This study was first taught on February 15, 2011

Topic: Judge Not (3): Miscellaneous Case Studies

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Background
Last week, we did a case study of Job’s friends and their judgmental stance toward Job. We saw how Job had gone through a time of untold hardship and disaster only because God wanted to prove to Satan that Job was not like other people who were worshipping Him for selfish reasons. Job had lost everything, including children, businesses, houses, servants, etc. Meanwhile, his friends who had come to console and commiserate with him soon turned into judges, unaware of what had taken place in heaven.

This case study displayed in very vivid terms, how very wrong we can be when we sit as judge over others, without knowing what the genesis of the matter is. We observed that although Job’s friends were quoting Scripture correctly, their application of the scriptures to Job’s situation was incorrect. We thus inferred that when you don’t have all the information on a matter, “judge not”; and more essentially, when God has not given you information, give no opinions!

We saw that contrary to Job’s friends’ postulations, Job’s suffering was for the glory of God. The lesson is that people’s suffering may sometimes be for the glory of God, just like Jesus remarked about the man born blind (John 9:1-3). How often we judge those whom God is showing off for His glory, as sinners, when they in fact are not; just because they are going through hardships and unimaginable suffering?

We saw also, how God was displeased with Job’s friends and asked them to repent, and seek Job’s intercession on their behalf.

Finally, we learnt some lessons about coping with hardship, particularly, when we are in the clear with God:
1. Don’t seek sympathy from men; because they may judge you instead.
2. If after one or two defensive actions, the criticism does not abate; leave your vindication to God (Psalm 43:1).
3. Continuing to defend yourself in the face of criticisms or condemnation, may result in you becoming critical, abusive, and self-justifying.

Scripture Text(s)
Matthew 7:1-2; Acts 10:1-48; 11:1-18
Tonight, we shall again look at some other examples of how we judge others wrongly. We pray that the Holy Spirit will help us to eliminate that critical spirit which is responsible for judging others, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
With the benefit of hindsight, we know that Peter was sent for by God through Cornelius. We also know that they indeed received the Holy Spirit, and so Peter had no choice in the matter than to administer Christian baptism. However, others who were not privy to the happenings that led up to the Holy Spirit coming upon the Gentiles condemned Peter’s actions. We also see Peter’s defence of His action: there was no abuse, no feeling of bitterness, and so on.
2 Samuel 9:1-13; 16:1-4; 19:24-30; Proverbs 18:13, 17; Mark 9:38-41; 2 Thessalonians 2:9; Exodus 7:8-13, 14-22; 8:5-7, 16-19; Acts 18:24-28; 19:1-10.

Conclusion
Tonight, we have seen the dangers of prejudices and profiling. Peter’s position was such that he would never step into the house of a Gentile; even though that was what God wanted. One wonders how many sinners we have allowed to go without salvation just because we are prejudiced against certain people?

We have also seen the danger of hearing one side without hearing the other, and then passing judgment. No one is immune from this kind of thing; hence, we should not be hasty to pass judgment. We should develop a position whereby whenever we are told something, about another person, we should allow the accused to state his or her case. This kind of thing eliminates gossip, false witnesses, favour seekers, etc.

Finally, we have seen how we can be conceited into thinking that we are the only ones who are preaching the gospel, or who have been given the rights to preach the gospel, and that others don’t know what they are doing. The Lord’s position is that as long as others are on His side, then they are with us. However, we must exercise caution where we observe the performance of lying wonders. Where it is a matter of not being able to rightly divide the word of truth, then we are to take them under wing (hopefully they will be humble enough to allow that) and teach them more correctly.

May God help us.

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