Matthew 7:13-20 "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. BEWARE of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles ? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."
If judging is wrong, as so many claim, how can the believer heed the LORD's warning to "BEWARE of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing" (v.15) ? Peter prophesied concerning the church in the last days before the LORD's return. "There shall be false teachers among you" (2nd.Peter 2:1-2 pictured above) - this is speaking of today ! Was the Apostle Paul "judgmental" when he "ceased not to warn" the Ephesian church of the "grievous wolves" who would "draw away disciples" after themselves in Acts 20:28-31 ? Certainly not ! A faithful warning requires Scriptural discernment. How can the Pastor of a flock or any layperson identify false teachers and unsound doctrine without making an assessment ? Judging is required if the following verses are to be obeyed:
John 7:24, "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment."
Romans 16:17, "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them."
1st.Corinthians 2:15, "But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man."
Ephesians 5:8-11, "For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the LORD: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the SPIRIT is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) proving what is acceptable unto the LORD and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them."
1st.Thessalonians 5:21-22, "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil."
2nd.Thessalonians 3:6, 14-15, "Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. . . .And if any man obey not our WORD by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother."
2nd.John 10-11, "If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither, bid him GOD speed; for he that biddeth him GOD speed is partaker of his evil deeds."
Additionally, the believing remnant of Israel will find it imperative to use wise judgment during the future seven-year Tribulation period (Matthew 24:21-26).
The Bible is the standard by which all things must be judged; true discernment is not according to our personal (and sometimes peculiar) prejudices, opinions, or professed convictions. Scripture alone must determine what we are to hold firm and what we must firmly oppose. Remember, the exercise of spiritual judgment is not only necessary to ward of error but also to deliver the errant (2nd.Thessalonians 3:14-15; 2nd.Timothy 2:24-26). We must avoid a self-righteous, censorious spirit when trying to be of help to anyone, for the Bible exhorts us to "[speak] the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:14-15; 1st.Corinthians 16:13-14 pictured above). The purpose of judgment is to help a fellow Christian, not destroy him. DWC
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used With Permission. www.featoday.org
https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation
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