Love: Judging, Discerning, Exhorting

Before all else - lets us first examine ourselves and determine if we are speaking, living, and encouraging in love.  Love never fails.  However, Truth (even when spoken in Love) may be attacked, and may cause others to stumble on the Rock.

I just finished reading a post by a friend and was intrigued that someone saw his comments as a personal judgment.  Since I am currently dealing with this issue with someone very close to me, I wanted to address what IMHO may be an misunderstanding in communication and interpretation.

1 Thes. 5:11   "So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing."

Definitions first:

What is the difference between judgment and discernment? 

Judgement = looking at the situation or action and determining if it lines up with the Word of God.  A pronouncement is made whether it does or doesn't line up.

Discernment = a discerning of spirits (not people) seeing the spiritual force behind or involved in the situation.  People are NOT demonic spirits - so we are NOT discerning them.

First let us address this issue:  Are Christians ever suppose to judge an idea, a thought, a philosophy, a doctrine?  The answer is a resounding "Yes"!  Of course we are to determine whether these things lines up with the Word of God or not.  Remeber - we love the people at all times.

Second:  What are Christians supposed to judge?  Eternal security? No - that is a spiritual condition.  People: No - they are to be loved.  I cannot determine the intent of the heart, but I can judge the action, situation, doctrine, or tradition by its fruit.  Is this that I am judging producing Christ in the person's life?  Is it causing them to be built upon the Rock? Are the people becoming more like Him?  Are the people being spiritually libertated or is this action, situation, doctrine, or tradition binding them to the world's system?

Exhort:  To urge by strong, often stirring argument, admonition, advice, or appeal.

My Hubby is one who exhorts.  For years I missed out on the gift that he was to the Body of Christ.  I could only see things from my natural perspective.  I have the natural, fleshy ability to see things to the heart of the matter.  Before I accepted the Lord I used to expect that others would want to be informed of the "truth" and ended up "killing" quite a few people in my great quest. (note I did NOT capitalize truth - because this was my perspective and NOT God's -who is Truth)  My way was to expose the truth, cut out error (without pain relief), and then expect the person to thank me for setting them straight.  I couldn't figure out why people just didn't embrace my truth.  Even after I accepted the Lord I too often fell to my " old ways".  So - tired of the rejection and the misunderstanding I received, I decided, "Lord I love You but I hate Your kids!"  Needless, to say God has had a lot renovation to do in my heart! (and He isn't finished yet) 

Hubby's way is to set aside the personalities involved, examine the facts, logically organize the situation, and determine a path back to the purity of the Word.  He does not argue (from a sense of bickering) but rather makes an appeal to spiritual reason, judgment, and discernment.  His words are those of appeal:  have you considered, have you thought about, etc. He never "nails" the person.  He is making an appeal.  He gives the person the freedom to willingly choose for the scales to be removed and for their ears to open to Truth. (as opposed to my demanding, threatening choices of words)

Okay, your love for God and His Body has opened your eyes to see an error.  You recognize it as a stunting of spiritual growth to the body of Christ.  This error is also causing a separation between the Bride and Bridgrrom.  You recognize the prevailing spirit behind the error - so now what do you do?   You really only have one choice:  ask your Father what He would have you do with what you have been shown.  Reveal it?  Pray? And the clincher - how would You say that?

Speakers, teachers, and writers must hone their spirit's ability to hear the words, and see the actions of the Spirit of God.  We are commanded to only say what we hear spoken and to do what we see. Whatever God tells you to do be quick to obey. Remembering always to love, encourage and exhort.

 

 

Comments

[Joel Spencer]

Great train of thought Susan (obviously). To be completely honest, I grow weary of these matters and would love to "move on" to something else, something else that was just, I don't know... easier. Controversial topics and issues that make people's fangs grow out seem to be about the only thing that I'm led back to, so it's always beneficial for me to step back and constantly assess how I go about delivering such messages.

I do embrace the belief that love takes on many forms and they are not all always filled with love-dovey, all-is -ell words that makes the heart warm. Love, at times, can be a tough word that gives one the option of hearing, despite its undesirableness.

I do believe my desire is to see others grasp the awesome reality of all that is being in Christ, so much more so than just "revealing error". I learned quite quickly years ago that being a whistleblower only gets you ridiculed and tagged as a prideful judge. Being told that often does cause one to regularly address the question, "well, am I?" so perhaps it's actually beneficial as it provides consistent reminders.

So, thanks for posting your views on the issue and for sharing your experiences within it. I have much to learn.

[JabGinna]

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