Pastor’s Blog 3.22.18

This is the third installment of the subject concerning judgment and the believer. Last week, we talked about the necessity of making judgment calls concerning fellow believers who have sinned against us. Let’s now look at some more scripture about judging between good and evil.

1 Corinthians 2:12-16

12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.

13 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one.

16 For “who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ. NKJV

Again, we find a common thread that false judgment is when we presume to know the motive of heart behind someone’s actions. True judgment is having a real discernment, not just a suspicion or carnal perception, about someone’s actions or behavior.

Let’s look at a true discernment example of action and motive in the scripture.

Acts 8:9-25. The Sorcerer’s Profession of Faith

9 But there was a certain man called Simon , who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great,

10 to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the great power of God.”

11 And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time.

12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.

13 Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.

14 The Sorcerer’s Sin Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them,

15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.

16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

18 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money,

19 saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

20 But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money!

21 You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God.

22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.

23 For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.”

24 Then Simon answered and said,”Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me.”

25 So when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans. NKJV

It seems to me that the church is so desperate to try to win people to Christ, that there isn’t any discernment as to whether the people they lead to Christ are truly converted, or are looking for “success n life”. It was spiritual discernment or judgment in Peter that questioned this man’s motives for desiring the power of God. The Emerging Church has not only convinced people that there is no absolute truth, but also that there is no Spirit of Truth.

Jesus, help us walk in the truth of your word and Spirit today!

Be blessed!