2026-02-27
Good morning, Dear Ones,
This week the Holy Spirit has commanded me to write about judgment, which is closely linked to either humility/pride. This is a tough topic because our emotions often interfere with the will of God and our language used can be insensitive/unkind. This is a time to pray first that we can exercise self-control, seek God’s wisdom in whether judging a particular situation is God’s right or ours, and in choosing language that doesn’t defeat those involved. The Lord Jesus’ words in MT 7: 1-2 needs clarification. “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged and with the same measure you use, it will be measured to you.” He went on to use an example of a person who judges a speck in another’s eye, while at the same time ignoring the plank in one’s own eye [MT 7: 3-5]. The plank in the judge’s eye must be removed before he can clearly see the speck in his brother’s eye. We must ask if any judger we encounter has done this before seeing if his judgments are fair, just, and right with God.
James, Christ’s half-brother and the author of the little book toward the end of the NT, comments in JAS 2: 13, “For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who is not merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” A lot of horrible acts from the OT leave us with this lesson from history. The job that God has to do in gradually trying to civilize mankind shows this truth. The cruelty depicted in the stories of Daniel, Esther, and Maccabees I are examples. Esther’s people (the Jews) were almost destroyed by the evil Haman’s edict. Daniel and his friends were thrown into the fiery furnace. Efforts were made to wipe out the Jewish culture and insult them with the Abomination of Desolation in their temple by Antiochus IV Ephiphanes. [Maccabees I is the account of Jewish history that took place during the intertestamental period of 721 BC until Christ comes on the scene]. All of these examples were carried out without mercy and based on prejudicial judgments of evil leaders.
RO 12: 10-12 lays this issue on the line. “Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written, ‘As I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God.’ So, then each of us will give an account of himself to God.” James brings up the tongue, saying in JAS 3: 6b, “It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.” This is the genesis of foul language about others that leads to hard feelings and often misunderstandings between people. It doesn’t come naturally to human beings to think first, then speak!
LK 7: 36-50 tells the story of Jesus having dinner at a Pharisee’s home. A lady known to be a sinner by the Pharisees was present sitting at Jesus’ feet. She listened to the Lord’s parable about the moneylender kissing the Lord’s feet, her tears dripping on them, and wiping them with her long, flowing hair. The Pharisees criticized her actions, and Jesus said, “You didn’t welcome Me with a kiss, but she hasn’t stopped kissing my feet since I came. You gave Me no olive oil, but she anointed me with expensive nard (perfume). The great love she has shown has proven is forgiven.” The others asked, “Who is this that He forgives sins?” Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” All of these things: patience, faithful obedience to God, humility, and self-control are all behaviors that bless the speaker and those who receive his words.
PRAYER: O Lord, we come before Your mighty throne to ask for wisdom and Your wise intervention to tame our tongues, the sinful thoughts of our minds and judgments we make. PR 2: 6, “For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” To find Your wisdom, we should pray before speaking and acting. You alone can tame our tongues and correct our sinful thoughts. When we stand back from unfair and unrighteous judgments, we are in line with Your teaching. 1 COR 9: 27, “But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” We are grateful, Dearest Lord, that You hear all our prayers and answer them in Your own time and way—the perfect time and way. We offer You our paise and thanksgiving forever…In the holy/mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
NEXT WEEK: I am commanded by the Holy Spirit to discuss kindness and hypocrisy next week. The truth encased in ECCL 12: 14 should give us pause. “For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, where good or bad.” This points out God’s fairness and equal standard for judgment for every person. Our God loves us and wants as many of us as possible to be raised to eternal life. Praise and thanksgiving be to Him!
Grace be with You Always,
Lynn, JS 24: 15
© Lynn Johnson 2026. All Rights Reserved.
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