Bible Verse of The Day – 11-27-23

Matthew 7:1 (NJKV) 1 “Judge not, that you be not judged.

This single verse has been the topic of many conversations, discussions, and debates down through the centuries since Jesus spoke these words.

What did He mean by it?

Is there a deeper meaning than the few simple words are implying?

Judging others is something that we all do to some extent. It is a natural human tendency to see someone doing something and pass judgment on them.

But what about the words of Jesus? Does what He said mean that we cannot or should not ever judge anyone?

Before we go any further, we need to look at the word, “judge”.

In the context that Jesus spoke these words, judge literally means condemn.

Some might think of judging as the harmless passing of opinions about someone for their appearance or their behavior.

But Jesus was telling us not to condemn. There is nothing harmless about condemning others.

It is, in fact, very harmful.

When we see others behaving in ways that are not rooted in righteousness, condemning that person will never help them.

There are times to correct someone, and there are times to pray for them. We need to lean on the Holy Spirit to show us how to handle each situation as we encounter them.

We need to understand that each action we take and every word that we speak should be done with redemption as the end goal.

Speaking harshly and outwardly condemning a person will do one thing; push them away from us.

This eliminates any opportunity we might have had to help them in a redeeming way.

So, let us remember that although a person’s behavior may not be what it should be, our goal as a follower of Christ should always be to create an environment where redemption should be our goal, even if we may never see that person again.

Looking down upon a person never brings good.

Redemption, and change in a person’s life, can come only when we treat others as the Holy Spirit leads us to do, and we work to bring redemption or restoration to them, not condemn them.

Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie

Seven Seas Ministries
49 N Lamplighters Walk
Hampstead, NC 28443

401-439-3780

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