Judgment

by Debi Baker


Jesus said in Matthew 7:1 NKJV, "1 Judge not, that you be not judged."  With that being said, I received the 'rod of correction' from God this week.  I was doing my devotional and it hit me right between the eyes.  Now, let me say this, I try very hard NOT to judge others.  I believe the Word when it says God is the Judge.  I am not!  However, there a a couple of topics that my hubby and I believe the Holy Spirit has convicted us on.  These 2 topics are huge...to us.  We believe that God has told us that we are not to participate in these particular activities.  Over the years I have taken it upon myself to get on my soapbox and speak against these activities.  And as a pastor, I believe that we preach from the Word of God, but the message is peppered with our own convictions as we've been led by the Spirit.

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Let me make it clear, I'm not talking about the unsaved participating in these activities; I'm talking about Christians, those people who claim to be followers of Christ and yet they participate in 1 or both of these activities where my hubby and I have been convicted by the Holy Spirit to NOT participate.

So, from the pulpit, I preach.  The devotional I've been reading is "Discerning the Voice of God:  How to recognize the voice of God" by Priscilla Shirer.  Let me just say, if you haven't picked it up yet...DO!!  It is phenomenal!!  On day 2 of week 3, I read, "The Holy Spirit leads me personally and individually."  Ok, that's not rocket science.  I went on to read the section called, "Same Destination, Different Directions."  In this section it said, "Others may not choose to take our roads - and they shouldn't, if it's not part of their map [Their map is equivalent to the 'roadmap of their life).  Nor should we challenge them regarding their routes, unless perhaps it's an issue of scriptural principle.  We should give others freedom to obediently follow the courses they've prayerfully determined are the best for them."

A little further on I read, "The Holy Spirit directs us according to His plan - a pan that could lead two believers in different directions, even though they equally love the Lord...Our responsibility is only to be sure we are following God's leading in our own lives."

Ok, God, I get it!  Just because You have directed me and my hubby in a specific direction concerning these 2 activities doesn't mean you've dealt with others in the same way.

So now I have to ask God to forgive me and help me deal with my judgment of others.  I didn't think I was judging...it didn't feel like judgment.  But in reality, it was.  Now, rather than me judging, I will ask God to deal with the hearts of others IF they aren't following His plan for their life.  Ultimately, we are all heading to the same destination; we're just taking different paths at different speeds.

So, do you find that you judge others based on those things which the Holy Spirit has convicted you?  If so, pray that God would help you to understand that perhaps He hasn't dealt with the other person on that subject!  I'll pray for you and you pray for me!

Have a great day!