February 21, 2021 - A Hope that Doesn't Judge Others - James 4:11-12 & 5:12 (Pastor Stephen Puett)
- Speaking the truth and using it properly
Ephesians 4:15 - “Speak the truth in love”
Matthew 5:33-37 - “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not take an oath by your heard, for you cannot make on hair white or black. Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.”
Matthew 7:1 - “Judge not, that you be not judged.”
Slander means to belittle - to talk down to someone - to treat someone as small
Judge means to condemn
Slander and judging is telling the truth to punish rather than redeem.
2. How to avoid moral superiority and a judgmental spirit…
A. Recognize it in yourself
- When you criticize someone, you crush their spirit
- If you always find fault in others
- You enjoy telling people about their faults and hear about others faults
- When you go beyond the facts and judge motive
Matthew 5:21-22 - “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgement.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.
B. See God as judge, not yourself
- Only God has enough wisdom to judge others
- Only God has enough righteousness to judge others
- Only God is able to save
Jesus is the judge who saved through judgment.