God’s Revealing Truths,
Uncovering Satan’s Lies
Part 3b of
3
Roger Stillwell – December 1,
2007
· The need for “discerning”
and “skillful” laborers
§ [Open Bibles to] - 2
Timothy 4: 1-5
(v. 1) I charge thee therefore before God, and
the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his
appearing and his kingdom;
(v. 2) Preach the word; be instant in season, out
of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and
doctrine.
(v. 3) For the time will come when they will not
endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to
themselves teachers, having itching ears;
(v. 4) And they shall turn away their ears from
the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
(v. 5) But watch thou in all things, endure
afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy
ministry.
· Opening Word of
Prayer
· 5 More of Satan’s Most Lies
and Deceptions that are most typically
directed toward the church and the believer in
Christ
§ Once saved, always
saved…
§ Judge ye
not…
§ The Old Testament has
passed away…
§ Big churches are better
churches…
§ My accountability lies only
between God and me…
Due to the complexities of each of these deceptions, I
would like to render a full teaching for each of the topics listed. Therefore, today we will only be looking
at whether or not, we are to judge and if so, what are we to judge and how do we
go about it.
· Fallacies behind the common
concept of “Judge ye not…”
§ There are 3 common portions
of scripture that, when taken out of context with other scripture, often give
rise to the concept that we are not to judge any one or
anything.
§ [Open Bibles to] - Matthew
7: 1-5
Key Verses
Matthew 7: 1, 2
(v. 01) Judge not, that ye be not
judged.
(v. 02) For with what judgment ye judge, ye
shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to
you again.
Things to note:
§ Since we know from scripture that God will judge all
things and everyone; verse (1), is not making the implication that you won’t be
judged by God if you keep from judging others. We’re going to be judged
anyway.
§ In verse (2), we are told that; the way in which, we deal
with others, others will deal with us.
§ There is an implication made in verses (1 and 2), that,
our judgments need to be Biblically based in our discernment, with, mercy and
truth.
Matthew 7: 3-5
(v. 03) And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy
brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own
eye?
(v. 04) Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me
pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own
eye?
(v. 05) Thou
hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou
see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's
eye.
Things to note:
§ We need to inspect ourselves
first
§ If we’re in similar sin, we need to sweep our porch first
before we bring ought against another.
§ We need to be kind and merciful; when we bring any ought
against our brother. An eye can be
tender.
§ [Open Bibles to] - Luke 6:
26-38
Things to note:
· This passage defines how
the “believer” is to interact with both, other “believers” and “non-believers”
alike
Luke 6: 27-31
(v. 27) But I say unto you which hear, Love
your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
(v. 28) Bless them that curse you, and pray for
them which despitefully use you.
(v. 29) And unto him that smiteth thee on the
one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to
take thy coat also.
(v. 30) Give to every man that asketh of thee;
and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not
again.
(v. 31) And as ye would that men should do to you,
do ye also to them likewise.
· This passage defines a
difference between the “believer” and the
“non-believer”
Luke 6: 32-36
(v. 32) For if ye love them which love you, what
thank have ye? for sinners also love
those that love them.
(v. 33) And if ye do good to them which do good
to you, what thank have ye? for sinners
also do even the same.
(v. 34) And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope
to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as
much again.
(v. 35) But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing
again; and your reward shall
be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto
the unthankful and to the evil.
(v. 36) Be ye therefore merciful, as your
Father also is merciful.
· Pay close
attention to what is said in Luke 6: 37-38. Standing alone and “out of context” with the above scripture; one
would be left with the impression that we aren’t to judge another person in
anything. However, this is not
the case when we compare these two verses with other
scripture.
Luke 6: 37-38
(v. 37) Judge not, and ye shall not be
judged: condemn not, and ye
shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be
forgiven:
(v. 38) Give, and it shall be given unto
you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you
again.
Compare Luke 6: 37-38
with:
1 Corinthians 2: 14, 15
(v. 14) But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can
he know them, because they are
spiritually discerned.
(v. 15) But he that is spiritual judgeth all
things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
1 Corinthians 5: 12, 13
(v. 12) For what have I to do to judge them also
that are without? do not ye judge
them that are within?
(v. 13) But them that are without God
judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked
person.
John 12: 46-48
(v. 46) I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not
abide in darkness.
(v. 47) And if any man hear my words, and
believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to
save the world.
(v. 48) He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not
my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the
same shall judge him in the last day.
2 Timothy 4: 5
(v. 05) But watch thou in all things, endure
afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy
ministry.
John 7: 24
(v. 24) Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous
judgment.
· These sets of scripture
would seem to contradict one another, unless we make four
distinctions.
1. There is a difference in
judging a person and judging (discerning) the actions of a
person.
2. The two passages in 1
Corinthians make it clear that; we are to be in discernment between the
“believer” and the “non-believer.”
3. The passages in Matthew
and Luke do not contradict that of 1 Corinthians and 2 Timothy if we consider
that they are speaking of man judging man, without any spiritual discernment,
and not exclusively God judging “judgmental” man.
4. John 12: 47-48 and 1 Corinthians 5: 13 both teach that
for a non-repentant, not-believer; we are to put away from us and let God be the
judge of them.
§ [Open Bibles to] – Romans,
Chapter 2
§ Romans 2:
1-11
(v. 01)
Therefore thou art
inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou
judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the
same things.
(v. 02) But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth
against them which commit such things.
(v. 03) And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such
things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of
God?
(v. 04) Or despisest thou the riches of his
goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of
God leadeth thee to repentance?
(v. 05) But after thy hardness and impenitent heart
treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of
God;
(v. 06) Who will render to every man according
to his deeds:
(v. 07) To them who by patient
continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
(v. 08) But unto them that are
contentious, and do not obey the
truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and
wrath,
(v. 09) Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul
of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the
Gentile;
(v. 10) But glory, honour, and peace, to every man
that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the
Gentile:
(v. 11) For there is no respect of persons with
God.
§ There are many concepts to
be learned in this passage
o There is no excuse in judging another persons sin or
actions if that very same sin is present in our lives.
o Before judging another, we need to first inspect
ourselves and our lives.
o The goodness of God (v. 5, 10), leads to repentance. This means that we need to approach
others with kindness, working towards their edification and in truth, having
knowledge of scripture.
o Before judging others, we need to be in obedience of
God’s word ourselves.
o Verse 11 teaches that we cannot lend preferential
treatment towards anyone concerning our actions with regard to sin. This means that we treat everyone, from
an acquaintance to a relative by blood, the same.
§ Romans 2:
12-16
(v. 12) For as many as have sinned without
law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall
be judged by the law;
(v. 13) (For not the hearers of the law are just
before God, but the doers of the law shall be
justified.
(v. 14) For when the Gentiles, which have not the
law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law,
are a law unto themselves:
(v. 15) Which show the work of the law written in
their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their
thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one
another;)
(v. 16) In the day when God shall judge the
secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my
gospel.
Things to take note of:
§ In verse 12, Paul makes the distinction between the Jew
and the Gentile
§ Paul justifies the judgments (accusing or excusing) of
the Gentile believer because; they make their judgments based upon conviction of
conscience, mind and heart – the law is written in their hearts (v.
15).
§ Again, we see this concept that before judging others, we
need to first inspect our own lives and actions.
§ Romans 2:
17-20
(v. 17) Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest
thy boast of God,
(v. 18) And knowest his will, and approvest the things
that are more excellent, being instructed out of the
law;
(v. 19) And art confident that thou thyself art
a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in
darkness,
(v. 20) An instructor of the foolish, a
teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the
law.
Things to take note of:
§ This passage is directed specifically toward the Jews
and, what would be called today, Messianic believers. The full sentence begins in verse 17 and
doesn’t conclude until the end of verse 20.
§ We can see clearly from this text, that, unrighteous
judgments are often rooted in foolish pride and self-righteousness. This becomes even more clearly stated,
in the concluding verses of this chapter.
§ Romans 2:
21-29
(v. 21) Thou therefore which teachest another,
teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou
steal?
(v. 22) Thou that sayest a man should not commit
adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit
sacrilege?
(v. 23) Thou that makest thy boast of the law,
through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?
(v. 24) For
the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is
written.
(v. 25) For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou
be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made
uncircumcision.
(v. 26) Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the
righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for
circumcision?
(v. 27) And shall not uncircumcision which is by
nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision
dost transgress the law?
(v. 28) For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that
circumcision, which is outward in the
flesh:
(v. 29) But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of
the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but
of God.
Things to take note of:
§ In verses 21, 22 and 23; we see again, the need for
self-inspection.
§ In verse 24, Paul is speaking to the Messianic believer
and in verse 25, demonstrates how the name of God is
blasphemed.
§ Verses 28 and 29 are the
two most important verses of the entire chapter. In them, we clearly see that being born
a Jew, doesn’t necessarily make a person a Jew. God defines a Jew as being someone who
is circumcised in heart and spirit and this is regardless of whether the person
was “born” a Jew or not. This was
also demonstrated in verse 15.
When we place the first 11 verses into context with the
rest of the chapter, we find that where it states “thou art inexcusable, O
man, whosoever thou art that judgest,” Paul is mostly speaking of the
Messianic believer that has puffed himself up in pride, somehow thinking he is
more in God’s favor than the Gentile, and judging the Gentile believer. This verse then, is not implying
that the Gentile believer shouldn’t be in judgment (discernment) of sin in
whomever or wherever found.
§ Although these passages
teach us not to judge others (the person); we are also instructed to judge the
actions of others with all spiritual discernment (judging sin, truth from
untruth, good from evil or spiritual from
worldly).
· Are we to judge sin and
unrighteousness?
Ezekiel 3: 17-21
(v. 17) Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto
the house of
Israel
: therefore hear the word at my
mouth, and give them warning from me.
(v. 18) When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt
surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked
from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his
iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine
hand.
(v. 19) Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he
turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his
iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy
soul.
(v. 20) Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his
righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he
shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and
his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will
I require at thine hand.
(v. 21) Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the
righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is
warned; also thou hast delivered thy
soul.
Things to take note of:
§ We see from this passage that we are required to both
warn the believer and the non-believer. Moreover, how can we warn the wicked, if we haven’t first judged their
actions to be sinful or unrighteous? So then, we can see that we are to be judging (discerning) of the actions
of others (believers and non-believers alike).
§ When a believer turns from faith and commits sin, God
will cast a stumblingblock (v. 20) before the
“back-slider.”
Other supporting
scripture
§ 1 Corinthians 5:
9-13
§ 1 Corinthians 6:
1-5
§ 1 Corinthians 2:
12-16
§ 1 Timothy 5:
20-22
· How are we to
judge – Please see the handout “So, you have an ought against someone” (last 2 pages of this text).
§ Do you have a Biblical
Reason to have this ought against this person? Is there a specific sin
involved?
[Open Bibles to] – Luke 12:
51-57
Key Verses
Luke 12: 54-57
(v. 54) And he said also to the people, When ye
see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and
so it is.
(v. 55) And when ye see the south wind blow, ye
say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass.
(v. 56) Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face
of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this
time?
(v. 57) Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is
right?
Your ought is not based
Biblically
§ Repent for your
anger
James 1: 20
(v. 20) For the wrath of man worketh not the
righteousness of God.
Matthew 5: 22
(v. 22) But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without
a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his
brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou
fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
§ Forgive the person for
their trespass
Matthew 6: 14, 15
(v. 14) For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
(v. 15) But if ye forgive not men their
trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your
trespasses.
Matthew 18: 21, 22
(v. 21) Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me,
and I forgive him? till seven times?
(v. 22) Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times:
but, Until seventy times seven.
§ Allow your peace to return
unto you
Ephesians 4: 26, 27
(v. 26) Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your
wrath:
(v. 27) Neither give place to the
devil.
Your ought is based
Biblically
§ Are you sinning in the same
manner?
1 Corinthians 11: 31-33
(v. 31) For if we would judge ourselves, we should
not be judged.
(v. 32) But when we are judged, we are chastened
of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the
world.
(v. 33) Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come
together to eat, tarry one for
another.
§ Do you have similar
weakness in the temptations that have led to this person’s sinful act? If so, you need to be considering what
your actions would be if you were placed under the same temptation that led to
the person to giving into the temptation. Would you have given into the same temptation under the same
conditions?
§ If you have answered yes to
any of these questions; you need to remove the beam in your eye before
considering the speck in the other person’s eye. Proceed no further, until you’ve made
the necessary corrections in your life.
Matthew 7: 3-5
(v. 03) And why beholdest thou the mote that is
in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own
eye?
(v. 04) Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let
me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own
eye?
(v. 05) Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own
eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's
eye.
§ Is the person that you are
working with a “believer?”
The person is not a believer
§ Privately go to that person
and warn them of their wicked ways
Remember Ezekiel 3: 18,
19
(v. 18) When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt
surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked
from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his
iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine
hand.
(v. 19) Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he
turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his
iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy
soul.
· If they repent, you have
gained a brother
· If they do not repent,
depart from them and allow God to Judge them
John 12: 47, 48
(v. 47) And if any man hear my words, and
believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the
world.
(v. 48) He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not
my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall
judge him in the last day.
1 Corinthians 5: 12, 13
(v. 12) For what have I to do to judge
them also that are without? do not ye
judge them that are within?
(v. 13) But
them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that
wicked person.
2 Corinthians 6: 14-18
(v. 14) Be ye not unequally yoked together with
unbelievers: for what fellowship hath
righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with
darkness?
(v. 15) And what concord hath Christ with
Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an
infidel?
(v. 16) And what agreement hath the
temple
of
God
with idols? for ye are the temple of
the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I
will be their God, and they shall be my people.
(v. 17) Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the
Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive
you,
(v. 18) And
will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord
Almighty.
1 Corinthians 16: 22
(v. 22) If
any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema
Maranatha.
The person is a
believer
§ Privately go to that person
and warn them of their wicked ways
Remember Ezekiel 3: 20,
21
(v. 20) Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his
righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he
shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and
his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will
I require at thine hand.
(v. 21) Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the
righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is
warned; also thou hast delivered thy
soul.
§ When working
with a believer, it is important that we strive to follow Matthew 18: 15-17 to
the letter…
Matthew 18: 15-17
(v. 15) Moreover if thy brother shall trespass
against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall
hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
(v. 16) But if he will not hear thee, then take
with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every
word may be established.
(v. 17) And if he shall neglect to hear them,
tell it unto the church: but if he
neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a
publican.
§ If they’re still
unrepentant, we need to put them away until such time as they see the error of
their ways and come to repentance.
Titus 3: 8-11
(v. 08) This is a faithful saying, and these
things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God
might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable
unto men.
(v. 09) But avoid foolish questions, and
genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are
unprofitable and vain.
(v. 10) A man that is an heretic after the first
and second admonition reject;
(v. 11) Knowing that he that is such is subverted,
and sinneth, being condemned of himself.
1 Corinthians 5: 12, 13
(v. 12) For what have I to do to judge
them also that are without? do not ye
judge them that are within?
(v. 13) But
them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that
wicked person.
1 Corinthians 16: 22
(v. 22) If
any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema
Maranatha.
· Some parting “food for
thought”
§ If the sinner
repents
o We’ve gained a brother in
Christ
o Try to follow up, holding
to the edification and strengthening of you brother
o Instruct them in the Word
of God with all compassion
§ If the sinner does not
repent
o Forgive them of their
trespass against you.
o Let them know the door is
open should they reconsider.
o Remember that light has no
fellowship with darkness – depart from the
wicked.
o Leave them and the
situation in God’s hands. Ultimately, He will be their judge.
o Allow your peace to return
unto you – “Grudge Not”
· Next time we’re going to
look at the fallacies concerning whether or not, the “Old Testament” is just as
valid today as it was in it’s time before
Christ.
· Closing Word of
Prayer
