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Gifts, Fools, and Judging - Part II
"Who are you to judge?" Who are you to say that God can't approve of loving homosexual relationships? Who are you to say Jehovah Witnesses are wrong? Who are you to say that the Super Bowl pool at work is wrong? Who are you to say that working on Sunday is wrong? Who are you to say that man looks like a crook?
Bring the subject of judging to a Christian man and watch the timid roll of the eyes, swoon of neck and confusion set in that questions our very faith. A wife's look, a kid's shrug and the devil's whisper of "hypocrite" is enough for every father to question which end is up and which is down in making the right calls for his family and future.
What is a man to do when society screams tolerance and Christian men are most often described as "Nice Guys". We sit around holiday time withdrawing from discussions as smiling family members respond with "come on now lets not judge others". On the surface it kind of sounds like the Bible almost agrees with this wishy-washy attitude.
Matthew 7 advises us, "Do not judge or you too will be judged. For the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the same measure you use, it will be measured to you." (v.1-2). After reading the whole chapter of Matthew 7, we can be sure that Jesus was not teaching that we should not make judgments. To say as some do, that we should take Jesus at face value and foster a mood of unity and appeasement; to say that we should have a tolerant attitude that never expresses opinions about what others say and do is wrong to the core.
The idea that unity is more important than truth and love, more important than the right doctrine is wrong to the core. Just consider the immediate context of Jesus' words. "Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs" (v.6). How could we possibly obey these instructions unless we learn to recognize dogs and pigs as well as false prophets (v15)? Jesus was making a powerful statement about the need for discernment, for learning to distinguish between clean and unclean, evaluating what is wise and what is foolish or even who is a fool. Who the Bible calls a fool you too are to deem a fool. "Out of the mouth, the heart speaks", so when a fool speaks he reveals his thinking as when he acts he reveals his ways.
Let's walk through a real life situation that requires a judgment call on your part. Your wife has a best friend since high school. Her friend is at best a cultural Christian who attends church on Sunday and says the right Christian stuff. Her husband considers himself a Christian, but does not have a clue or desire for the things of God. You go to dinner with them twice a month and they are over the house 3 times a month. When you are out together this self-confident husband gets real loud and constantly blames God and complains about life after a few drinks. His running commentaries are never edifying or comfortable to hear, especially with your spouse there. When he is over your house he is giving worldly advice to your kids and never listening as he is always looking to cheat the system because he thinks he knows all. He sends chills up your spine when you speak with him as he laughs and does not listen to your concern over his self control of his mouth and behavior.
You speak with your spouse about not wanting to associate with them anymore because you believe the husband is a fool. Your wife says you should not judge the brother. After all, Jesus hung out and had dinner with terrible people because they needed Him. She then reminds you how bad you were and how this "fool" really needs you.
How's a godly guy going to make this call? Step One: Go to God and ask Him what He wants here. Step Two: Go see how the Bible defines a fool and what you should do with one. You will find scripture very clear.
A Fool is someone who:
- Acts as if there is no God (Ps 14 &53)
- Blames God for his problems. (Job 2:9-10)
- Get angry quickly and hold a grudge. Ecc 7:9
- Loves to give advice, but hates to take it. Proverbs 18:2, 1:7, 15:5
- Over confident-all human potential. Romans 12:3, Pro 14:16
- Talks too much, never listens Ecc 10:14
- Lazy Ecc 4:5
- Contentious. Starts trouble- "oooh, did you hear what he said" Pro 18:6
- Depends upon their wealth Luke 12:20
- Brags Psalm 5:5
Even our friendly Webster's Dictionary of 1828 (before the fools got to it) said, "A fool is a weak Christian; a godly person who has much remaining sin and unbelief. (Ouch).
Now that we have defined the husband from our story as a fool, what action would our Father in heaven want us to take?
The Bible says in Proverbs 13:20, "Wise friends make you wise, but you hurt yourself by going around with fools." With love we now speak to our wife about what the Bible says about her friend's husband and also share with her that when Jesus ate with sinners he did so as a Doctor serving the sick, not as a friend to have their behavior influence Him. (Matthew 9:12) His association was with His disciples and people who heard the Gospel and were able to respond. Your job now is to sever the relationship.
There is a great story about judging and discerning truth. It is about a man called "Uncle Eric" who was a missionary to China in the 1940's. When war broke out he sent his pregnant wife and his daughters to safety. Imprisoned by the Japanese, he knew he would never see his family ever again on this earth.
In the concentration camp, Not having his family, Uncle Eric decided to minister to the children. His athletic background would provide a credible back-drop to teach them about sports. The children played basketball, hockey and ran races. Eric was their referee. Not surprisingly, he refused to referee on Sundays due to the Sabbath rest. But in his absence, the children fought and slowly stopped playing. Uncle Eric struggled over this. He believed he should not be the reason the children stop playing, but wanted to honor God. He finally decided to referee on Sundays and the children's joy was restored.
In the camp a 13 year old girl named Margaret Holder was tutored by him and was so influenced by Eric's grace that she went on to serve Christ for years to come. Eric Liddell was a man of Truth and Grace. He displayed grace before needy children but truth before the world only a few years earlier as the "Flying Scot", hero of the movie Chariots of Fire. Eric Liddell shocked the world by refusing to run a race in the 1924 Paris Olympics. A race he was favored to win. He withdrew because the qualifying heat was on a Sunday. He judged with Grace and Truth as God was glorified in both instances.
Certainly we are called to discern truth from lies, the good from the bad and ugly. Our image of Christ must be in biblical balance. We have to consider that Jesus "Came from the father full of grace and truth" John 1:14, not grace and people skills. Truth may create conflict but it still remains truth. Man of God, know that we are called to discern the heart of God in all judgments. Whether you apply it to your children or stand before the world, do so in the grace of your gifts, while discerning the foolish with God's truth to judge wisely.
God4me Men's Network is a National alliance of Churches and Men's groups systematically training and assisting men in their pursuit of significance and purpose. "Discipleship Boot camps" are forums to provide encouragement, instruction and fellowship for the transformed man. Anointed speakers help men replace the lies of the world with Biblical truth. Upbeat and practical topics such as "Brainwashed", "A Man's Wild Heart", "The Purpose-Driven Man", and "As a Man Thinketh" are presented in a user friendly environment where men are free to "hear and respond". Movie clips and skits are used expressing the practicality of the topics. Food is served for time in fellowship, and short interactive workshops create a dynamic effective arena for change in men. Please visit Invasion for up to date information on events.
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