Scripture: Matthew 7 v 1 - 5; Romans 2 v 1 - 11; Romans
12 v 19 - 21.
Most of us grow up having our own opinion on many
matters. Today this is enhanced by Radio Talk Shows, Facebook, Twitter etc
which gives everyone who wants to add their voice to any topic, the opportunity
to do so.
News and sports programs on TV invite people to email
their positive or negative comments about breaking news so that the man in the
street can share his opinions on Octomom or Roger Federer's defeat at the US
Open or the Crisis in Syria.
God says in Matthew 7 v 1 that we should judge not lest
we be judged. He continues - By the same measure that you judge your fellow
man, will you be judged by Him. So when you enjoy sarcasm and criticism of
others you will receive the very same treatment in a do or die moment on the
Day of Judgment.
Today (Sept 4, 2013) we heard that a man who held 3 young
women in captivity as sex slaves for 10 years in Ohio had committed suicide in
his prison cell. I believe he received
the correct judgment from God in that he had no remorse for the evil deeds he
did. What you do unto others will be done to you.
In Romans 2 v 1 God's word calls those who judge another
"inexcusable"! He says that when you judge another it is because you
are guilty of that very same thing. It is human nature to project our failings
onto another. This is rooted in PRIDE which is the inability to see faults in
ourselves.
We always have excuses or we justify ourselves when
someone points out our errors to us. A humble person will acknowledge the fault
and correct the behaviour. A judgmental person will keep on trying to get away
with it while blaming others.
A consequence of judging others is taking vengeance on
them too. In Romans 12 v 19 - 21 we are told to not angrily wreak vengeance on
others but to allow God, the Rightful Judge, to decide a fitting punishment for
evildoers.
In 1967 the Yom Kippur war started on the Day of
Atonement while Israel fasted and prayed for forgiveness of sin. Syria picked
this vulnerable moment to send 2000 tanks against the Golan Heights on the
Israeli border. Israel had 20 tanks to defend herself with. The few soldiers
watched in horror as the Syrian tanks advanced.
Their horror turned to amazement as they saw a huge hand
come out of Heaven with one finger pointing to the ground in front of the
advancing tanks. When the tanks came to the point where the finger was they
stopped and never moved an inch further. A Christian news reporter was given
this story and asked the Syrians for comment. They said the order came to halt
the tanks so they halted. No one knew why.
God's finger made a judgment and the Syrians are now
receiving the consequences of their ill-timed attack. The full judgment of God
is upon Syria right now for their evil intentions against His people while they
sought His face in prayer and repentance. God has a long memory and perhaps the
Egyptians under Pharoah would remember the consequences of trying to stop the
Hebrews from worshipping their God before the Exodus. Ten horrific plagues hit
that land before the Lord's anger was satisfied.
So just admit that God knows best and in His patience
gives a long time for nations to repent, but when they refuse then the judgment
of God is true and heavy. It applies to us as individuals too so heed the Word
of God and learn to curb your criticisms by renewing your mind to the perfect
will of God.
Prayer: Heavenly Father we are all guilty of making rash,
or even considered, judgments that are contrary to Your will and which will
work against us unless we repent. Forgive us Lord for "playing God"
and cleanse us of all unrighteousness. In Jesus' name. Amen.