There are many Christians who believe that they have been given the ministry of judging others. Under the guise of being given a warning to share with someone, they condemn a brother or sister by judging them as being deceived. The Lord has strong words to say about judging others. Jesus said, “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. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. ” (Matthew 7:1–5, NIV)
There is a time and a place for discernment and bring correction. It must however be done in love. When you love your brother or sister enough to lay your life down for them, you are in a place where you can bring a discerning word spoken in love. If you judge without love, you too will be judged without love. If you stand looking at your brother and believe that you are better, you condemn your brother in your heart. You too will be condemned.
If there is unrest in your heart, perhaps you need to spend more time praying until you find peace.
Take the time, instead of discouraging your brother or sister, to examine your life. As you become more and more like Jesus, the people around you will naturally want that light and that life as well.
I am so glad that every word of correction that comes from the Lord into my life is always spoken by Him with a Spirit of Love, mercy and compassion. Every word spoken by Love carries life and the power to change.
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