There are different words used in
the Greek and translated in English to ‘judge’. In some scriptures we are
actually encouraged to ‘judge’, in the context of testing, proving, trying,
evaluating, discerning or reckoning. We are clearly able to align a matter with
scripture, and determine what can be seen as a ‘work of the flesh’, as being
sin, incorrect and against God. Such ‘judging’ is within our scope and even
necessary in order to maintain a right walk with God, and discern truth from
error. There are however hidden things, which are not only hard to judge, but
upon which we should avoid passing any personal appraisal or criticism. In matters
of motivation, inner thought and what may be in the ‘heart’, it is not really
possible for a human to pass unerring judgment on another. Such things are
hidden to us, and without a clear vision and knowledge of the real facts of the
heart, judgment there is outside our reach. Ultimate judgement therefore
belongs to God alone. It is to Him that we are all finally accountable. As fallible humans, limited and unable to see
and know everything, it becomes important that we are slow to judge any matter.
Even when we can rightly evaluate, making certain that all the facts are known
and factored in, is a quality of wisdom and careful behaviour, desirable in all
human beings and particularly in believers. Our text is clear that judging
matters pertaining to anyone’s eternal destiny, belongs to the Lord, and only
He can bring to light the things of the heart of man, good and bad, and one day
He will! It will then be open and obvious, what our motives have been. We must
ensure to purify our hearts and minds before God on a daily basis, and be ready
for that day of God’s revealing judgment.
http://www.pentecostalfamilychurch.com.au/devotion
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