The Word of God Judges the Thoughts and Attitudes of the Heart

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Lubber OpinionLubber Opinion

The views and opinions expressed by this lubber do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the crew. Reader discretion be advised. – Staff

A good many claim it’s wrong to judge others. Jesus says as much.

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” – Jesus (Matthew 7:1-6)

“I pass judgment on no one. But if I do judge, my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me.”– Jesus (John 8:15)

“There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day.” – Jesus (John 12:48)

But there is nothing wrong with discerning a matter or testing the fruit of another.  The apostle John says as much. “Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God.” (1 John 4:1-6)

Many speak the words of Jesus but are not speaking in his Spirit when they preach and teach. We only need to listen to the ways they deny the authority and power of Jesus and the relevance of God’s words in our culture today. 

So how do we recognize the Spirit of truth from the spirit of lies? Jesus offers this advice.

“By a person’s fruit you will recognize those who speak lies. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.” – Jesus (Matthew 7:16-20)

“A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart. An evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” – Jesus (Luke 6:45)

“I have given them your word. And because of your word, the world hates them.” – Jesus (John 17:14)

Get the Son’s words in you and it will change both your mind, thinking, heart, and perhaps most of all, your attitude towards others.