Zac Poonen - A People Who Judge Themselves | Full Sermon "Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, `Let me take the speck out of your eye,' and behold, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye" ( Matt.7:1-5 ). There is a need for all of us to be constantly reminded to judge ourselves always and never to judge others. We must all have discernment - but discernment is a spiritual quality, vastly different from judging others, which is a carnal activity. Romans 14 is a chapter that we must all meditate on frequently - so that we are reminded again and again of the freedom that God gives His children in many areas. Here are a few examples of where we may be judging others - outwardly or inwardly. We should not pass opinions (or even have opinions in our minds) about others in such matters: - Whether someone can own a car or not (or two cars!) - or what make it should be. - How big or grand someone's house should not be. - Whether someone can have expensive gadgets in his home. - What level of education someone should give his children. - Whether someone can move elsewhere to get a higher salary, or migrate to another country. - How much property someone can own or how much savings he should have in his bank account (Note: We are not to save up treasure for ourselves (Matt.6:19); but we are commanded to save up for our children (2 Cor.12:14; 1 Tim.5:8)). - Whether someone can stay in (or eat in) expensive hotels/restaurants. - Whether a sister can wear jewellery, or expensive sarees/dresses (Who is to decide how much is "expensive"??), or a salwar-kameez, or women's pants. (The Bible commands women to be modestly dressed - and so we must warn sisters against wearing revealing, tight-fitting, provocative dresses). - Whether men can have long hair. (Nature says "short hair", but God doesn't say anything about this -1 Cor.11:14. And who is to decide what length is "long" or " short"). - Whether women can have short hair. (Long hair is her glory, but this is not commanded by God -1 Cor.11:15. And who is to decide what length is "short" or "long"). - Whether someone can dye his/her hair. - Whether a sister can wear any type of make-up. - Whether someone can watch sports on TV or not (Excessive watching will hinder a person's walk with the Lord, for sport becomes an idol very easily - and we must warn people about this). - Whether someone can have a TV or not (What he watches is the issue). - Whether someone can consider social, economic and educational levels when choosing a marriage partner. [Note: Since there must be "an equal yoke" in all areas (spirit, soul and body), sensible believers will consider these "soul" factors as well.] - Whether someone's wedding was too lavish and grand. - Etc., etc., These are just a few areas. I am sure there are many others. Many of these decisions depend on the income of each family - and income varies considerably among believers. A very simple car, house, education, job or wedding in a big city would be considered extravagant and luxurious by the standards of those living in a poor village. So we cannot judge one another. http://ahavajerusalem.com About Zac Poonen: Zac Poonen was formerly an Indian Naval Officer who has been serving the Lord in India for nearly 50 years as a Bible-teacher. He has responsibility for a number of churches in India and abroad. He has written more than 25 books and numerous articles in English - which have been translated into many Indian and foreign languages. His messages are available on audio CDs and video DVDs. Like the other elders in CFC, Zac Poonen also supports himself and his family through "tent-making" and does not receive any salary for his services. He does not receive any royalty for any of his books, CDs or DVDs, that are published by Christian Fellowship Centre, Bangalore. With Permission from www.cfcindia.com “Copyright – Zac Poonen” http://cfcindia.com © 2014 Christian Fellowship Church, Bangalore, India. All Rights Reserved.
