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Christians are frequently described as hypocrites and judgmental, even by fellow Christians. "Judge not or ye be judged" and related verses are often used as confirmation. Recently, I emailed someone about a confusing portion of scripture and asked him what it meant. He said we can never just read verses out of context and get the whole picture. With difficult passages - you always start with who is the audience, what was the setting. This morning, I read 1 Corinthians 2:15: "The spiritual man makes judgments about all things; but he himself is not subject to judgment." My commentary explains the 'spiritual man' as the mature Christian who is led and taught by the spirit, and explains judging as- of which he judges by the word of God and his own experience: not that every spiritual man has a like degree of spiritual knowledge and judgment, but everyone discerns and judges according to the measure of the gift of Christ. In other words, I think it's like the 'gut feeling' mothers get when their child is in danger. Based on previous experiences and what I've learned through prayer and scripture, I get that 'gut feeling' more and more. Problem is, I tend to shrug it off as sensitivity, overreacting, or even judging! I am learning that feeling is what keeps me out of trouble. Now, when I ignore it and face trials from my foolish decisions, I am much more ready to face/accept the consequences. All this to say the next time someone accuses me of judging, I won't see it as a bad thing as long as I am following that gut feeling. It takes much discernment and is definitely to be used with caution. As Max Lucado writes, "Be careful when you judge. That doesn't mean we shouldn't discern; rather we shouldn't pass the verdict. "

"Today's Little Lift" from Jim Bullington

Comfort in Isaiah II (12-14-10)

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