Monday 29 April 2013

Weekly Challenge

Meet with another believer this week and invite them to tell you where they see sin in your life. Rather than get defensive pray together that the Holy Spirit would help you to be more like Jesus in this area.

 

Read: Matthew 7:1-5, 2 Samuel 12:1-9

"Do not judge" is possibly the most misquoted Bible passage of the 21st century. It almost seems to be the catchcry of the 21st century. This phrase is used out of context to defend all sorts of moral shortcomings ranging from homosexuality to unethical business practices. This phrase is even used in religious debates: how can you judge my religion to be any more or less true than yours? But is this really what Jesus had in mind? Is Jesus really prohibiting all forms of right judgment and advocating an "anything goes" attitude towards each other? Let's find out...

 

The key to understanding Jesus' point in this passage lies in His examples in vs 3-5. Jesus does not say, "Don't ever judge". Instead, He commands His followers to practice careful self-examination before bringing judgment to another. It is clear from this example that Jesus is not prohibiting any and all judgment, instead Jesus is prohibiting self-righteous, hypocritical judgment which is quick to see the shortcomings of others before looking at oneself.

 

In today's reading from 2 Samuel, David gives us a clear example of what it looks like to practice this type of judgment. The prophet Nathan confronts David about his adultery with Bathsheba and his murder of Uriah, Bathsheba's husband, using a simple parable. Notice David's reaction in vs 5 and 6. David, not realising the story is actually about him, is quick to condemn a man to death just for stealing a sheep! How much more does David deserve God's judgment for stealing a man's wife and putting her husband to death to cover up his crime. David was quick to recognize and condemn the sins of others but was blind to his own sin.

 

How easily do we fall into the same sin. Even when talking about judging others it is far easier for us to identify others who judge self-righteously than to identify our own judgment. Spend a moment to think about your own life. What are some areas where you are quick to judge others but slow to see your own sin? Do you have one standard for yourself and another standard for others? Spend a moment to pray this morning that God would show you sin in your own life before you judge others.

Prayer:

Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.

Adoration:

 

Confession:

 

Thanks:

 

Supplication:

¥ Pray that God would reveal to you sin in your life through His Holy Spirit. Pray that He would help you to overcome that sin in your life and to live a holy life before Him. Pray that God would work in the hearts of the whole congregation to convict of sin and to change lives.

¥ Pray for all the cell groups that are gathering throughout this week. Pray that that God would change lives through His word and that we would challenge and encourage each other to live out our faith.

 

My Additional Prayer Points.

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2/.

Discussion Questions For Families and Groups

1. What are some of the obvious ways that we judge others?

2. What are some of the ways that we judge others which are more subtle?

3. Based on this passage would it be acceptable for a Christian to become a judge in the courts? Why or why not?