Judging: Biblically, Can A Man Ever Judge Another?

 

In John 7:24 the words of the Messiah are recorded as the following: “Do not judge by the outward appearance.” Sadly, many people simply stop here and erect an unstable and incomplete doctrine. “Don’t judge… see, it says it right here. We cannot judge. That’s ‘God’s job’” they say.

But let us keep reading as this short line continues, “but judge with righteous judgment.” In our latest 2-part video series we look at answering the question, “Can a mere man ever rightly judge another man, biblically?” One of the keys to the answer is found in the second line of Messiah’s words. “Judge with righteous judgments.”

Do you know what these are? How is a man to even begin rightly removing the speck out of a brother’s eye? Do we just merely shrug everything off and disregard the biblical mandate to discern and bring humble correction to the Body as She suffers and fails?

There are answers to these questions, for those who truly want to know how to biblically edify, correct and discipline the Body, when necessary. To be clear, it starts with first rightly applying, and submitting to, Father’s righteous judgments ourselves – first. Consider watching the new series, won’t you? The Body could sure use a strong dose of rightly applying Father’s righteous judgements right now. Do you agree? 

The video series link to this series is HERE.

Two Types of Wisdom: Do You Know The Difference?

 

James 3:13-18   

Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, free of hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Did you know that, biblically, there are two types of wisdom? One "comes down from above" and the other is "earthly, natural, demonic."

Allow me to ask, how have you trained yourself and your family to discern between the two? What process do you have in place to patiently determine which one is which? Many people flippantly assume that Holy Spirit will; just magically lead them to perfect truth. While I'm sure not discounting Holy Spirit's ability, it's you and I that I'm concerned about.

We must slow down and filter all matters of life through the wisdom criteria of the Word. The words of the Most High are our best counsel. This is why Messiah quoted the Torah and the Prophets when He was tempted by haSatan. This is why the righteous men of old live set apart, holy lives. The Torah of YHWH is perfect, friends. perfect. (Some of you may need to let that really sink in.)

And I'd caution us to not get lost in minute details either. I don't believe that this is about a lifestyle of "Father, should I choose 'Door A' or 'Door B' issue."

How do we govern our lives according to the overreaching counsel of heavenly wisdom? Let us not think too highly of ourselves and presume that we always know the difference. Choose well today!

* For more on this topic, tune into the new video series, "Prayers & Petitions: When YHWH Grants A Request, but Brings Leanness of Soul."

Walking Our Own Way, and Then Blaming The Most High

 

Proverbs 19:2&3 Zeal without knowledge is not good, or to act hastily and miss the way. One who hurries his footsteps errs.  The foolishness of a man ruins his way, and his heart rages against YHWH.

In our upcoming video series, one thing we'll discuss is how to properly apply wisdom to our prayer lives. One key facet, if we truly want to find Father's will, is that we slow down.

In today's text, we see useful counsel towards this principle. When we move too quickly and act in haste, we risk missing the way that we should go. As I present in the upcoming videos, I found it interesting that when a fool acts in such a way, his response is that "his heart rages against YHWH."

Properly understood, the impatient fool moves on his own accord and then becomes angry with YHWH when the results of *his own actions* cause a bad outcome. We've all, of course, been guilty of this at some point in our lives.

Be sure to tune into the upcoming 2-part video series as we look to biblical records to help us reverse the pattern of foolish behavior and grumbling impatience.

HalleluYah!: The Praise of a Set Apart People

 HalleluYah!
How good it is to sing praises to our Elohim.
How pleasant and fitting is praise.   YHWH builds up Jerusalem.
He gathers together the exiles of Israel He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.

Psalm 147:1-3

Verses such as these surely come alive in a new way, when you understand identity and covenant. A covenant people sing praises to the One Name above all names - Yahweh. This is why we proclaim "HalleluYah!" "Praise be to Yahweh!" and to no other.

And what does He do? He builds up a city. He gathers who? The exiles of Israel! The scattered, covenantal People who walk in His wonderful ways. The sojourning ones, in the likeness of Abraham and Master Yeshua.

And there, He heals our hearts and bandages our wounds. Friend, be sure today that you understand the biblical account of joining yourself with Father's covenantal and familial work. I want us all to be able to declare, "HalleluYah!" Do you know of these promises?

The Torah... In the Future Age?

Micah 4:2 Then many nations will go and say:
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of YHWH,
    to the House of the Elohim of Jacob!
Then He will direct us in His ways,
    and we will walk in His paths.”
For Torah will go forth from Zion,
and the word of YHWH from Jerusalem.

 Isaiah 35:8 A highway will be there - a roadway.
It will be called the Way of Holiness.
The unclean will not travel on it.
It is for the one who walks the way.
Fools will not go astray.

 

Sadly, many people are unaware of the prophesied, future age and, specifically, the role of the Torah of the Creator within it. It would do us all well to shake off the inherited belief ideology that has errantly told us that it's merely a "legalistic law code 'for the Jews,' that no man could ever keep anyway."

It is perfect, friend. It revives the soul. It is a lamp. It is a light. Man could obey it and chose not to. To say otherwise disagrees with the very words of the Most High. (Deut. 30) And It will be the government of the future kingdom, where the Great High Priest Yeshua will rule and reign forever. If you're counting on New Jerusalem being your future abode, please be sure that you're not a part of "choosing grace OR Torah" today, friend. It has never been an "either/or" issue.

I want us all to be a part of the ones who "walks the way." I choose to agree with, and reiterate, the words of John. "Loved ones, I am not writing a new commandment for you, but an old commandment - one you had from the beginning. This old commandment is the word you have heard." (1 John 2:7) Selah.