Last week we looked at judging those outside the church and how The Bible really forbids it.
1 Corinthians 5: 12a It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders….
Romans 2: 1 – 3 speaks really clearly about judging those outside the church when we inside the church are doing the same things.
EXAMPLE: study came out that stated that homosexuality is 2% of the population. Last week 68% of men and 18% of women looked at pornography. Which is a bigger problem in God’s eyes?
1 Corinthians 5: 12b It is my responsibility to judge those inside the church
EXAMPLE inside the church does not mean that they come to church. We are talking about those who claim to have a relationship with Jesus.We want to look at some guidelines to help us in this area. We don’t want people with problems to feel like they are being thrown to the wolves because people are going to judge their every action.
Let;s look at guidelines about how we are to handle each other in this area.
- Setting self up as judge.
Matthew 7: 1 Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.
Corinthians says we are to judge those in the church, but now Jesus says don’t judge.
Don’t set yourself up as judge over others.
- Bible is profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3: 16
- Holy Spirit will convict the world of its sin John 16: 8
EXAMPLE: If God’s word is silent about a subject, we need to be silent about it too.
Warning from Paul Romans 16: 17, 18 …Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interest.
When we judge others by our own prejudices we are judging by appearances which is forbidden in John 7: 24
EXAMPLE: a sign at the Billy Graham museum states this quote, “Spirit convicts, God judges, and I love.”
Same measure will be poured back on us so we have to do it right.
2. Mercy over judgement
James 2: 12, 13 So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free. There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.
1 Peter 4: 8 Love covers a multitude of sins.
3. Restore Gently
Galatians 6: 1 If another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humble help that person back onto the right path.
The purpose of judging others is to bring them to a place of restoration, not put a wall up between them and us.
4. Spirit of Mourning
1 Corinthians 5: 1, 2 person caught in sin brings mourning, sorrow and shame.
Paul was incredibly grieved over the sin that was happening in the church. This should probably be our attitude when dealing with a situation.
Questions from last week.
How do I address rumors in the church about me?
1 Peter 3: 16…Keep your conscious clear. Then if people speak against you they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong.
We don’t address them, we just continue to walk in integrity before Jesus and let those things play out.
Someone says don’t judge me?
Pearls before swine turn and devour you Matthew 7: 6
Don’t even eat with them 1 Corinthians 5: 11
We can only minister to those who want to be ministered to.
5. No set standard on what to do.
EXAMPLE Paul mentioned people’w names of those who turned their back on God and gave up on him. Another time a man was sleeping with his father’s mother and Paul does not tell us who it is.
There is no paintbrush to tell us how to deal with every situation. We need the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to know what to do in these situations.
6. Judge ourselves first
1 Corinthians 11: 31 judge ourselves and we will not come under judgement.