We are called to exercise righteous judgment, which involves discerning right from wrong while maintaining a spirit of love and humility. This concept is often misunderstood as a prohibition against any form of judgment, but it is more about being "fruit inspectors" rather than judges. Righteous judgment means evaluating actions and behaviors around us with a heart that seeks truth and love, not condemnation. It requires us to be mindful of our attitudes, ensuring that we are not harsh or arrogant in our discernment. [06:14]
"Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment." (John 7:24, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a situation where you have been quick to judge someone. How can you approach this person with a spirit of love and humility today?
Day 2: Balancing Truth and Love
The Gospel inherently calls for repentance and can be offensive, but our delivery of this truth should be underscored with love. It is crucial to avoid extremes—being overly judgmental or too lenient—as both can distort the message of Christ. The challenge lies in balancing truth and love, ensuring that while the Gospel may offend, our attitude does not. We must strive to communicate the truth with grace, avoiding a harsh or arrogant demeanor. [08:16]
"Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ." (Ephesians 4:15, ESV)
Reflection: Consider a truth you need to share with someone. How can you ensure your approach is filled with love and not harshness?
Day 3: Respecting Individual Convictions
Romans 14 emphasizes the importance of respecting personal convictions, especially in areas not explicitly outlined in Scripture. This respect is vital for maintaining unity within the body of Christ. Whether it's about celebrating certain holidays, educational choices, or lifestyle decisions, we must allow for personal convictions and avoid imposing our own on others. By doing so, we foster an environment of understanding and unity, recognizing that each person's journey with God is unique. [12:47]
"One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind." (Romans 14:5, ESV)
Reflection: Identify an area where you have been imposing your convictions on others. How can you practice respect and understanding in this area today?
Day 4: Avoiding a Critical Spirit
A critical spirit often stems from a desire to elevate oneself by pulling others down. True judgment, as intended by Scripture, is about addressing moral issues that dishonor God and lead others astray. It involves speaking out against societal wrongs while maintaining a heart of humility and grace. We must be cautious of a critical heart, ensuring that our motives are pure and aligned with God's will, rather than self-serving. [24:12]
"Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?" (Matthew 7:3, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you have been critical of someone. What steps can you take to address this with humility and grace?
Day 5: Submitting Plans to God
Boasting about tomorrow without acknowledging God's sovereignty is a form of arrogance. Instead, we should submit our plans to God, seeking His guidance and wisdom in all our endeavors. This humility ensures that our actions align with His will, rather than our own self-centered desires. By acknowledging God's sovereignty, we demonstrate trust in His perfect plan and timing for our lives. [33:04]
"Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit'—yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes." (James 4:13-14, ESV)
Reflection: What plans have you made without seeking God's guidance? How can you submit these plans to Him today?
Sermon Summary
In today's reflection, we explored the often misunderstood concept of judgment within the Christian faith. Many people misinterpret the biblical directive "judge not" as a blanket prohibition against any form of judgment. However, as we delve into John 7:24, we find that Jesus encourages us to judge with righteous judgment. This means discerning right from wrong, not sentencing others as a judge would in a court of law. We are called to be "fruit inspectors," discerning the actions and behaviors around us while maintaining a spirit of love and humility.
The challenge lies in balancing truth and love. While the truth of the Gospel can be offensive, our attitude should not be. We must avoid the extremes of being overly judgmental or too lenient, as both can distort the message of Christ. The Gospel, by its nature, will offend because it calls for repentance and a turning away from sin. Yet, it is crucial to deliver this truth with love, avoiding a harsh or arrogant demeanor.
Romans 14 teaches us about the importance of respecting individual convictions, especially in matters that are not explicitly outlined in Scripture. Whether it's about celebrating certain holidays, educational choices, or lifestyle decisions, we must allow for personal convictions and avoid imposing our own on others. This respect for individual conscience is vital in maintaining unity within the body of Christ.
Furthermore, we must be cautious of a critical spirit, which often stems from a desire to elevate ourselves by pulling others down. True judgment, as intended by Scripture, is about addressing moral issues that dishonor God and lead others astray. It is about speaking out against societal wrongs while maintaining a heart of humility and grace.
Finally, we touched on the importance of seeking God's will in our plans. Boasting about tomorrow without acknowledging God's sovereignty is a form of arrogance. Instead, we should submit our plans to God, seeking His guidance and wisdom in all our endeavors. This humility ensures that our actions align with His will, rather than our own self-centered desires.
Key Takeaways
1. Righteous Judgment: We are called to judge with righteous judgment, discerning right from wrong while maintaining a spirit of love and humility. This involves being "fruit inspectors" rather than sentencing others. [06:14]
2. Balancing Truth and Love: The Gospel will naturally offend as it calls for repentance, but our delivery should be underscored with love, avoiding harshness or arrogance.[08:16]
3. Respecting Individual Convictions: Romans 14 teaches us to respect personal convictions in areas not explicitly outlined in Scripture, fostering unity within the body of Christ.[12:47]
4. Avoiding a Critical Spirit: A critical heart often seeks to elevate oneself by criticizing others. True judgment addresses moral issues that dishonor God, with a heart of humility and grace. [24:12]
5. Submitting Plans to God: Boasting about tomorrow without acknowledging God's sovereignty is arrogance. We should submit our plans to God, seeking His guidance and wisdom. [33:04] ** [33:04]
Bible Reading: - John 7:24 - Romans 14 - James 4:13-17
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Observation Questions:
What does John 7:24 mean when it instructs us to "judge with righteous judgment"? How does this differ from the judgment rendered in a court of law? [06:14]
According to the sermon, what is the role of a "fruit inspector" in the context of Christian judgment? [07:37]
How does Romans 14 guide us in respecting individual convictions, and what are some examples mentioned in the sermon? [09:53]
What does James 4:13-17 warn against when it comes to making plans for the future? How should we approach planning according to this passage? [32:19]
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Interpretation Questions:
How can Christians balance truth and love when discussing controversial topics, according to the sermon? What are the potential pitfalls of leaning too far in one direction? [08:16]
In what ways can a critical spirit manifest in a church community, and how does the sermon suggest we address it? [24:12]
How does the sermon interpret the concept of submitting our plans to God, and what does it mean to boast about tomorrow? [33:04]
What does the sermon suggest about the importance of respecting personal convictions, and how can this foster unity within the church? [12:47]
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Application Questions:
Reflect on a time when you judged someone harshly. How might you approach a similar situation differently now, using "righteous judgment"? [06:14]
Consider a controversial topic you feel strongly about. How can you discuss it with others in a way that balances truth and love? [08:16]
Identify an area in your life where you might have a critical spirit. What steps can you take to address this and cultivate a heart of humility and grace? [24:12]
Think about a personal conviction you hold that might differ from others in your church community. How can you respect others' convictions while maintaining your own? [12:47]
When making plans for the future, how can you ensure that you are submitting them to God rather than boasting about your own intentions? [33:04]
How can you encourage unity within your church by respecting individual convictions, especially in areas not explicitly outlined in Scripture? [12:47]
Reflect on a recent decision you made. Did you seek God's guidance in that decision? How might you approach future decisions differently? [33:04]
Sermon Clips
Jesus actually encourages his followers to judge with righteous judgment. This misconception of judging is an attempt to conform the scriptures to support opinions. So when people say, listen about gay marriage or abortion or all these Hot Topics that the church isn't supposed to talk about, I guess because they're hot topics, so keep your mouth quiet and don't talk about these things. [00:06:14]
We are called to be the salt and the light. We are called to discern what is right and wrong. We are called to say this is not right, this is what's happening in our nation, this is not right. The pulpit used to set the tone of the nation. I've talked about that before. We are to judge and to call things into question. [00:07:37]
The truth will offend, but my attitude shouldn't. That's the difference. The truth will offend, but my attitude shouldn't. It shouldn't be a judgmental, go get them angry person. You've seen those people on TV, right? You're like, oh, please don't be representing Christianity right now, please. And they're just mean and nasty. [00:08:16]
Romans 14 is based on convictions. Who are you to judge another servant? To his own Master he stands or falls. And you're probably going, Shane, do you have a few examples? I'm glad you asked. I've got quite a few examples, and believe it or not, your truly has fallen in this area before of being judgmental. [00:12:47]
We can do that in holidays. What about schooling? Public School, charter school, home school, getting some good arguments there, can't we? Well, how could you use it? I mean, I've got good friends in all three of those, pastors I look up to. I could name them now. Many of you have read Francis Chen's book, I believe. [00:15:01]
When it comes to convictions like this of the conscience, we can't, we can have strong opinions, but I have a feeling that it applies here because we're putting our own convictions on other people. And I've noticed too that a person's seasoned in their faith 20 years, very mature, they're going to have stronger convictions. [00:16:47]
The Bible talks about airing on the side of Grace. If I'm going to Heir, I'm going to Heir on the side of Grace unless it's an issue that needs to be dealt with unless it's a pretty big issue. We're going to air on the side of Grace. Also know the facts, know the facts, hear both sides. [00:20:44]
Jesus said move the plank from your eye first so you can rightly judge others if you move the plank from your eye first. Well, Shane, what is that? That is humbling yourself. It's when we humble ourselves and we say, you know what, I haven't mastered certain areas. I've got, I need help in this area. [00:21:31]
Now regarding moral issues that destroy lies and dishonor God, we are to judge. We are to call into question behaviors, choices, and Lifestyles that lead people in a dangerous Direction, especially if these issues are to become social policy and legally sanctioned. So I believe the church should be able to judge. [00:24:12]
The whole goal of Confrontation is restoration. That's the goal, that's the purpose. It's never to kick somebody out and get rid of them. It's for restoration. But what I was saying on a different note, Titus 3:10 says to warn a divisive person a few times and after that have nothing to do with them. [00:27:42]
We have a certain gifting or certain calling. We tend to judge others that don't. For example, those who have a calling towards politics, Dobson, Tony Perkins, Family Research Council, David Barton, wall Builders, and all these people you're seeing, they have a thank God for them. Thank God for people. [00:28:02]
The key is this: it doesn't say not to talk about or plan for the future. It says don't boast in it. So the right way to do this is, Lord, here's what I'd like to do over the next year. I'd like to sell my house, I'd like to move here, I'd like to do this, I'd like to store here. [00:33:04]