A little slow on the draw this morning, Father, but I am here and ready to roll. Enable me to be productive today in ways that would show my love for You and my love for others. Help me to be the person You want me to be. Amen.

Matthew 7:1-2 (<<click the green)

Judging. Just the word by itself makes us bristle a little. The culture in which we live doesn’t help any for the mantra we embody is “Don’t judge me.” After all, “If it feels good do it!” We have this mentality that we can do what we want, when we want and others have no place to tell us otherwise. Mind your own business and keep your nose out of mine…don’t judge me! The Bible even says it, “Do not judge…”

But is that what it is really saying? It does say “Do not judge…” and, Lord, they are words from Your own mouth. But how we choose to interpret it, is that what You meant? No, it’s not.

The footnote in the Amplified Bible makes it very clear.

This is not a prohibition of judgment, nor is it a command to stop using godly wisdom, common sense, and moral courage together with God’s written word to discern right from wrong, to distinguish between morality and immorality, and to judge doctrinal truth. There are many judgments that are not only legitimate, but are commanded (cf John 7:24; 1 Cor 5:5, 12; Gal 1:8, 9; 1 John 4:1-3; 2 John 10); however, you cannot judge another if you are committing the same type of sin.

That is where the point is driven home. We are in no place to judge if we are committing the same types of sin.

Lord, You state very clearly,

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. NIV

Today and every day, Lord, may I keep You and Your precepts at the forefront of my mind. May I take care of my issues and leave other’s issues for You and them to take care of. But may I also, again with You and Your precepts at the forefront of my mind, with common sense and moral courage…discern right from wrong and clearly distinguish between morality and immorality. May I be Your true representative to the world. Amen.

Feb 1st, 2018, Thurs, 8:26 am