Word Count: 1046

Contact Steve Countryman

Judge Not

by Steve Countryman  
8/20/2014 / Christian Living

Matthew 7:1-6 1"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 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? 4 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? 5 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. 6 Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces."

Having read this passage before, I had never tied it together with verse 6 until the last time I read it. This whole passage has to do with being a blessing to others. We are to judge those inside the church and let God judge those outside the church. But what we all do at some point in time is to judge those who we plan on blessing. We evaluate their needs and decide if they are worthy of our help or advice. Does their need require my involvement? How much should I get involved? Will they appreciate my help? Can't they see how badly they are messing up? Can I afford the time necessary to help them? Will this cost me anything to help them? If I help them, what's in it for me?

We spend a lot of time judging or evaluating others who are in need. Even total strangers often get the once over from us. But we are not to judge but show and shine God's love to all people. What's worst is when we come across someone who is struggling with the same problems that we have. Yet being the "Super Christians" we quickly point out the faults and flaws in their lives. Then we jump smack dab in the middle of their lives to "help" fix their problem and continue to ignore our own.

There is a fine line between helping/blessing someone and being an enabler to them. Well meaning Christians, through what they consider loving others, will end up hurting the very ones they were trying to help. Example, a guy sits by the entrance to a Wal-Mart parking lot holding a sign. His signs says "Going thru hard times. Need money for food." You, being a caring Christian, stop and give him some money to help him out. He takes your money and goes and buys some wine or drugs. How did your "giving" help this man's life? He fed his addiction and didn't spend the money on any food. Are you being a blessing to others by helping them or cursing them by enabling their sinful addictions?

Quite often it is easier to give someone money than it is to give them your time. To really help a persons like him would've been to take him and buy him a meal or take him into Wal-Mart and buy him some food. "But I don't have the time to spend shopping for some homeless guy." You could buy him a restaurant gift card. You could offer to drop him off at his home. You could invite him to your church. You could let him know that you will be by to pick him up and take him to church.

Or what about your friend who always seems to want to go bar hopping just to find that "special person". You don't say anything to them about it because you don't want to upset them or lose them as your friend. But you know that their lifestyle will only end in disaster. If you really care for them don't you think it is important to be truthful with them? Is your silence being a blessing to them or a curse? Is a bar or a night club the kind of place to meet someone that you want to spend the rest of your life with?

Being a "good Christian friend" doesn't mean that you have to be someone's door mat either. If you set your self up for abuse then you will get abused! That is what happens to most "enablers". If you are working with someone that you are trying to help sometimes you have to show them "tough love". It is the difference between a hand up verses a hand out. The old saying "Give a man a fish and he'll eat for a day. Teach that man how to fish and he'll eat for a life time." That is tough love. You can bless those who you are trying to help by teaching them life skills instead of giving them money every time they need something.

I run into some of these people every now and then Some call themselves Christian but I think that is so they can try to get help from different churches they visit. Their attitudes seem to be the same, "The church is supposed to help people like me". Yes churches should help the needy but I think that the needy should also try to help the churches! 2 Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat." No one's self worth ever improved by always handing them a loaf of bread but give them a hammer and let them earn their food and watch their self worth and self confidence grow.

Mathew 7:6 Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces." Those who only want your "hand outs" and won't change are not worthy of your time but are worthy of your prayers! Pray for God's wisdom, discernment and guidance in being a blessing to others and He'll not let you down. For you are His hands, feet and witness here on earth!

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS

If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be! Click here and TRUST JESUS NOW

Read more articles by Steve Countryman

Like reading Christian Articles? Check out some more options. Read articles in Main Site Articles, Most Read Articles or our highly acclaimed Challenge Articles. Read Great New Release Christian Books for FREE in our Free Reads for Reviews Program. Or enter a keyword for a topic in the search box to search our articles.

Enter comments below. Due to spam, all hyperlinks posted in the comments are now immediately disabled by our system.

Please type the following word below:

Not readable? Change text.

The opinions expressed by authors do not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.

Hire a Christian Writer, Christian Writer Wanted, Christian Writer Needed, Christian Content Needed, Find a Christian Editor, Hire a Christian Editor, Christian Editor, Find a Christian Writer