Results 1 - 6 of 6
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Guidelines on rebuking | Matthew | Theo-Minor | 125753 | ||
Always remember that they are blinded by the lord of this world. They challenge you because they do not see what we see clearly. We have been shown the light. You speak to them in love, and this is a good thing. No matter what, continue this behavior. 1) Matt 5:43-48 You have heard that it has been said, "You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy." But I say to you, "Love your enemies, bless those that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for those that despitefully use you ..." 2) John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another. In answer to the direct question, "How much should I rebuke," let me attempt an answer with as much sincerity as I can: If you don't know the answer to the question, the answer is "never." If you don't have the knowledge to answer such a question, then you don't have the knowledge to be rebuking anyone for anything. Do you understand what I mean? "Rebuke" is a dangerous thing that comes terribly close to "Judgement," and you don't want to judge anyone. (Rom 2:1; Jms 4:12) It is ugly and un-Christian-like, and if you don't know where the line is between rebuke and judgement, you run the risk of driving someone away. Further, you SHOULD respect their right to choose. If they are challenging what you say, it is your responsibility to study to show yourself a workman approved of God (2 Tim 2:15); prepared in season and out, always, to give an answer for the hope you have (1 Pet 3:15). If the answers are out there and available (and they are), and you don't know them, is it THEIR fault they don't believe you? Or is it yours for not being prepared? In either case, you are doing well. Treat them with a spirit of love, which is your silent witness to them. Be patient. Be accommodating within the bounds of reason. Be eager to instruct. Don't judge. Don't knit pick or make them feel worthless. Just witness with love and truth and let God do the rest. God bless, brother. P.S. Never give up on them. While there is life, there is hope (Ecc 9:4). |
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2 | Guidelines on rebuking | Matthew | kalos | 125773 | ||
Do not judge? Do not judge and criticize and condemn others, so that you may not be judged and criticized and condemned yourselves. Matthew 7:1 Amplified New Testament "7:1 Judge not. As the context reveals, this does not prohibit all types of judging (v. 16). There is a righteous kind of judgment we are supposed to exercise with careful discernment (John 7:24). Censorious, hypocritical, self-righteous, or other kinds of unfair judgments are forbidden; but in order to fulfill the commandments that follow, it is necessary to discern dogs and swine (v. 6) from one's own brethren (vv. 3-5)" (1997, Word Publishing). When taken as a whole and diligently compared one to another, the Scriptures do NOT prohibit all types of judging. Do not judge? Anyone? Anything? Ever? A careful reading of the NT and a study of the passages in which the English word "judge" appears may surprise you. According to the Scriptures (see below), Christians are to judge: - all things - those who are inside the church - the world - angels - what is said or taught - ourselves So believers are to judge at least six different things or groups of people. Scriptural examples of Christians judging are presented below. (The following Scripture quotations are from the NKJV unless otherwise noted. Words in parentheses ( ) or brackets [ ] are from the text of the Amplified New Testament (ANT).) 1 Co 2:15 (ANT) But the spiritual man tries all things [he examines, investigates, inquires into questions, and discerns all things], yet is himself to be put on trial and judged by no one . . . 1 Co 5: 12 For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge (pass disciplinary judgment [passing censuring sentence on them as the facts require]) those who are inside [the church]? 1 Co 6:2 Do you not know that the saints will judge (and govern) the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge (try) the smallest matters? 1 Co 6:3 Do you not know that we shall judge angels (and pronounce opinion between right and wrong [for them])? How much more, things that pertain to this life? 1 Co 6:5 I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge ( to decide [the private grievances, disputes, and quarrels]) between his brethren? 1 Co 10: 15 I speak as to wise men; judge (think over and make up your minds) for yourselves [about] what I say. 1 Co 11:31 For if we would judge (searchingly examine) ourselves [detecting our shortcomings and recognizing our own condition], we would not be judged. 1 Co 14:29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge (pay attention and weigh and discern what is said). 2 Co 13:5 (ANT) Examine and test and evaluate your own selves to see whether you are holding to your faith and showing the proper fruits of it. Test and prove yourselves . . . NASB 1 Thessalonians 4:8 So, he who rejects this is not rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you. |
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3 | Guidelines on rebuking | Matthew | Theo-Minor | 125799 | ||
It is not a matter of discernment I speak about. I speak directly concerning judgement leading to condemnation. I'm well aware of the passages you've noted. Keep in mind the contexts and meanings. Most of your examples are in reference to examination. This I do not disagree with. We should judge (examine) things and judge (determine) what we should do about them after careful judgement (discernment) of the options in the matter. We should not, however, pass judgement (determine guilt) on others. We will some day judge both the world and the angels (determine guilt), but we are not yet standing before the judgement seat in new and perfected bodies, glorified and in the image of the ascended Christ, that we might pass said judgements. The Corinthians were taking each other to court over trivial matters. Rather than this, it was a better resolution to solve the dispute internally, judging (discerning) the matter amongst brothers in Christ instead of before secular magistrates, thus judging (determining a resolution) in the matter. It's fair to contend that a person that is not saved is not yet a "brother," but we must be ever mindful that God is willing that none should perish, but that all should come to repentence. (2 Pet 3:9) To say that "it is necessary to discern dogs and swine from one's own brethren" is not really a matter of judgment. Such a thing is readily apparent when you actually confront such a person. I do not lightly choose to relagate the personna of dog or swine to anyone. That referred to me once upon a time, but God found me, cleansed me, and made me his own. Remember that Christ died for us while we were yet sinners. I choose not to judge another, and it is my opinion that no person that recognizes the doctrine of the New Testament will choose to do so either. We are to love one another. It has been my experience during my younger Christian years that judgment usually required a measure of anger, hatred, envy, jealousy, or some other emotion that is contrary to the spirit of the commandment of Christ which is to love one another as he loved us. If I'm angry at someone, it is my responsibility in the spirit of love to forgive them. If I'm jealous, it is my duty to bring that thought into the obedience of Christ. When the moment comes to judge another, if all things contrary to love have been brought into obedience, I find that all I want to do is love them and show them Christ. Recognize this, that if you are guilty of any sin, you are guilty of all. (James 2:10) To judge someone else, you judge them by the law, and to do so, you have to put them under the law, and simultaneously yourself as well. If you judge (determine the guilt of) someone else when you are guilty of an equal offense, you are a hypocrite and will be judged by the same standard you judge that other person. Matt 7:1-2 Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged: and with what measure you mete, it will be measured to you again. This, in addition to Romans 2:1 "Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whosoever you are that judges: for wherein you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you that judge do the same things." I'm honestly not entirely sure why you contradicted me. I advised that he should pray for the person, love them, cast no judgment on them, and trust in God to bring them around. You wrote in with what seems the intention to instruct him to judge and condemn. I do not understand this. It is our goal to make disciples of all men. The world is condemned enough on its own without us passing judgment on it. God will judge the world in righteousness. Instead of wasting our time judging what is lost already, should we not instead take the time to show them love, that they might come to the truth? I promise that more people will come to Christ through love and hope than through judgment and condemnation. Please consider these things. Theo-Minor |
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4 | Guidelines on rebuking | Matthew | kalos | 125802 | ||
Theo-Minor: Thank you for your reply. I will indeed consider the points you raise. In my previous Note the very first Scripture I quoted was: Do not judge and criticize and condemn others, so that you may not be judged and criticized and condemned yourselves. Matthew 7:1 Amplified New Testament I honestly do not believe that I wrote anything that contradicts Matthew 7:1. Grace to you, kalos |
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5 | Guidelines on rebuking | Matthew | Theo-Minor | 125804 | ||
kalos ... brother/sister? All my love to you. I wasn't angry or anything ... just confused as to what you were trying to get at. I wondered if perhaps we were on different pages. I don't disagree with what you said at all. What you seemed to be saying just didn't appear to have any application to what I was getting at, which was, "don't rebuke anyone for any reason if you don't have the knowledge to understand what you are doing or why." I supported some of your other arguements, by the way. You strike me as well read. I hope to see a bunch of good topics come up. Theo-Minor |
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6 | Guidelines on rebuking | Matthew | kalos | 125805 | ||
Theo-Minor: "Don't rebuke anyone for any reason if you don't have the knowledge to understand what you are doing or why." Amen! I agree with you 100 percent. I also fully agree with you that: 'If you don't know the answer to the question, the answer is "never." If you don't have the knowledge to answer such a question, then you don't have the knowledge to be rebuking anyone for anything. Do you understand what I mean?' Amen again! I do understand what you mean. There is good, sound wisdom in your post and I regret that I came across as being harsher and more negative in my reply than I meant to be. Welcome to the forum. I look forward to your active participation. Grace and shalom to you, kalos |
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