A CRITICAL ISSUE: JUDGING

 A CRITICAL ISSUE: JUDGING

   Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man who has not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, and has not stood in the way of sinners, and has not sat in the seat of the scornful.

   Romans 12:1-3 I beseech you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, pleasing to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, in order to prove by you what is that good and pleasing and perfect will of God. For I say, through the grace given to me, to every one who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think. But set your mind to be right-minded, even as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith.

  The question “Is it right to judge?” arises repeatedly.

  Most often it is heard in, itself a judgment statement, someone quoting a fragment of God’s Word out context: “Judge not, lest ye be judged”.

  I was personally initially exposed to the argument from reading it in our weekly county newspaper, The Aegis. The two main writers being my godmother Aunt Mary and our pastor Don McKnight. She believing the fragment. He believing “the whole counsel of God” and addressing the matter topically from Scripture.

 The event led me to invest time in a 2Timothy2:15-16 work. The first thing I discovered is that it is a topic not taught in most churches and consequently misunderstood by many people. But it was done by one of my older wiser mentors, Bud Bond. He Biblically teaching the difference between self-righteous criticism and righteous critiquing.

  Criticizing comes from an individual’s ego, their pride. Criticism is in mans’ unregenerate sinful nature.

  Critiquing flows from an individual’s concerned love. It is presented with the hope for edifying solution, healthy remedy. Critiquing often includes suggestions or ways in the interest of repair; regeneration pleasing to the Lord. Prophets, Jesus, the apostles, and others judged in this caring manner.

  As God’s John 1:12 authorized family we are to think and speak truth. This includes judging rightly (Jn.7:24; Lk.12:57). We can only do so on this or any other topic when studiously grounding in what God says in His Word.

  In the near future I’ll be sharing with you that which I have learned.

EBB4