Bible Discussion Thread

 
  • Phil Marbut - 1 year ago
    We are told in scripture to be very careful whom we spend over time! All people are not found to be good "company" as defined in scripture! So we are required by and as instructed in scripture to evaluate, consider and make judgments of whom we should have as close friends, BUT ARE NOT TO ACCESS "Judgment" of anyone's eternal future in Heaven or Hell! That is God's business! If anyone says to you, "You can not fudge me!" You can accurately say, I can make judgments about your life styles and your life actives as to whether I want to make your family values "a part of" my family values and actives! We have a responsibility to be a Christian family as defined in scripture and to also give witness of same! We are not instructed to become something else so we can remain friends to any other than Jesus!
  • S Spencer - In Reply - 1 year ago
    Amen Phil.

    Well Stated! I think you covered it all, there's not much to add to what you have said. Perhaps I can dig up a few scriptures that goes well with what you have stated.

    I agree with that we can't judge the heart of man to be able to judge/condemn him. Romans 14:4.

    Also Matthew 7:1-5 possibly is speaking of condemning as well.

    Some of these would probably help being read in the Greek.

    FRUIT INSPECTORS.

    There's several scriptures that say we should correct one in their error, here's one and the mindset we should have while doing it.

    Galatians 6:1-5. Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, YE WHICH ARE SPIRITUAL, RESTORE SUCH AN ONE IN THE SPIRIT OF MEEKNESS; CONSIDERING THYSELF, LEST THOU ALSO BE TEMPTED.

    Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

    For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

    But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

    For every man shall bear his own burden.

    In doing this I believe we should use the word of God. ( Hebrews 4:12-13)

    This can be troublesome! How well this person takes this rebuke depends on their spiritual condition as well.

    Paul says this kind of judgment is to be kept in house.

    1 Corinthians 6:1-6.

    Today some judge from a carnal mind. "One look at him and we think we got him figured out."

    Also culture gets in the way. We compromise TRUTH for politeness. This also can be difficult.

    We compliment someone's dead works "Efforts to glorify self" and we ignore their fruitlessnes or incorrect doctrine.

    NOTE: If there's incorrect doctrine they believe in, that would certainly affect their fruitfulness.

    We are to build one another up with the truth not flattery.

    We should handle God's word cautiously and be open for improvement.

    Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? 1 Corinthians 5:6.

    God bless you.
  • GiGi - In Reply - 1 year ago
    Phil,

    I believe that we indeed can tell someone whether they are headed for heaven or hell as long as they are alive and can be shown the way of Christ. But once a person dies, that is when it is God's business, not ours to judge someone eternal determination. We can be assured that those we have walked together with in Christ are indeed with Him after they die. But as to the heart condition of one at their death who we knew was not a Christian, God only knows that. So, we commend those who die into His hands and judgment.

    I agree that we are to be discerning and discriminating about who we allow to influence us and our family. Also, who we engage with in close friendship and in business relations. We can make judgment as to the boundaries we will set in relationships with believers and unbelievers. We can certainly warn anyone who is sinning, especially if they are putting themselves or others in danger. Some may not like us to call them out on sin, but I do think we are to do so in love. Conversely, we should be gracious to anyone who warns us about our sin or wrongs we have done to them. We should use these admonitions as an opportunity to go before God and ask Him to help us see our sin and confess. We also set the example to others as to how we handle criticism and correction. We should not be like an unruly, rebellious child, but in all things be humble and able to listen to what others are perceiving.

    I know that Scriptures says not to judge and also to judge. Perhaps Jesus was speaking about a judgmental attitude that mostly picks out the wrongs in others pridefully. This is certainly not godliness. We do need to check what we say and avoid being snarky, critical, sarcastically putting down others, snubbing others we deem too sinful for our attention, being quick to accuse another of sin. We also should check our hearts concerning our attitudes to people being sure to not hold ourselves above others, being respecters of persons, etc. like the Pharisees
  • Adam - In Reply - 1 year ago
    I wonder if there's a difference between discerning, judging, and condemning.

    Matthew 7:1-5 - says not to judge, then elaborates that if you are a hypocrite. But what if you're following Jesus, not a hypocrite and you're genuinely trying to help a loved one avoid ruining their life to sin? Are we to still keep our mouths shut and stay out of their business altogether, and how does that benefit your loved one?

    I can say from personal experience that those who risked offending me to speak truth to help me I have been most appreciative of in the long run. Those who kept their mouth shut while I was hurting or embarrassing myself showed the relationship was weak.

    John 7:24 - says to judge, then elaborates on righteous judgment.

    1 Corinthians 15:33 - says bad company corrupts and we should avoid. But if we don't evaluate their moral condition then how would we even know if they're good company or bad company?

    I remember Joel Osteen caved on national TV when asked about hell and judgment- and suggested that everyone is good or something. What about those living in sin who will never escape unless they hear the reality that, yes, they will burn in hell if they continue their ways. Is truth and tough love always bad?

    Romans 14:10-13, Hebrews 10:30 suggests not judging their salvation in the way I'm reading it. But some suggest someone trying to seek vengeance too, which is of course bad.

    The reality is everyone judges. You judge if a babysitter will harm your child or not, you wouldn't hire an atheist for a job as Christian pastor, you would illegally ask them about their beliefs. Yes, this is illegal in the US, even though its understood and common sense that everyone does this.

    Street evangelists commonly ask if the person believes they're going to heaven or not. Are they not to do that?

    If anyone has more clarification on this topic for when is appropriate for each type of judgment / evaluation of others then that might be useful. God bless.



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