teach him?” (Isaiah 40:13) But we have the mind of Christ. (1Cor. 2:15-16)

Was Paul, or the Holy Spirit, schizophrenic??!! Of course not! And, fifteen minutes AFTER he wrote 1Cor 4:5, Paul wrote (by the SAME HOLY SPIRIT),

“It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your job to judge those inside the church who are sinning. God will judge those on the outside; but as the Scriptures say, “You must remove the evil person from among you.” (1Cor. 5:12-13)

RIDDLE ME THIS!!! ;) OBVIOUSLY, GOD DOES NOT MEAN “DON’T EVER INVADE ANYONE’S SPACE AND CHALLENGE SOMETHING IN THEIR LIVES”—He actually COMMANDS IT!!!!!

Sensitivity is essential. Timing must also be Holy Spirit inspired. BUT, to say that it can’t be done or shouldn’t be done CONTRADICTS GOD! That’s not a good idea, really. Heb. 3:12-14 says that this “intrusion” is the only hope we all HAVE of not being “hardened and deceived.” Speak the Truth IN LOVE—but Speak the Truth, always. Some will ALWAYS prefer the shadows and darkness—but Jesus and Paul said that those who LOVE the LIGHT (John 3) and LOVE the TRUTH (2Thes.2) are those who He can save—and they will WANT you to try to talk to them!

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