Author: Pastor Viju Mathai

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Discernment vs. Judgment – V (God’s Guidelines for Discerning)

April 4, 2016

Posted by Pastor Viju Mathai under Articles, Sermons

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1 Corinthians 2:14-16… 14 The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned (diakrino) only through the Spirit. 15 The person with the Spirit makes judgments (anakrino: scrutinize carefully in order to make a judgment) about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, 16 for, “Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

The Bible commanded Christians to exercise discernment and…

Discerning the source:

The gift of discernment, is not about discerning the hearts of people but about discerning the source of something. When you are operating in the gift of discernment, you are recognizing where the driving force behind an action is coming from. Many times, the actual motivational force behind people’s actions and behavior is not clear. This is where the gift of discernment comes in.

3 categories of spirits discerned by the gift of discernment

The Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God living in the inside of born again believers in Jesus. This is recognized by the evidence of the fruit of the Spirit talked about in Galatians chapter 5.
The human spirit. Man is a triune being created in the image of God. He has body, soul, and spirit. The spirit of man usually can be recognized by a self-centered or egotistical point of reference.
Demonic spirits. These are fallen angels of whom, Satan is the leader. They are not all knowing, or all powerful, or have other attributes only attributed to God, but they are powerful and dangerous. You can tell if you are dealing with a demonic spirit by the fact that they are always in opposition to the advancement of the kingdom of God. They will oppose the advance of the kingdom of God in the life of an individual or in the region of humanity they are in charge of.

Two kinds of Judgment

Judgment that God condemns: Krino (James 4:11-12; slander; Matthew 7:1-2)
1. Krino: to pronounce judgment or criticize someone’s action, or condemnation, sentence
  - Setting: court room, judge, law, accuser, defendant and witness
  - Sentencing with wrong motive and false presumptions, without giving the defendant a chance to defend, no witness, not upholding the law of love (James 2:8)
  - Wrong Motive: Flesh driven, Spiritual pride, Anger, hate filled, false humility, religiosity
Judgment that God commends: Anakrino, Diakrino, Dokimazo
1. Anakrino: analyze, examine, investigate, ask questions, cross-examine, study, call to account
  - scrutinize carefully in order to make a judgment
  - your boss evaluates your job performance
2. Diakrino: separate thoroughly, decide and discern, Distinguish right/wrong; good/bad
  - You see someone steal and deciding they shouldn’t do that (because you know right from wrong)
  - You carefully select fresh fruits and vegetables at the market
  - It is just like a jury weighing the evidence before them to reach a verdict of guilty or innocent
  - Moral Judgment: right/wrong; good/bad; good/best
  - Practical Judgment: godliness/worldliness
  - Philosophical Judgment: Truth/Error
  - Compromise within the body of Christ: Order/Disorder
3. Dokimazo: test, examine, discern, prove, approve or disapprove

ERRONEOUS BASIS FOR JUDGMENT

Not based on Enthusiasm / Zeal / Emotions
Not to be based on Human Passions / Feelings / Personal Preferences or Standards
Not to be based on Outward Appearances – Judge Righteous Correct Judgment
Not to be made Hastily nor with Insufficient Facts

How do we discern?

The Bible is a discerner (judge) of the thoughts and attitudes of the heart
Discern all things with the help of the Holy Spirit. Human spirit is never accurate
The ultimate judge of our motive and action is God alone

1. Judge According to Scriptural Standards – Biblical Justification

Hebrews 4:12… For the word of God is alive and active (quick and powerful). Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing (asunder) soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts (discerner of thoughts) and attitudes (intents) of the heart.

Judge Righteously: The Bible shows us what’s right, what’s not right, how to get right and how to stay right. We need to be like the noble Bereans who “…searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Acts 17:11.

Acts 17:10-12 (Paul and Silas in Berea after being chased out from Thessalonica) 10 As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. 12 As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.

The Word of God divides between truth and error, right and wrong, fact and fiction, order or disorder, worldliness or godliness. If we are to judge righteously we need to judge by the righteous standard of God’s Word. It is there we find “instruction in righteousness.” This inspired Book, this standard of righteousness, is the medium for “reproof” and “correction.”

2 Timothy 3:16… All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

Psalm 119:105… Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path (it is excellent for guidance)

Judging Moral issues: Moral issues are those which involve a difference of belief and not a matter of preference, personal feelings and experiences, specific situations that affect people, action that could help or harm others. Before you make a judgment, ask yourself: “Do I have a biblical right to judge this matter?” A moral issues are not inherently right or wrong. This is what Paul was talking about in Colossians 2:16.

Colossians 2:16… Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.

On such amoral issues we should never judge nor should we be judged. If Scripture is silent about a matter, so should we be silent. Unless the clear commands or teachings of Scripture have been violated, we should give our brothers or sisters in Christ the freedom to serve God or worship or evangelize under their own consciences and preferences.

Illustration. The Bible commands us to witness. However, they are numerous methods of evangelism:

Mass evangelism = crusades, services, special outreach programs, etc. Pentecost, Paul on Mars Hill, Jesus and the 5,000 and the 4,000.
Cold turkey door-to-door – Acts 20:20; Luke 14:23

Acts 20:20… You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house.

Luke 14:23… “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full.

Personal – John 4, Jesus and the Samaritan woman
Media – The Gospels = literature, letters, TV, radio, films, Internet, videos

Christians know they should witness, so they expect everyone to use the same methods they have found successful. For the judgmental believer anyone who chooses methods other than the one he likes is not fully committed to evangelism.

Illustration. about clothing, music type of worship: The Bible teaches that God deserves respect and reverence. Then a man-made standard is set by each of us that dictates what showing reverence is. For one the worship dress standard is a suit and tie for men and a dress for ladies. That is my personal preference. However, there was a day when all the hit-men of the Mafia wore suits. Just wearing a suit will not make a person reverent. If you criticize another believer as being irreverent simply because of the style of his clothing you have crossed the line between discernment and judgment and become a Pharisee. That’s why you will not hear me criticize Presbyterians for their formal worship style nor Charismatics for their emotional style, though both go beyond my personal and probably most of your preferences. Criticizing other believers because they use hymns or contemporary choruses, drama, films, various kinds of musical instruments, graphics, order of service, clapping, the style of their cloths, hair, witnessing style and a host of other variables has crossed the line from discernment to judgment. Paul says don’t do it and don’t let anyone bother you who judges you in such amoral matters.

Man-made standards (adding personal applications to the teaching in scripture): Many well-meaning believers unintentionally develop a judgmental attitude because they use their standard rather than a Scriptural standard. They often confuse the teachings of Scripture with their personal application of those teachings. As a result they become modern day Pharisees. The Pharisees problem was that they added their application to the teachings of Scripture.

One must ask “Do I have the biblical right to judge this matter?” If Scripture is silent about a matter, so should we be silent. Unless the clear commands or teachings of Scripture have been violated, we should give our brothers or sisters in Christ the freedom to serve God or worship or evangelize under their own consciences and preferences.

2. Irrefutable evidence – Matt 18:15-16; Deut 17:6

The presumption of judging – Job 4:7-9; John 9:1-3; Judging is always a presumptuous act. We assume we have all the evidence and understand why the judged believer did what he did.

Job’s friends concluded he was a hypocrite because they jumped to the conclusion that all suffering is due to sin

Job 4:7-9… 7 “Consider now: Who, being innocent, has ever perished? Where were the upright ever destroyed? 8 As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it. 9 At the breath of God they perish; at the blast of his anger they are no more.

The disciples jumped to the same conclusion in judging the man born blind in John 9:1-3

John 9:1-3 (Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind) … 9 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.

The peace delegation thought to be spies – 2 Sam 10:1-8

2 Samuel 10:1-8 (David Defeats the Ammonites)… 10 In the course of time, the king of the Ammonites died, and his son Hanun succeeded him as king. 2 David thought, “I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, just as his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent a delegation to express his sympathy to Hanun concerning his father. When David’s men came to the land of the Ammonites, 3 the Ammonite commanders said to Hanun their lord, “Do you think David is honoring your father by sending envoys to you to express sympathy? Hasn’t David sent them to you only to explore the city and spy it out and overthrow it?” 4 So Hanun seized David’s envoys, shaved off half of each man’s beard, cut off their garments at the buttocks, and sent them away. 5 When David was told about this, he sent messengers to meet the men, for they were greatly humiliated. The king said, “Stay at Jericho till your beards have grown, and then come back.” 6 When the Ammonites realized that they had become obnoxious to David, they hired twenty thousand Aramean foot soldiers from Beth Rehob and Zobah, as well as the king of Maakah with a thousand men, and also twelve thousand men from Tob. 7 On hearing this, David sent Joab out with the entire army of fighting men. 8 The Ammonites came out and drew up in battle formation at the entrance of their city gate, while the Arameans of Zobah and Rehob and the men of Tob and Maakah were by themselves in the open country.

The false charges of temple desecration – Acts 21:27-29

Acts 21:27-29 (Paul Arrested)… 27 When the seven days were nearly over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him, 28 shouting, “Fellow Israelites, help us! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people and our law and this place. And besides, he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place.” 29 (They had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with Paul and assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple.)

Since only God knows the big picture, He is the only one who can ultimately judge

John 5:30… By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.

John 8:15-16… You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. 16 But if I do judge, my decisions are right, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me.

John 8:26… “I have much to say in judgment of you. But he who sent me is reliable, and what I have heard from him I tell the world.”

Acts 10:42… He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.

Acts 17:31… For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.”

2 Timothy 4:1… In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge:

2 Timothy 4:8… Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day–and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Since we never see the big picture all our evaluations must remain tentative

1 Corinthians 4:3-5… 3 I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4 My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.

The command for evidence.

Deuteronomy 17:6… On the testimony of two or three witnesses a man shall be put to death, but no one shall be put to death on the testimony of only one witness.

Matthew 18:15-17 (Dealing with Sin in the Church)… 15 “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. ’ 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

1 Timothy 5:19-20… 19 Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. 20 But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning.

Do you have irrefutable evidence? If not keep your mouth shut so you don’t cross the line and sin by judging.

3. Judge Yourself Before You Judge Another – Self-examination

1 Corinthians 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

Basically what this verse is saying is be sure you are right with God before you come to the Lord’s table. That is the context of this passage. Yet there is an important application here Dr. Earnest Pickering puts it this way —

“Human nature being what it is, we are often quick to judge others, but reluctant to judge ourselves. We must always remember that there are many things wrong with our lives and ample reason for us to pass judgment on ourselves before attempting to do so with others.”

God takes this principle very seriously. We see another application of this “judge yourself before you judge others” principle when we consider Church leadership. The Bible says that a man should not be a pastor or deacon who does not rule his own house properly and have his children under control.

1 Timothy 3:5 says, For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?

God expects us to be right with Him, be living in fellowship with Him, to judge ourselves before we judge others.

Matthew 7:1-5… 1. “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

1 Corinthians 11:28… A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.

1 Corinthians 11:31… But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment.

2 Corinthians 13:5… Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test (δοκιμάζω) yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you–unless, of course, you fail the test?

Galatians 6:1-5 (Doing Good to All)… 6 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each one should carry their own load.

Make sure your own life is in order before you try to straighten out someone else. Be sure you are right with God before you tell someone else they need to be. A discerning believer will always examine his own heart, motives and actions before evaluating the actions of other believers. A believer who crosses the line and judges condemns other believers for their outward actions but fails to realize that their actions stem from the same unbiblical attitudes and root problems that he himself has. Romans 2:1-5; 10:14

Romans 2:1-5 (God’s Righteous Judgment)… You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment (krino) on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. 2 Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3 So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? 4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance? 5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.

Romans 2:21-24 (God’s Righteous Judgment)… 21 you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? 22 You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? 24 As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”

Each of the above use the word “dokimazo – δοκιμάζω”. When we fail to do self-examination and judge others we:

We condemn ourselves because we do the same things. – Rom 2:1-3
We will face the reproof/judgment of God – Rom 2:3
We show contempt for the riches of His kindness, tolerance and patience – Rom 2:4
We store up wrath against ourselves – Rom 2:5; 14:10

Romans 14:10… You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.

4. Delegated authority

Even if the actions of another believer are clearly wrong, and even if I have examined my own heart to make sure I am not guilty of the same root problem, I do not necessarily have the right to condemn the wrong. I have to ask myself the question: “Has God given me that authority or does it belong to another?” Ultimately none of us has any inherent authority to be the judge over another brother. Paul admonishes the Romans

Romans 14:1-4 (The Weak and the Strong)… 1 Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. 2 One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. 3 The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. 4 Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.

God has delegated limited authority to four different groups:

Government – Romans 13:1-7
Family – Eph 5:21-6:4; Col 3:18-21
Employer – Eph 6:5-9; Col 3:22-4:1
Church – Heb 13:7, 17

God is the only sovereign authority and each of the delegated authorities are limited in scope and purpose. Every delegated authority will also give account for his authority to God. No matter how strong your convictions about an issue, if you cross the boundary of the authority God has delegated to you, you have entered the twilight zone of judgment.

Be sure you have the biblical authority to pass judgment. Nathan, the prophet, was sent by God to confront King David – 2 Samuel 12. No one else had the authority. If the wrong person confronts the errant believer he will hinder the restoration process and do far more damage than good, even if the actions of the believer he is judging are unquestionably wrong. The Pharisees run in where angels fear to trod. God let David get away with his sin for one year before He sent Nathan to confront him. That was God’s choice.

5. Don’t rebuke an older man in the church

1 Timothy 5:1… Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.

6. Do not judge Or correct a mocker

Mathew 7:5-6… You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. 6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces

Proverbs 9:7-8… Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults; whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse. 8 Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you.

Psalms 141:3-5… Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. 4 Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds along with those who are evildoers; do not let me eat their delicacies. 5 Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness; let him rebuke me —that is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it, for my prayer will still be against the deeds of evildoers.

7. Right motives

Before you judge another believer ask yourself this question: “Why am I doing this? Do I sincerely want to help him grow closer to God, or do I want to show how spiritual I am? Am I intervening out of love or to make my point?” Jesus told the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector to illustrate his point

Luke 18:9-14… 9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ 13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ 14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Here is the pride-filled criticism of a hypocrite who is critical of another person in order to make himself look good or justify sinful behavior or beliefs in his own life! Those who criticize others to make themselves look good, to justify their own sin, to slander someone they dislike or to attract attention to themselves are engaging in unrighteous judgment which God condemns.

Two tests for right motives:

The joy test – If you gain any satisfaction over the shortcomings of another believer you have crossed the line to judging. One who discerns always has a broken heart over the sins and shortcomings of others.
The stumbling-block test – Rom 14:13 Is anything you are doing or saying going to hinder that believer?

Romans 14:13… Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.

Even if you have biblical justification, have examined yourself, have the authority and irrefutable evidence you still may violate discernment and fall into the sin of judging if your motives are not absolutely pure.

8. Private confrontation

2 Samuel 12:7… Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul.

Mathew 18:15… “If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.

1 Corinthians 6:5-6… I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? 6 But instead, one brother goes to law against another–and this in front of unbelievers!

Public attack on an individual or an organization does not meet the biblical requirements.

9. Humble spirit – Prov 15:1

Proverb 15:1… A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Discernment vs. Judgment -IV (How do we Discern)

April 4, 2016

Posted by Pastor Viju Mathai under General, Sermons

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The Bible commanded Christians to exercise discernment and…

Discerning the source:

3 categories of spirits discerned by the gift of discernment

The Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God living in the inside of born again believers in Jesus. This is recognized by the evidence of the fruit of the Spirit talked about in Galatians chapter 5.
The human spirit. Man is a triune being created in the image of God. He has body, soul, and spirit. The spirit of man usually can be recognized by a self-centered or egotistical point of reference.
Demonic spirits. These are fallen angels of whom, Satan is the leader. They are not all knowing, or all powerful, or have other attributes only attributed to God, but they are powerful and dangerous. You can tell if you are dealing with a demonic spirit by the fact that they are always in opposition to the advancement of the kingdom of God. They will oppose the advance of the kingdom of God in the life of an individual or in the region of humanity they are in charge of.

Two kinds of Judgment

Judgment that God condemns: Krino (James 4:11-12; slander; Matthew 7:1-2)
1. Krino: to pronounce judgment or criticize someone’s action, or condemnation, sentence
  - Setting: court room, judge, law, accuser, defendant and witness
  - Sentencing with wrong motive and false presumptions, without giving the defendant a chance to defend, no witness, not upholding the law of love (James 2:8)
  - Wrong Motive: Flesh driven, Spiritual pride, Anger, hate filled, false humility, religiosity
Judgment that God commends: Anakrino, Diakrino, Dokimazo
1. Anakrino: analyze, examine, investigate, ask questions, cross-examine, study, call to account
  - scrutinize carefully in order to make a judgment
  - your boss evaluates your job performance
2. Diakrino: decide and discern, Distinguish right/wrong; good/bad
  - You see someone steal and deciding they shouldn’t do that (because you know right from wrong)
  - You carefully select fresh fruits and vegetables at the market
  - It is just like a jury weighing the evidence before them to reach a verdict of guilty or innocent
  - Moral Judgment: right/wrong; good/bad; good/best
  - Practical Judgment: godliness/worldliness
  - Philosophical Judgment: Truth/Error
  - Compromise within the body of Christ: Order/Disorder
3. Dokimazo: test, examine, discern, prove, approve or disapprove

ERRONEOUS BASIS FOR JUDGMENT

Counterproductive Ministry or Spiritual Malpractice

It is important that we judge things properly, or discern. If a medical doctor were to make such outlandish mistakes, we would put a stop to his “practice”. If a person with appendicitis is diagnosed as having an ulcer, it may seem a mere matter of terminology, but if judged improperly, treatment could lead to death! If a baby has a fever, you wouldn’t put it in the freezer to cool it down. Treating the symptom may make the problem worse!

But the modern church carries on in this “anti-ministry”, leaving behind a wake of damaged souls. It is a very bad symptom when we don’t care if our prayers and ministry are effective; it shows that the object of our “spirituality” is self-glory and not love. We don’t dare look to see for fear of realizing how badly we are doing. Ignorance is bliss. Clearly, we need to learn to judge properly before we act. We need discernment.

Discernment by outward appearances, out of ignorance, confusing cause and effect, symptom with problem, can be devastating–even with the best of intents. If we were willing to ask, willing to wait, willing to listen, we might gain discernment, so that we could “know”, and not have to waver. We might achieve real faith. We would see past the surface, into reality. Our prayers and ministry would be effective. We could know God’s will and see it done.

James 1:5… If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given unto him.

Luke 12:57… “Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right?”

Hosea 4:6… My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.

Why Are Our Prayers And Ministry So Ineffective?

Consider our lack of discernment: Of the causes mentioned in Scripture of God, the world, the flesh, the devil; each Christian sect seems to focus on one and ignore the others.

Diseases are assumed to be demons and “rebuked” without discernment or effect.
Demons are assumed to be sickness, and “treatment” is attempted.
God’s discipline is attributed to Satan, and made light of.
The obvious promptings of the flesh are assumed to be the spirit, or even of the soul. The soul is confused with the flesh and spirit.

A mere matter of terminology, right? With such faulty diagnosis, we attempt “ministry”, to no effect, and often to great harm. Is this ministry? Is this us?

Before we look at the proper bases for judgment I want to point out those that are improper, faulty or erroneous

The danger of Enthusiasm / Zeal / Emotions without Discernment

That brings me to an important issue. Why are many Christians enthusiastic and yet lack discernment? This concerns me. It concerned the Apostle Paul also. He said it was his prayer that believers would continue to let their love grow but, love was to be guided by knowledge and judgment. Let’s read the verse —

Philippians 1:9-11… 9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge (the knowledge that enables one to avoid error) and depth of insight (judgment or discernment or spiritual perception), 10 so that you may be able to discern (approve of things) what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

There are two key words that we need to look at — knowledge & judgment.

Knowledge: The Greek word translated knowledge is epignwsei (epignosis) refers to “the knowledge that enables one to avoid error.”
Judgment is the Greek word aisqhsei (aisthesis) discernment or spiritual perception.

Romans 5:5… And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

But often believers are naive and if this new trusting love is not tempered by knowledge and judgment the believer is easily drawn into error and sin. That’s why Paul prays that these believers will allow their intensity and vibrancy to be guided by knowledge and judgment.

Love between lovers (emotional): Love at first sight is mostly based on emotions. They promise things like “I will bring back moon for you”, “I will climb up the tallest mountain and get you a flower”. As years go by their love is built around knowledge, understanding, sacrifice, commitment, communication, compassion…etc. it takes time, but it gets there. They say “Love is blind, but marriage opens the eyes”
Soldiers fighting a battle (enthusiasm): In olden times soldiers used to change straight to their certain death. Modern warfare is very different, there is knowledge, strategy, deception, strategy, camouflage …etc involved.
First love of a new believer (enthusiastic and emotional love). Christians are asked never to forget their first love….eg. Ephesians church in Revelation 2. Many New believers have this blind emotional love that has no roots. As soon as a trial comes, many fade to their past.
God’s love: He did not love us with an emotional love, but agape love. If it was emotional, it will be based on His moods and that is dangerous. Agape love is inspite of any factors..

Proverb 19:2… It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way.

Think of love as water. Then think of knowledge and judgment as the banks of a river. Believers are to channel their love, intensity and vibrancy by a practical knowledge of the Bible and spiritual judgment, that is, understanding how the Bible applies morally and ethically to their personal life. Those who stay within the riverbanks of knowledge and judgment will, as verse 10 says, “…approve things that are excellent” or make the right choices in life. Those who don’t will wander like a river out of its banks.

Not to be based on Human Passions / Feelings / Personal Preferences or Standards

John 8:15-18 (When the Pharisees challenged when Jesus said “I am the light of the world”)… 12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” 13 The Pharisees challenged him, “Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid.” 14 Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going. 15 You judge by human standards (passions, feelings, personal preferences); I pass judgment on no one. 16 But if I do judge, my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me. 17 In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true. 18 I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me.”

Jesus tells the Pharisees that their judgment was faulty. They made their judgments based on human passions and personal preferences. When Jesus says, “I pass judgment on no one” He is not saying he does not judge. He is saying he does not judge in the same carnal manner as they do.

People often make bad decisions, wrong choices or incorrect judgments when they are based on feeling or the passion of the moment.

Several years back Debby Boon popularized a song entitled You Light Up My Life. As she sang about passionate love between a guy and a gal she sang, “How can it be so wrong when it feels so right?”

Many young men and women have followed the path of passionate feeling and discovered that it lead them down the slippery slope to fornication. Things can be wrong, and often, despite the fact that they feel right. Perhaps we should look at another application. Words spoken or judgments made in the heat of anger are often wrong. We read in

James 1:20… because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.

Judgment should not be made after the flesh that is based on human passions.

Searching the scriptures: The Bible shows us what’s right, what’s not right, how to get right and how to stay right. We need to be like the noble Bereans who “…searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Acts 17:11

Colossians 2:16… Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.

On such a moral issues we should never judge nor should we be judged. If Scripture is silent about a matter, so should we be silent. Unless the clear commands or teachings of Scripture have been violated, we should give our brothers or sisters in Christ the freedom to serve God or worship or evangelize under their own consciences and preferences.

Man-made standards: Many well-meaning believers unintentionally develop a judgmental attitude because they use their standard rather than a Scriptural standard.
Personal application: They often confuse the teachings of Scripture with their personal application of those teachings.

As a result they become modern day Pharisees. The Pharisees problem was that they added their application to the teachings of Scripture.

Illustration. The Bible commands us to witness.

However, they are numerous methods of evangelism:

Mass evangelism = crusades, services, special outreach programs, etc. Pentecost, Paul on Mars Hill, Jesus and the 5,000 and the 4,000.
Cold turkey door-to-door – Acts 20:20; Luke 14:23

Acts 20:20… You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house.

Luke 14:23… “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full.

Personal – John 4 “Jesus and the Samaritan woman”
Media – The Gospels = literature, letters, TV, radio, films, Internet, videos

Illustration on how to serve the Lord

I have come across people who debate on how one must do ministry. They have their personal preferences and believe there is no other way. They say ministry means:

Leave our jobs and serve the Lord: Jesus asked Peter to leave his nets and boats and follow him
Doing ministry along with our work: Paul was called to build his tent and do God’s work

It is all about how a person is called that defines how they will minister. Paul calls them “fellow oarsmen” who will be rewarded for their personal faithfulness.

Illustration about clothing

The Bible teaches that God deserves respect and reverence. Then a man-made standard is set by each of us that dictates what showing reverence is. For one the worship dress standard is a suit and tie for men and a dress for ladies. That is my personal preference. However, there was a day when all the hit-men of the Mafia wore suits. Just wearing a suit will not make a person reverent. If you criticize another believer as being irreverent simply because of the style of his clothing you have crossed the line between discernment and judgment and become a Pharisee. That’s why you will not hear me criticize Presbyterians for their formal worship style nor Charismatics for their emotional style, though both go beyond my personal and probably most of your preferences. Criticizing other believers because they use hymns or contemporary choruses, drama, films, various kinds of musical instruments, graphics, order of service, clapping, the style of their cloths, hair, witnessing style and a host of other variables has crossed the line from discernment to judgment. Paul says don’t do it and don’t let anyone bother you who judges you in such amoral matters.

Not to be based on Outward Appearances – Judge Righteous Correct Judgment

2 Corinthians 10:7 (Paul’s defense of his ministry)… You are judging by appearances (looking only at surface of things). If anyone is confident that they belong to Christ, they should consider again that we belong to Christ just as much as they do.

John 7:24 (Jesus teaches during the festival) … Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly (judge righteous judgment).”

Things aren’t always as they appear. A good illustration of this is found in 1 Samuel 16:1-13. Samuel is told to anoint a new king over Israel from the house of Jesse. The one that looks like the man for the job is Eliab. But note God’s response –

1 Samuel 16:6-7 (After Samuel came to David’s house to pick someone as king)… 6. When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.” 7. But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

In fact, God rejects all the sons that are present! Then, in verse 11 Samuel asks Jesse if he’s got any more sons and come to find out there is one more, the youngest — David. David was God’s pick!

Not to be made Hastily nor with Insufficient Facts

Proverbs 18:13… To answer before listening— that is folly and shame

I think Gill’s commentary is correct when he says, making a judgment is foolish when a person “returns an answer at once, without weighing and considering, and thoroughly understanding, what is said.”

Hasty judgments are often careless judgments. Judgments made based on insufficient information are frequently wrong.

Proverbs 18:17… In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines.

1 Corinthians 4:5… Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.

Our judgment must not be based on

Enthusiasm / Zeal / Emotions without Discernment
Human Passions / Feelings / Personal Preferences or Standards
Outward Appearances
made Hastily nor with Insufficient Facts

How do we discern?

The Bible is a discerner (judge) of the thoughts and attitudes of the heart

Hebrew 4:12… For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges (Kritikos:- critique) the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

The Greek word for discerner/judge here is kritikos (κριτικός ) and is used only in Heb 4:12. It is the word from which we get the English word critique.
Correctly handle the word of truth or rightly divide the word of truth:
In order to exercise righteous judgment or biblical discernment we must know the Word of God. As believers become familiar with the Word of God they become better equipped to judge righteous judgment.

2 Timothy 2:15… Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

Discern all things with the help of the Holy Spirit. Human spirit is never accurate

The spiritual gift of discernment – gift of distinguishing between spirits (NIV) = “diakrisis (διάκρισις) from diakrino”

1 Corinthians 12:10… to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing (diakrino: human, evil or Holy Spirit) between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.

Be Controlled By The Holy Spirit Not The Flesh

You need the help of the Holy Spirit to “anakrino” or discern ones motives and actions.

1 Corinthians 2:14-16… 14 The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned (diakrino) only through the Spirit. 15 The person with the Spirit makes judgments (anakrino: scrutinize carefully in order to make a judgment) about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, 16 for, “Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

said of the exercise of a discerning “judgment” of all things as to their true value, by one who is spiritual; in the same verse, “is judged (of no man),
“examined,” i.e., the merely natural mind cannot estimate the motives of the spiritual

A “spiritual” believer is one who is filled with [controlled by] the Holy Spirit. The spiritual man is a man of discernment and is able to judge and evaluate things with God’s insights. Why? Because the spiritual person has the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16; Phil. 2). This means that the Holy Spirit of God, through the Holy Word of God, helps the believer think as Jesus thinks. This is true wisdom. The people of the world have a great deal of knowledge, but they lack spiritual wisdom.

The ultimate judge of our motive and action is God alone

1 Corinthians 4:3-4… I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4 My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.

“I should be judged,” i.e., as to examining and passing sentence on the fulfillment or nonfulfillment of the Apostle’s stewardship; so in the same verse, “I judge (not mine own self),” and in 1 Cor 4:4 “(he that) judgeth (me is the Lord);

Discernment vs. Judgment -III (Diakrino, Dokimazo)

April 4, 2016

Posted by Pastor Viju Mathai under General, Sermons

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John 7:24… “Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment (judge correctly).”

1 Corinthians 2:9-13 (God’s Wisdom Revealed by the Spirit)… 9 However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” — the things God has prepared for those who love him— 10 these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.

“Diakrino” (dia=through, krino=judge)

Separate thoroughly, to discriminate, decide and discern, to distinguish, to differentiate, (also to contend, to hesitate, to doubt)

You carefully select fresh fruits and vegetables at the market
Moral Judgment: right/wrong; good/bad; good/best
Practical Judgment: godliness/worldliness
Philosophical Judgment: Truth/Error
Compromise within the body of Christ: Order/Disorder

The Case of Simon Peter (Apostle) – Separating the source and not the person

Matthew 16:13-20 (Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah)… 13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades[c] will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

Matthew 16:21-23 (Jesus Predicts His Death)… 21 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. 22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” 23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me (out of my sight Satan!); you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

Amazing how the same mouth that spoke a “word of revelation” was “in the flesh” just a few moments later. The gift is great, but the “in the flesh” part can be a real problem for others. Jesus, who had discernment, openly “judged” Simon Peter, moments after praising him. For most of us, we will not have to openly judge, but simply decide for ourselves whether or not the “prophetic” message is from above or from below.

To separate thoroughly, to discriminate, to discern, to differentiate, to distinguish (Matt 16:3).

It is the word used for discerning the conditions of the sky in Matt 16:3.

Matthew 16:1-4 (The Demand for a Sign)… 1 The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven. 2 He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ 3 and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast. ’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. 4 A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Jesus then left them and went away.

To make a distinction between persons by evaluation

Acts 15:9… He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.

To arbitrate between persons, to weigh thoroughly each part, judge a dispute, settle a difference.

Paul uses this word to keep the Corinthians form going to court with a fellow believer.

1 Corinthians 6:1-6 (Lawsuits among Believers)… 1 If any of you has a dispute with another, do you dare to take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the Lord’s people? 2 Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! 4 Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, do you ask for a ruling from those whose way of life is scorned in the church? 5 I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge (diakrino; distinguish between right or wrong) a dispute between believers? 6 But instead, one brother takes another to court—and this in front of unbelievers!

“to judge” represents the noun kriterion, which denotes “a tribunal, a law court,” and the meaning thus is “are ye unworthy of sitting upon tribunals of least importance?” (see RV marg.), i.e., to “judge” matters of smallest importance. Some would render it “cases,” but there is no clear instance elsewhere of this meaning.

Lord’s Table – Discernment

1 Corinthians 11:27-32 (Lord’s Supper)… 27 So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Everyone ought to examine (dokimazo: test) themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For those who eat and drink without discerning (diakrino) the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31 But if we were more discerning (judge ourselves: diakrino: discerning with regard to ourselves) with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment (krino: judgment by the Lord). 32 Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world (This kind of “judgment” is an act of compassion and protection, not condemnation).

It is used 22 times in the NT. Paul uses it in 1 Cor 3:13 when he talks about in the Day of Judgment the “fire will test the quality of each man’s work.” It is also the word used by the Apostle in giving the Corinthians the instructions for the Lord’s Supper “A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup (1 Cor 11:28). Discernment is the kind of judgment God directs believers to use. Believers Are Commanded to Exercise Spiritual Discernment and to Make Judgments

Jesus is the Passover lamb that was slain so that the wrath of God will be deflected

Lord’s table signifies peace an fellowship that we now enjoy in Christ Jesus with our Lord. In Old Testament times, one had to offer sin or guilt offering (sacrifices of expiation; born again), burnt or grain offering (consecration; baptism, life of holiness and separation) and only then could participate in the fellowship offering (Exodus 24).

Lords supper signifies peace and fellowship we have with God. When more than one kind of offering was presented (as in Nu 7:13–17), the procedure was usually as follows:

(1) sin offering or guilt offering,

(2) burnt offering,

(3) fellowship offering and grain offering (along with a drink offering).

This sequence furnishes part of the spiritual significance of the sacrificial system. First, sin had to be dealt with (sin offering or guilt offering). Second, the worshipers committed themselves completely to God (burnt offering and grain offering). Third, fellowship or communion between the Lord, the priest and the worshiper (fellowship offering) was established. To state it another way, there were sacrifices of expiation (sin offerings and guilt offerings), consecration (burnt offerings and grain offerings) and communion (fellowship offerings—these included vow offerings, thank offerings and freewill offerings).

“Dokimazo” (to test, to approve, to discern)

To test, to approve, to discern (Luke 14:19).

Luke 14:19… “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try (dokimazo; prove) them out. Please excuse me.’

To test or approve the will of God (Rom 12:2).

Romans 12:2… Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test (dokimazo) and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Our deeds will be tested

1 Corinthians 3:13… their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test (dokimazo: test) the quality of each person’s work.

Test (dokimazo: prove) every prophecies (1 Thessolonians 5:19-22)

1 Thessolonians 5:19-22… 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test (Dokimazo: prove) them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil

1 Corinthians 14:29… Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh (Diakrino: decide and discern) carefully what is said.

Test (dokimazo) every spirit (1 John 4:1)

1 John 4:1… Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test (dokimazo δοκιμάζω ) the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Example of Paul and Silas in Philippi

Acts 16 (Paul and Silas in Philippi)… 16 Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. 17 She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” 18 She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her.

The Case of Simon the Sorcerer

Acts 8:9-24 (Simon the Sorcerer)… 9 Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, 10 and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is rightly called the Great Power of God.” 18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money 19 and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 Peter answered: “May your money perish with you (to hell with you and your money), because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! 21 You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. 23 For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.” 24 Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”

Dangers – lack of discernment

A close friend and a man of God once recommended another bible teacher “he is a great teacher and has great insights into the word of God”. So I went to youtude and looked for his most famous teachings. For the first 15 mins what he taught, I was amazed and filled with awe at the depth and the accuracy of what was being taught. An then he dropped the bomb. He said “when God gave man the authority in the garden of Eden and said – Let them rule over the creatures if this earth” God relinquished/gave up His authority and gave it to man”. “God by doing that has cut himself off man”.

Faulty understanding about power and authority: God has delegated His authority to man and has not relinquished it
- Jesus has all authority (Mathew 28; Eph 1)
- Man did not give it to Jeusus.
- Jesus deligated it to His flock
- If we remain in the branch, we will bear fruit
Faulty understanding about prayer: It took me 15 years to get the definition of prayer right. Prayer is earthly license for heaven to intervene. In other words, God cannot do anything without the permission from man. God had to take permission from Abraham before burning Sodom and Gomorrah
Faulty understanding about Gospel: Jesus did not come to die, he came to give us the kingdom. Don’t preach the cross and the blood, no one wants to hear that. Give them the Kingdom and its benefits and they will come.
Faulty understanding about Jesus: Jesus is only the door and not the kingdom. You don’t go to the door and say “door, you are so beautiful, I love you door” “why don’t you get past the door and get in and enjoy the benefits. Jesus is only the door.
Faulty understanding about ourselves: Then he dropped the biggest bomb. We are Gods. We are sovereign in this world and God is not. God has the power but we have the authority.

Gullible spirit

Fear and Intimidation: Folks in the church scare the masses with words like – “Do not judge”, ‘Touch not the Lord’s anointed’, “You have a critical spirit if you do not join in”, etc, etc. This is the very reason why Christians are often the most gullible and easily deceived). So how do you avoid being deceived in this way? Very simply, you do not go along to these meetings in a “gullible” frame of mind.

Crowd mentality (peer pressure to conform): Uou do not allow yourself to be carried along with the crowd. You listen carefully to the preaching and make sure that it truly is Biblical. Then you watch the ministry happening down the front of the meeting and discern whether it really is of God or not. You do not “override” any feelings of unease or any ‘alarm bells’ going off inside you. And you do not allow yourself to be swayed by ‘peer pressure’. Even if the whole church is getting into something, it does not mean that you have to. If you do not feel quite “right” about it then DO NOT GET INVOLVED. If you need to, make some excuse and get out of there! You do not have to get involved in things that do not feel spiritually “right” to you.

Manifestation mania: Some people say that knowing Scripture is the only real key to discernment that we need. And yes – Scripture is very important – especially in exposing false doctrine. But it is not only doctrines or teachings that are the greatest danger today. It is just as likely to be false ‘anointing’ or spirits – perhaps even “lying signs and wonders”. And we may need more than just a good understanding of Scripture to spot these things. Remember, a lot of the people caught up in the “manifestations mania”. And yet they could still be deceived. So what are the things that can help us avoid deception in similar situations?

Running after Impartation: A lot of people today will go to the front to get something “imparted” to them by almost every visiting speaker – almost as a matter of course. I tell you, in today’s climate this can be a very dangerous thing to do. In fact, some of this ‘impartation’ business has very flimsy backing in Scripture. Who knows what on earth these preachers are imparting? And who knows where they picked it up? I tell you, deceiving spirits are commonplace today, and I believe they are being imparted to Christians on a large scale. If you have been touched or involved in any way with manifestations or experiences that you think may not have been from God, then I urge you to utterly RENOUNCE (with your mouth, but also from the depths of your very being in Jesus’ name) any links or involvement with that experience or ‘anointing’. Please do not put this off, my friends. Some of this stuff is extremely dangerous. RENOUNCE it today.

Discerning the source: The gift of discernment, is not about discerning the hearts of people but about discerning the source of something. When you are operating in the gift of discernment, you are recognizing where the driving force behind an action is coming from. Many times, the actual motivational force behind people’s actions and behavior is not clear. This is where the gift of discernment comes in.

Shepherds leading sheep on a road to destruction

1 Timothy 4:16… Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

How to Discern Real Prophecy from What “Simon Says”

Mathew 7:15-20 (True and False Prophets)… 15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

Mathew 7:21-23 (True and False Disciples)… 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

1 John 4:1… Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

2 Peter 2:1-3 (False Teachers and Their Destruction)… 2 But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. 3 In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.

Acts 17:11 (NIV) Now the Bereans were more noble than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

Some of the most basic keys to discernment are as follows:

Know your HOLY GOD intimately. (When you have seen His glory, His holiness and His love – by drawing close to Him in prayer – then you can usually see through any counterfeits because you know the “real thing” so well).
Know your Bible. It is very important to be able to spot teachings that are either extra-biblical or directly opposed to what the Scriptures teach. However, it is important to remember that the Scribes and Pharisees were extrememly learned in the Scriptures and yet they missed the very Messiah that was prophesied! So knowing the Bible is important – especially for doctrinal issues – but we need to be able to “discern the spirits” also.
Be a “lover of truth”. This is very crucial. Are you someone who will actually stand up for Truth – even against the crowd? Or do you remain silent even when you are convinced something is very wrong?
Purity of heart and Humility. Many deceptions only appeal to us because there is something inside us that “wants” to believe them. They are seductive because of darkness and wrong motives in our own lives. We must search our hearts and root these out.
The ‘inner witness’ of the Holy Spirit. We must learn to never over-ride this “still small voice”, as it will save us from deception again and again. (More on this below).

Did you know that even an unbeliever can often spot a con-man or a snake-oil salesman? They get a kind-of “gut feeling” about such things. And they are often right! In fact, they are often less gullible than the Christians! (Because we are told in the church- “Do not judge”, ‘Touch not the Lord’s anointed’, “You have a critical spirit if you do not join in”, etc, etc. This is the very reason why Christians are often the most gullible and easily deceived). We need to realize that the Bible says to “test the spirits” and warns very strongly that the Last Days will be a time of “seducing spirits” and great deception. So how can we become more alert to these things? I believe that God has placed within every human being at least a measure of an inner “warning system” to protect us from being easily deceived – just as He has given us all a conscience. It is something that He has built into every one of us, in His mercy. (I guess a lot of it is simply ‘common sense’).

However, Christians should have an even greater advantage in this area, because we have the “inner witness” of the Holy Spirit, and the ‘still small voice’ of the Lord speaking to us every day. But what I have found again and again with people who give themselves over to some form of deception is that they often “override” these inner alarms. They go against their ‘better judgment’. They ignore the little voice deep inside them that is telling them that there is something wrong. Christians today do this all the time. That is how they get themselves involved in such foolish deceptions.

This may all sound very obvious, but I am telling you, this one basic area alone could wipe out half the deception in the church right now. If only people would listen to these internal ‘alarm bells’ and act with common sense, half of it would be gone overnight.

The Bible is very clear that the Last Days are a time of such widespread deception that it would “deceive if possible the very elect”. It also shows that much of this deception will arise from WITHIN the church – luring believers who have “itching ears”. Do we see evidence of this kind of thing taking place today? Absolutely! In fact, some of it is at a level that is truly shocking. And yet it is all accepted as perfectly “normal” by many Christians.

One of the problems, of course, is that those who bring in these deceptions are ‘trusted’ by the congregation. They have a reputation and they put across some very convincing-sounding arguments and surround the whole thing with Biblical terminology. And thus the deception is harder to spot. (After all, if it were not “deceptive” then it would not be called ‘deception’!) People see spiritual power operating and assume that it “must be God”. But this is a very dangerous assumption to make in these days.

Our roles as watchmen in this generation

Ezekiel 3:16-19 (Ezekiel’s Task as Watchman)… 16 At the end of seven days the word of the Lord came to me: 17 “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. 18 When I say to a wicked person, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn them or speak out to dissuade them from their evil ways in order to save their life, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. 19 But if you do warn the wicked person and they do not turn from their wickedness or from their evil ways, they will die for their sin; but you will have saved yourself.

Discernment vs. Judgment – II (Command to Judge)

April 4, 2016

Posted by Pastor Viju Mathai under General, Sermons

No Comments

(Developing Character Series)

Issue: Discernment Vs. Critical Spirit, Faultfinding, Judgmental

End time deception: Watch out that no one deceives you (Mathew 24:4).

The church will face deception like never before from within and without:
Hypocrites, different gospel, different Jesus, False Messiah, False Prophets, False Apostles, False miracle workers
False apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.
Rebellious people, full of meaningless talk and deception,
Deception through fine sounding argument
People who are zealous to win you over, but for no good.
People will try to make us captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.
Ungodly people within the church, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.
False teachers will twist the word and secretly introduce destructive heresies,
In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories.
Stay focused: Satan will try to distract you to disqualify you, shipwreck your faith, distract you, and entice you.
Keep watch Or you will stumble and fall

Sometimes we do not know whether we are discerning or we are judging someone. Is it right to judge? Many claim it is not! Have you ever heard these phrases? — “You shouldn’t judge others” or “Judge not that you be not judged.” Still others are accused of being legalists or Pharisees if they dare speak out against the sin or worldliness of another Christian or Christian organization. Lying, stealing, cheating, adultery, murder, drunkenness and witchcraft are all sins which are easily definable from Scripture. Obedience may be difficult, but at least the concept of what the sins are is clear. But when it comes to the sin of judging and other sins of the tongue and mind it is much more difficult. We all know it is wrong to judge, but we don’t always know when we are judging.

If I disagree with another believer, am I judging him?
If I rebuke someone who is sinning am I judging him?
If I write a book review and criticize some aspect of the book am I judging?
If I point out failures of nationally known preachers or my pastor am I judging them?
If I disagree with the policies of a certain Christian organization and share them with others, am I judging that group of believers?
What if another believer’s doctrine is in error and a pastor preaches about that error from the pulpit has he judged that believer?
Should we separate ourselves from other believers because of doctrinal error or if we do are we judging?
Is my lack of support for the work of a particular Christian organization because of their doctrinal error judging from silence?

These are not easy questions to answer. Yet God does not leave us to grope around in the dark. The Bible gives some clear teachings on judging. Let’s examine them.

Two kinds of Judgment

Judgment that God condemns: Krino (James 4:11-12; slander; Matthew 7:1-2)
- Krino: to pronounce judgment or criticize someone’s action, or condemnation, sentence
  1. Wrong Motive: Flesh driven, Spiritual pride, Anger, hate filled, false humility, religiosity
  2. Setting: court room, judge, law, accuser, defendant and witness
  3. Sentencing with wrong motive and false presumptions, without giving the defendant a chance to defend, no witness, not upholding the law of love (James 2:8)
Judgment that God commends: Anakrino, Diakrino, Dokimazo
1. Anakrino: analyze, examine, investigate, ask questions, cross-examine, study, call to account
2. Diakrino: decide and discern, Distinguish right/wrong; good/bad
3. Dokimazo: test, examine, discern, prove, approve

“Krino”

Meaning: to pronounce judgment on someone’s action, condemn, sentence, criticize, to pass personal judgement

James 4:11-12… Brothers and sisters, do not slander (krino; speaks evil of your brother, bad mouth, trash talk, pass judgement; robbers, evildoers, adulterers) one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law (James 2:8; Law of Love; love your neighbor as yourself) and judges it. When you judge (krino) the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. 12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?

Psalms 141:3-5… 3. Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.

“Do not slander one another”: When we slander others, we ourself are the judge, the accuser and the witness. We are holding this pseudo court based on assumptions (self-righteousness, spiritual pride, false humility, religiosity) and weakness (Critical spirit, emotions or anger and not Law of Love). Only God who is the law giver, the just and the omnipresent, omniscient one can be all that in one person.

The Command Not to Judge

(Matt 7:1-2; Luke 6:37; John 7:24; Rom 2:1-5; 14:3-4, 10, 13; I Cor 4:3-5; Col 2:16; James 4:11; 5:9)

Matt 7:1-5… 1. “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you

Rom 14:13… Therefore let us stop passing judgment (krino) on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.

Why are we not to judge? Because only God’s judgment is always just and always correct. Discerning right and wrong and being judgmental is two different things. You can discern right and wrong without passing judgment (sentence) upon a person.

“Anakrino” – concluding on a matter

“anakrino” (Ana=up: Krino=to judge; analyze, examine, investigate, ask questions, cross-examine, evaluate, study, call to account; scrutinize carefully in order to make a judgment)

Investigate — evaluate — conclude

Investigate: To Analyze, investigate, scrutinize, question, study thoroughly, investigate in court, cross-examine

Acts 17:11… Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

Acts 28:18 (Paul in a roman court) … They examined me and wanted to release me, because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death.

Evaluate: Study the data

scrutinize carefully in order to make a judgment
your boss evaluates your job performance
Call to account: Ask one to explain, justify ones behavior, action, policy, performance …etc.
Call to account: to be forced to accept responsibility for something, to challenge or contest, to hold answerable for
He is judged by all: i.e., the light of the heart-searching testimony of the assembly probes the conscience of the unregenerate, sifting him judicially

1 Corinthians 14:24-25… But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment (anakrino: forced to accept responsibility for something; conscience is alive) by all, 25 as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”

Conclude: Reach a verdict, Examines/discerns and then judges the motives or the value of an action (guilty or not guilty verdict).

You see someone steal and deciding they shouldn’t do that (because you know right from wrong)
You carefully select fresh fruits and vegetables at the market
It is just like a jury weighing the evidence before them to reach a verdict of guilty or innocent
Forced to accept ones responsibility
Human spirit is never accurate – rely on the Holy Spirit. You need the help of the Holy Spirit to anakrino or discern ones motives and actions.

For too long now Christians have confused krino with anakrino. We have stopped speaking up about the sinful actions of others for fear of judging. When really, what we failed to understand is that there are different kinds of judging: two good kinds (anakrino and diakrino) and only one bad kind (krino).

As Christians, we are to evaluate what is right and wrong before God so we can help each other prune our lives to be Christ-like. Recognizing wrong and speaking up about it is okay–even expected. We must still be ready to forgive the wrong of others, because Christ forgives us to the same degree that we forgive others. This is the “judgment” (anakrino) that Paul is speaking of in I Cor. 5:3.

1 Corinthians 5:3 (Incest, sexually, immoral, greedy, idolater, slanderer, drunkard, swindler.)… For my part, even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. As one who is present with you in this way, I have already passed judgment (anakrino) in the name of our Lord Jesus on the one who has been doing this.

This is the basis of Excommunication in church.

1 Corinthians 5:12-13… What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked person from among you.”

The framework of operation is always Direct (not indirect), faith, hope and love

Anakinro without krino: We are to go to them in love like Paul did, letting them know what they are doing is wrong. We should show them in the Bible why it is wrong, but we must be careful to show them the love of Christ by forgiving them and loving them inspite of their shortcomings. Anakinro without krino.

Why Are Our Prayers And Ministry So Ineffective?

Consider our lack of discernment: Of the causes mentioned in Scripture of God, the world, the flesh, the devil; each Christian sect seems to focus on one and ignore the others.

Diseases are assumed to be demons and “rebuked” without discernment or effect.
Demons are assumed to be sickness, and “treatment” is attempted.
God’s discipline is attributed to Satan, and made light of.
The obvious promptings of the flesh are assumed to be the spirit, or even of the soul. The soul is confused with the flesh and spirit.

A mere matter of terminology, right? With such faulty diagnosis, we attempt “ministry”, to no effect, and often to great harm. Is this ministry? Is this us?

Counterproductive Ministry or Spiritual Malpractice

Discernment by outward appearances, out of ignorance, confusing cause and effect, symptom with problem, can be devastating–even with the best of intents.

2 Cor 10:7 (NIV) You are looking only at the surface of things.

Prov 19:2 (NIV) It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way.

1 Cor 4:5 (Phi) “The moral of this is that we should make no hasty or premature judgments.”

If we were willing to ask, willing to wait, willing to listen, we might gain discernment, so that we could “know”, and not have to waver. We might achieve real faith. We would see past the surface, into reality. Our prayers and ministry would be effective. We could know God’s will and see it done.

James 1:5 (NIV) If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given unto him.

Luke 12:57 (NIV) “Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right?”

Hosea 4:6 (NIV) My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.

How do we discern?

The danger of Enthusiasm without Discernment

There are two key words that we need to look at — knowledge & judgment. The Greek word translated knowledge is epignwsei (epignosis, ep-ig’-no-sis 1922) refers to “the knowledge that enables one to avoid error.” (Lexical Aids to The New Testament; Zodhiates Hebrew Greek Study Bible p.1690)

Judgment is the Greek word aisqhsei (aisthesis, ah’ee-sthay-sis, 144) discernment or spiritual perception.

So, what is this passage saying? Many times when people come to Christ they experience a new love that fills their lives and they should because they are indwelt by the Holy Spirit who fills them with God’s love and passion (Rom. 5:5). But often believers are naive and if this new trusting love is not tempered by knowledge pand judgment the believer is easily drawn into error and sin. That’s why Paul prays that these believers will allow their intensity and vibrancy to be guided by knowledge and judgment.

The Bible is a discerner (judge) of the thoughts and attitudes of the heart

Hebrew 4:12… For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

The Greek word for discerner/judge here is kritikos (κριτικός ) and is used only in Heb 4:12. It is the word from which we get the English word critique.
Correctly handle the word of truth or rightly divide the word of truth:
In order to exercise righteous judgment or biblical discernment we must know the Word of God. As believers become familiar with the Word of God they become better equipped to judge righteous judgment.

2 Timothy 2:15… Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles thep word of truth.

Discern all things with the help of the Holy Spirit. Human spirit is never accurate

The spiritual gift of discernment – gift of distinguishing between spirits (NIV) = “diakrisis (διάκρισις) from diakrino”

You need the help of the Holy Spirit to “anakrino” or discern ones motives and actions.

said of the exercise of a discerning “judgment” of all things as to their true value, by one who is spiritual; in the same verse, “is judged (of no man),
“examined,” i.e., the merely natural mind cannot estimate the motives of the spiritual

The ultimate judge of our motive and action is God alone

“I should be judged,” i.e., as to examining and passing sentence on the fulfillment or nonfulfillment of the Apostle’s stewardship; so in the same verse, “I judge (not mine own self),” and in 1 Cor 4:4 “(he that) judgeth (me is the Lord);

Discernment vs. Judgment -I (Krino – Do Not Judge)

April 4, 2016

Posted by Pastor Viju Mathai under General, Sermons

No Comments

(Developing Character Series)

Issue: Discernment Vs. Critical Spirit, Faultfinding, Judgmental

One gift that everyone in the church needs is the gift of Discernment to escape the end time deception.

End time deception: Watch out that no one deceives you (Mathew 24:4).

The church will face deception like never before from within and without:
Hypocrites, different gospel, different Jesus, False Messiah, False Prophets, False Apostles, False miracle workers
False apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.
Rebellious people, full of meaningless talk and deception,
Deception through fine sounding argument
People who are zealous to win you over, but for no good.
People will try to make us captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.
Ungodly people within the church, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.
False teachers will twist the word and secretly introduce destructive heresies,
In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories.
Stay focused: Satan will try to distract you to disqualify you, shipwreck your faith, distract you, and entice you.
Keep watch Or you will stumble and fall

Sometimes we do not know whether we are discerning or we are judging someone.

Is it right to judge? Many claim it is not! Have you ever heard these phrases? — “You shouldn’t judge others” or “Judge not that you be not judged.” Still others are accused of being legalists or Pharisees if they dare speak out against the sin or worldliness of another Christian or Christian organization.

In fact, Charles Swindoll in his book Grace Awakening, characterizes those who dare discern as “squint-eyed legalists spying out and attacking another’s liberty (p.94).

Lying, stealing, cheating, adultery, murder, drunkenness and witchcraft are all sins which are easily definable from Scripture. Obedience may be difficult, but at least the concept of what the sins are is clear. But when it comes to the sin of judging and other sins of the tongue and mind it is much more difficult. We all know it is wrong to judge, but we don’t always know when we are judging.

If I disagree with another believer, am I judging him?
If I rebuke someone who is sinning am I judging him?
If I write a book review and criticize some aspect of the book am I judging?
If I point out failures of nationally known preachers or my pastor am I judging them?
If I disagree with the policies of a certain Christian organization and share them with others, am I judging that group of believers?
What if another believer’s doctrine is in error and a pastor preaches about that error from the pulpit has he judged that believer?
Should we separate ourselves from other believers because of doctrinal error or if we do are we judging?
Is my lack of support for the work of a particular Christian organization because of their doctrinal error judging from silence?

These are not easy questions to answer. Yet God does not leave us to grope around in the dark. The Bible gives some clear teachings on judging. Let’s examine them.

The Biblical Words “Krino”

Meaning: to pronounce judgment on someone’s action, condemn, sentence, criticize

Krino is a term that matches God and not man at all
The setting is a court where there is a “judge”, “a defendant”, “an accuser” and at least “two witness”. The judges’s job is to uphold the law and judge based on the the law impartially.
A man makes “Krino or judgement” based on critical, judgmental, and self-righteousness, spiritual pride, angry, unforgiving spirit with a hope that the accused is condemned forever.
There is no place for faith, hope of love in this. Just a complete condemning of a soul.
Accusing someone and condemning them in their absence.
Example:- He or she is a Pharisee, bad man, hypocrite , thief, a deceiver, false believer, not a believer but a carnal man

To judge, pronounce judgment, to sentence, to condemn.

Literally means “to separate, select, choose”; hence to determine and to judge. It is used 111 times in the NT to assume the office of a judge, undergo a trial, give a sentence, condemn, to be involved in a law suit and even to form an opinion. It is often used in a negative sense to condemn or find fault with (James 4:11).

James 1:26 (topic: human anger)… Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.

Psalms 141:3-5… 3. Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. 4 Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds along with those who are evildoers; do not let me eat their delicacies. 5 Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness; let him rebuke me—that is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it, for my prayer will still be against the deeds of evildoers.

“Do not slander one another”: When we slander others, we ourself are the judge, the accuser and the witness. We are holding this pseudo court based on assumptions (self-righteousness, spiritual pride, false humility, religiosity) and weakness (Critical spirit, emotions or anger and not Law of Love).

Only God who is the law giver, the just and the omnipresent, omniscient one can be all that in one person.

Examples: condemn someone’s soul due to anger and unforgiveness: people declaring someone else deserves to suffer in hell for their sinful ways

As Christians, we are told to leave this type of judgment to Christ. Only He is worthy to condemn a person’s soul to hell, declaring their deeds as unforgivable. He tells us to love and pray for our enemies, not to condemn them. We are to “judge” (anakrino) their actions as wrong without “judging” (krino) them for it. This is where unforgiveness comes in. When we judge (krino) a person for wrong doing, we are unwilling to forgive them because we have “judged” (krino) their action as unforgiveable. This “krino” judging is what we are NOT to do as Christians.

The motive in correction: Does this mean parents are wrong to punish their children? Is a court judge wrong for passing sentence on to a criminal? Of course not. These judgments do not condemn a person’s soul, they only attempt to curb wrong actions from happening in the future. They are not done with a vengeance, but are meant to be done with the idea of helping shape that person to fit within society’s rules.

To pass personal judgment on someone’s actions, thus to judge or criticize

It is the primary word used by Jesus in commanding believers not to judge –

Matt 7:1-5… 1. “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

Pride-filled Criticism is the kind of judgment that God declares inappropriate.
Condemn not and you will not be condemned

I believe what is in focus here is the pride-filled criticism of a hypocrite who is critical of another person in order to make himself look good or justify sinful behavior or beliefs in his own life! He points out others faults when he has bigger faults of his own. This kind of judgment is wrong!

The Parable of the Pharisee and Publican illustrates this kind of judgment.

Those who criticize others to make themselves look good, to justify their own sin, to slander someone they dislike or to attract attention to themselves are engaging in unrighteous judgment which God condemns.

There is another aspect that comes into focus here as well. We cannot judge the heart or motives of any person. That is up to God.

Romans 2:16… This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

Note the Matthew 7 passage carefully. It is not a comprehensive injunction against any judgment, just against the wrong kind of judgment. In fact, Every believer has the obligation to test others by their fruits.

Matthew 7:15-20 (True and False Prophets)… 15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

Finally, two final quotes relating to Matthew 7:1-5. One author notes —

“Christ gives us the right to help others after we have straightened out our own lives. He did not say that it was wrong for you to help your brothers or sisters get rid of their sins; but He did say that first you should take care of your own sin. In other words, we should be as severe with ourselves as we are with others.”

Matthew Henry says this about this passage –

“We must judge ourselves, and judge of our own acts…We must not judge rashly, nor pass judgment upon our brother without any ground.”

The Command Not to Judge

(Matt 7:1-2; Luke 6:37; John 7:24; Rom 2:1-5; 14:3-4, 10, 13; I Cor 4:3-5; Col 2:16; James 4:11; 5:9)

Mat 7:1-2… “Do not judge (“krino”), or you too will be judged. {2} For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Luke 6:37… “Do not judge (krino), and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

John 7:24… Stop judging (krino) by mere appearances, and make a right judgment.”

Rom 2:1-5… You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment (krino) on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. {2} Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. {3} So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? {4} Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance? {5} But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.

Rom 14:3-4… The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn (krino) the man who does, for God has accepted him. {4} Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

Rom 14:10… You, then, why do you judge (krino) your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.

Rom 14:13… Therefore let us stop passing judgment (krino) on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.

Some of the reasons people get a critical spirit:

Prayerlessness. Prayer is sign of humility and dependence in God. When we stay in an attitude of prayer then our focus remains on Jesus and not on others. You cannot be a person of continual prayer and be critical at the same time. When we are a prayerful person then we continue to keep our heart open to the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit produces in us the fruit of the Spirit. (Gal. 5:22)
Carnality (walking in the flesh and not is the Spirit). Rather than drawing upon the Lord for strength and perspective, the critical person relies upon his or her own resources. Cynicism quenches the Spirit, directing us to walk by sight, not faith. As Spirit-filled Christians we will always, fundamentally, be people of hope (because of the great God we serve), while a fleshly person will be one of despair. Now that word comes off strong but what it really means is that a person is living for themselves rather than surrendered to living for Jesus. People who are living for themselves are always at odds with people who are living for Jesus. The flesh has always warred with the Spirit.
- Romans 8:7… The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.
Familiarity. This is what happens when a person either believes or has been taught that people called to ministry or other positions with the church are somehow above failure or struggles. When this is believed and then they get to know the human side of the leader, they become “familiar” with them and find out that they put their pants on the same as everyone else. This disappointment leads to becoming critical because they expected something else.
Spiritual Pride and Judgmentalism (Spiritual Stronghold). This happens a lot in churches and in the hearts of people that have a performance mentality. It is another side of legalism. If people think that they are performing up to standard, then those that don’t seem to be meeting their standard are looked down upon. This especially has happened in times past with Pentecostals and Charismatics who got spiritually prideful over the receiving gifts of grace called spiritual gifts. Discerning right and wrong and being judgmental is two different things. You can discern right and wrong without passing judgment (sentence) upon a person. You cannot think more highly of yourself than you ought without having a low self-esteem. Thinking you are superior will cause you to be critical.
Faulty understanding of God’s abounding grace. A critical person has experienced little grace. It is far easier to see others’ sins than our own.
Ingratitude towards blessings of God. When a person forgets or can’t see the blessings of God in their life then they become critical. They have lost the joy of living and the joy of their salvation. The Bible teaches us that when we pray, we are to also be thankful. (Phil 4:6) It also teaches us to give thanks in everything. (1 Thess. 5:18) When we are thankful for everything and grateful to God for all the blessings He has given us, then that means we are also grateful for the people that are put in our lives. How can you be grateful to God for those people and critical of them at the same time?
Very low self-esteem. When you meet people who are constantly critical, you can be pretty sure that they feel rotten about themselves. They see themselves as unattractive, failing, or in some manner unworthy. Pointing out others’ weaknesses works as an anodyne to keep people from seeing and feeling their own pain.

How to overcome a faultfinding and critical spirit:

What is the antidote to a critical spirit? Below ae something that it definitely is not.

The answer does not lie in – never analyze things?
Always to go happy-go lucky?
Repressing all warning signs Holy Spirit is showing?
Defending someone even when you know something is not right?
Act very humble and end up being a hypocrite?
Acting that everything is chirpy and happy when they are not?

No, this won’t do. Exchanging dull gray sunglasses for rose-tinted glasses is no solution. Fake smiles, repressed anger and a lot of spiritual “praise-the-Lords” don’t build God’s kingdom. Sin needs to be confronted and rebuked—in ourselves, yes, but also in others.

Accept & Repent: If you know you are guilty of this sin then repent. The first thing you need to do is agree with God about what He thinks of this. You have been agreeing with yourself way too much and you need to agree with God about this. God calls it sin. So call it sin and ask God to forgive you and turn away from following this path anymore.
Remind yourself of the grace that God has shown you. We simply must have our spiritual eyes opened to see two truths: the heinous depth of our own sin, and the amazing grace of God’s love toward us in Christ. Instead of focusing on the lack in the lives of others, remind yourself of the lack that is in your own life and how God has graciously dealt with you rather than finding fault with you. Spiritual sight here is not something we can will. God must give it. But we can cry out to him for it. “Lord God, would you open my eyes to see myself soberly? And then to know your love more intimately?” We desperately need the existential feel of our own sin and God’s grace. No mere head knowledge, here. “Wash your hands, you sinners, and let there be tears for the wrong things you have done. Let there be sorrow and sincere grief . . .” (James 4:8–9). When King David’s blind eyes were finally opened to his sin with Bathsheba and Uriah, he didn’t merely acknowledge it in some academic, emotionally removed way; he fell on his face, wailed, and fasted for three days! I never, ever will forget how I felt those first few months after I married my wife, Anitha. Believing, knowing, experiencing her love for me, even as she was getting to know my weaknesses and sins, was overwhelming, Yes, I still noticed others’ shortcomings, but this awareness no longer consumed me, for—oh, happy day!—I was loved. Experiencing grace motivated me to extend grace.
Pray: when we’re bothered by another’s actions, we must pray—for both the person and our response to them. Instantly and fervently. What would happen if we channeled all our critical energy into a running dialog with that person’s (and our) Creator?
Read the Word: washing of water which is the word of God
Fight this Spiritual Stronghold (submit to God and resist the devil): If you believe you have been demonically influenced then start engaging in spiritual warfare. The Bible teaches that it is through prayer and fasting that demonic power is overcome. (Matt. 17:21) Start spending more time in prayer. Spend some time fasting. Get your Christian friends and leaders to agree with you in prayer that this demonic stronghold will be defeated in you.
Walk in the Spirit. Instead of focusing on the lives of others, make your focus to stay filled with the Holy Spirit throughout your day. The fruits of the Spirit and birthed by the Holy Spirit in you. Keep your focus on staying filled with His Spirit and you won’t have time to look for the faults of others.
Be Diplomatic: we must learn to be diplomatic and direct in confronting people one-on-one. No fake smiles where we try to call darkness ‘light.’ No repression of negative feelings, but instead, direct, tactful communication. The goal here is not to blast people or tell all of their hidden character flaws; the goal is God’s glory and the reconciliation of broken relationships.
Be an encourager: we need to be encouragers, genuinely upbuilding others and helping them become all that they can become, all that God longs for them to become. I want to get excited about making others successful! I can be an encourager in others’ lives like Barnabas was to Paul, and trust God to provide encouragement for me as well. I have watched people melt at a rightly-timed, genuinely motivated word of affirmation and gratitude. And I know how empowered I feel when I’m around a genuine encourager. Instead of seeing only the downside of the people around us, let’s pray for the ability to see what God is doing in others’ lives, and then add our own two cents in furthering along his good work.

Spiritual Gifts for Believers

February 8, 2016

Posted by Pastor Viju Mathai under Bible Study, Holy Spirit

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1Co 12:7 “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.”

GENERAL PERSPECTIVE The Holy Spirit is manifested through a variety of spiritual gifts given to believers (1Co 12:7). These manifestations of the Spirit are intended for the upbuilding and sanctification of the church (1Co 12:7). These spiritual gifts are not the same as the gifts and ministries mentioned in Ro 12:6-8 and Eph 4:11, whereby a believer receives the power and ability to minister in a more permanent manner in the church. The list in 1Co 12:8-10 is not necessarily exhaustive, and the gifts may occur in various combinations.

The manifestations of the Spirit are given according to the Spirit’s will (1 Cor 12:11) when need arises and according to the believer’s eager desire (12:31; 14:1).
Some gifts may be manifested through an individual on a regular basis, and a believer may have more than one gift to minister to particular needs. The believer ought to desire “gifts,” not just one gift (1Cor 12:31; 14:1).
It is unscriptural and unwise to assume that because someone exercises a spectacular gift, that person is more spiritual than one who has less spectacular gifts. Furthermore, possessing a gift does not mean that God approves of all a person does or teaches. Spiritual gifts must not be confused with the fruit of the Spirit, which relates more directly to Christian character and sanctification (Gal 5:22-23).
The Spirit’s manifestation through gifts may be counterfeited by Satan or false workers disguising themselves as servants of Christ (Mt 7:21-23:24:11,24; 2Co 11:13-15; 2Th 2:8-10). The believer must not believe every spiritual manifestation, but ought to “test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world”

INDIVIDUAL GIFTS. In 1Cor 12:8-10, Paul lists a variety of gifts that the Holy Spirit gives to believers. Though he does not define their characteristics here, we can glean from other passages of Scripture what they might be.

Message of wisdom. This is a wise utterance spoken through the operation of the Holy Spirit. It applies the revelation of God’s Word or the Holy Spirit’s wisdom to a specific situation or problem (Ac 6:10; 15:13-22). It is not, however, the same as having the wisdom of God for daily living. The latter is obtained by diligent study and meditation on God’s ways and Word, and by prayer (James 1:5-6)
Message of knowledge. This is an utterance inspired by the Holy Spirit that reveals knowledge about people, circumstances or Biblical truth. It is often connected closely with prophecy (Ac 5:1-10; 10:47-48; 15:7-11; 1Cor 14:24-25).
Faith. This is not saving faith, but a special supernatural faith imparted by the Holy Spirit that enables the Christian to believe God for the extraordinary and miraculous. It is a faith that moves mountains (1Co 13:2) and is often found in combination with other manifestations such as healings and miracles
Gifts of healing. These gifts are given to the church to restore physical health by supernatural means (Mt 4:23-25; 10:1; Ac 3:6-8; 4:30). The plural (“gifts”) indicate healing of various illnesses and suggests that every act of healing is a special gift of God. Although gifts of healing are not given to every member of the body in a special way (1Cor 12:11,30), all members may pray for the sick. When faith is present, the sick will be healed. Healing may also come as a result of obedience to the instructions of James 5:14-16
Miraculous powers. These are deeds of supernatural power that alter the normal course of nature. They include divine acts in which God’s kingdom is manifested against Satan and evil spirits.
Prophecy. We must distinguish between prophecy as a temporary manifestation of the Spirit (1Cor 12:10) and prophecy as a ministry gift of the church (Eph 4:11). As a ministry gift, prophecy is given only to some believers, who must then function as prophets within the church. As a spiritual manifestation, prophecy is potentially available to every Spirit-filled Christian (Ac 2:17-18). Concerning prophecy as a spiritual manifestation:
- Prophecy is a special gift that enables a believer to bring a word or revelation directly from God under the impulse of the Holy Spirit (1Cor 14:24-25,29-31). It is not the delivery of a previously prepared sermon,
- In both the OT and the NT, prophecy is not primarily foretelling the future, but proclaiming God’s will and exhorting and encouraging God’s people to righteousness, faithfulness and endurance.
- The message may expose the condition of a person’s heart (14:25) or offer strengthening, encouragement, comfort, warning and judgment (14:3,25-26,31).
- The church may not receive such prophecy as an infallible message, for many false prophets will enter the church (1Jn 4:1). Therefore, all prophecy must be tested for genuineness and truth (1Cor 14:29,32; 1Th 5:20-21) by asking whether it conforms to God’s Word (1Jn 4:1), whether it promotes godly living (1Ti 6:3), and whether it is uttered by one who is sincerely living under Christ’s lordship (1Co 12:3).
- Prophecy operates under God’s will and not the will of humans. The NT never indicates that the church actively sought revelation or direction from those claiming to be prophets. Prophecy was given to the church only when God initiated the message (1Cor 12:11; 2Pe 1:21).
Distinguishing between spirits. This gift is a special Spirit-given ability to properly discern and judge prophecies and to distinguish whether or not an utterance is from the Holy Spirit (1Cor 14:29). Toward the end of the age when false teachers (Mt 24:5) and distortion of Biblical Christianity will greatly increase (1Ti 4:1), this gift will be extremely important for the church.
Speaking in different kinds of tongues. Concerning “tongues” (Gk glossa, meaning language) as a supernatural manifestation of the Spirit, the following must be noted:
- Tongues may be an existing spoken language (Ac 2:4-6) or a language unknown on earth, e.g., “tongues . . of angels” (1Cor 13:1). Such speech has not been learned and is often unintelligible both to the speaker (14:14) and to the bearers (14:16).
- Speaking in tongues involves the human spirit and the Spirit of God intermingling so that the believer communicates directly to God (i.e., in prayer, praise, blessing or thanksgiving), giving expression or utterance at the level of one’s spirit rather than the mind (1Cor 14:2,14) and praying for oneself or others under the direct influence of the Holy Spirit apart from the activity of the mind (1Cor 14:2,4,15,28; Jude 20).
- Tongues in the congregation must be accompanied by a Spirit-given interpretation that communicates the content and meaning of the utterance to the community of believers (1Cor 14:3,27-28). It may contain a revelation, knowledge, prophecy or teaching for the assembly (1Co 14:6).
- Speaking in tongues within the congregation must be regulated. The speaker may never be “in ecstasy” or “out of control” (1Co 14:27-28).
Interpretation of tongues. This is the Spirit-given ability to understand and communicate the meaning of an utterance spoken in tongues. When interpreted for the congregation, tongues function either as a directive to worship and prayer or as prophecy. The body of believers can then participate in this Spirit-inspired revelation. Interpreted tongues can thus be a means of edification as the whole congregation responds to the utterance (14:6,13). The gift may be given to the one who speaks in tongues or to someone else. Those who speak in tongues should pray also for the gift of interpretation (1Cor 14:13).

Ministry gifts of the church

February 8, 2016

Posted by Pastor Viju Mathai under Bible Study, Holy Spirit

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Ephesians 4:ll “It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers.”

THE GIVER Eph 4:11 lists the ministry gifts (i,e., gifted spiritual leaders) Christ gave to the church. Paul states that Christ gave these gifts (1) for preparing God’s people for works of service (4:12) and (2) for the spiritual growth of the body of Christ as God intended

APOSTLES The title “apostle” is applied to certain NT leaders. The verb apostello mean to send someone on a special mission as a messenger and personal representative of the one who sends him. The title is used of Christ (Heb 3:1), the 12 disciples (Mt 10:2), Paul (Ro 1:1; 2Co 1:1; Gal 1:1) and others (Ac 14:4,14; Ro 16:7; Gal 1:19; 2:8-9; 1Th 2:6’1)

The term “apostle” was used in the NT in a general sense for a commissioned representative of a church, such as the first Christian missionaries. Therefore, in the NT “apostle” referred to any messenger appointed and sent as a missionary or for some other special responsibility (see Ac 14:4,14; Ro 16:7; 2Co 8:23; Php 2:25). They were men who manifested extraordinary spiritual leadership, were anointed with power to confront directly the powers of darkness and to confirm the gospel with miracles, and were dedicated to establishing churches according to apostolic truth and purity. These itinerant servants risked their lives for the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and the advancement of the gospel (Ac 11:21-26; 13:50; 14:19-22; 15:25-26). They were Spirit-filled men of faith and prayer (Ac 11:23-25; 13:2-5; 46-52; 14:1-7,21-23).
Apostles in this general sense remain essential to God’s purpose in the church. If churches cease to send out Spirit-filled persons, then the spread of the gospel into the world will be hindered. On the other hand, as long as the church produces and sends such people, it will fulfill its missionary task and remain faithful to the Lord’s great Commission (Mt 28:18-20).
The term “apostle” is also used in a special sense to refer to those who saw Jesus after his resurrection and were personally commissioned by the resurrected Lord to preach the gospel and establish the church (e.g„ the twelve disciples and Paul). They possessed a unique authority within the church that related to divine revelation and the original gospel message that can no longer exist in anyone today. Thus, the office of apostle in this specialized sense is unique and unrepeatable. The original apostles can have no successors.
A primary task of the NT apostles was to establish churches and to ensure that they were founded on, or restored to, sincere devotion to Christ and the NT faith ( Jn 21:15-17; 1Co 12:28; 2Co 11:2-3; Eph 4:11-13; Php 1:17). This task involved two main burdens: (a) an urgent God-given desire to maintain the church’s purity and its separation from sin and the world (1Co 5:1-5; 2Co 6:14-18; Jas 2:14-26; 1Pe 2:11; 1Jn 2:1,15-17; 3:3-10) and (b) a continuing burden to proclaim the NT gospel and to defend it against heresy, new theological trends and false teachers.
Although the first apostles who laid the church’s foundation have no successors, the church today is still dependent on their words, message and faith. The church must obey and remain faithful to their original writings. To reject the inspired revelation of the apostles is to cease being a church according to the Biblical pattern and to the Lord himself (Jn 16:13-15; 1Co 14:36-38; Gal 1:9-11). On the other hand, to believe the apostolic message, obey it and guard it against all distortion is to remain true to the Holy Spirit (Ac 20:28, 2Ti 1:14) and to guarantee God’s continued life, blessing and presence within the church

PROPHETS Prophets were believers who spoke under the direct impulse of the Holy Spirit in the name of God and whose main concern was the spiritual life and purity of the church. Under the new covenant they were raised up and empowered by the Holy Spirit to bring a message from God to his people (Ac 2:17; 4:8; 21:4).

OT prophets are foundational for understanding the prophetic ministry in the early church. Their primary task was to speak a word of God by the Spirit in order to encourage God’s people to remain faithful to their covenant relationship. They also, at times, predicted the future as the Spirit revealed it to them. Christ and the apostles serve as examples of the OT ideal (Ac 3:22-23; 13:1-2).
Prophets functioned within the NT church in the following ways: (a) They were Spirit-filled proclaimers and interpreters of the Word of God, called by God to warn, exhort, comfort and edify (Ac 2:14-36; 3:12-26; 1Co 12:10; 14:3). (b) They were to exercise the gift of prophecy. (c) They were at times seers (1Ch 29:29) who foretold the future (Ac 11:28; 21:10-11). (d) Like the OT prophets, the NT prophets were called to expose sin, proclaim righteousness, warn of judgment to come, and combat worldliness and lukewarmness among God’s people (Lk 1:14-17). Because of their message of righteousness, prophets and their ministry can expect rejection by many in the churches during times of lukewarmness and apostasy.
The prophet’s character, burden, desire and ability include: (a) a zeal for church purity (Jn 17:15-17; 1Co 6:9-11; Gal 5:22-25); (b) a deep sensitivity to evil and the capacity to identify and hate unrighteousness (Ro 12:9; Heb 1:9); (c) a keen understanding of the danger of false teachings (Mt 7:15; 24:11,24; Gal 1:9; 2Co 11:12-15); (d) an inherent dependence on God’s Word to validate the prophet’s message (Lk 4:17-19; 1Co 15:3-4; 2Ti 3:16); (e) a concern for the spiritual success of God’s kingdom and a sharing in God’s feelings (Mt 21:11-13; 23:37; Lk 13:34; Jn 2:14-17; Ac 20:27-31).
The prophets’ messages are not to be regarded as infallible. Their messages are subject to the evaluation of the church, other prophets and God’s Word. The congregation is required to discern and test whether their witness is from God (1Co 14:29-33; 1 Jn 4:1).
Prophets continue to be essential to God’s purpose for the church. A church that rejects God’s prophets will be a declining church, drifting toward worldliness and the compromise of Biblical truth (1Co 14:3; cf. Mt 23:31-38; Lk 11:49; Ac 7:51-52). If prophets are not allowed to bring words of rebuke and warning, words prompted by the Spirit, words exposing sin and unrighteousness (Jn 16:8-11), then the church will become a place where the voice of the Spirit can no longer be heard. Ecclesiastical politics and worldly power will replace the Spirit (2Ti 3:1-9; 4:3-5; 2Pe 2:1-3,12-22). On the other hand, if the church, with its leaders, hears the voice of the prophets, it will be moved to renewed life and fellowship with Christ, sin will be forsaken, and the Spirit’s presence will be evident among the faithful (1Co 14:3; 1Th 5:19-21; Rev 3:20-22).

EVANGELISTS In the NT, evangelists were men of God who were gifted and commissioned by God to proclaim the gospel (i.e„ good news) of salvation to the unsaved and to help establish a new work in a city. When proclaimed the gospel always carries with it the offer and power of salvation (Ro 1:16-17).

The ministry of Philip “the evangelist” (Ac 21:8) gives a clear picture of the work of an evangelist according to the NT pattern, (a) Philip preached the gospel of Christ (Ac 8:4-5,35). (b) Many were saved and baptized with water (Ac 8:6,12). (c) Signs, miracles, healings and deliverance from evil spirits accompanied his preaching (Ac 8:6-7,13). (d) He wanted new converts to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ac 8:12-17; cf. 2:38; 19:1-6).
The evangelist is essential to God’s purpose for the church. The church that fails to support the ministry of the evangelist will cease to gain converts as God desires. It will become a static church, devoid of growth and missionary outreach. The church that values the spiritual gift of the evangelist and maintains an earnest love for the lost will proclaim the message of salvation with convicting and saving power (Ac 2:14-41).

PASTORS Pastors are those who oversee and care for the spiritual needs of a local congregation. They are also called “elders” (Ac 20:17; Tit 1:5) and “overseers” (1Ti 3:1; Tit 1:7).

The task of pastors is to proclaim sound doctrine, refute: heresy (Tit 1:9-11), teach God’s Word and exercise leadership in the local church (1Th 5:12; 1Ti 3:1-5); be an example of purity and sound doctrine (Tit 2:7-8); and see to it that all believers remain in divine grace (Heb 12:15; 13:17; 1Pe 5:2).-Their task is described in Ac 20:28-31 as safeguarding apostolic truth and God’s flock by watching out for false doctrine and false teachers within the church. Pastors function as shepherds of which Jesus as the good Shepherd is a model (Jn 10:11-16; 1Pe 2:25; 5:2-4).
The NT pattern shows a plurality of pastors directing the spiritual life of a local church (Ac 20:28; Php 1:1). Pastors were chosen, not through politics, but through the Spirit’s wisdom given to the body as it examined the candidate’s spiritual qualifications.
Pastors are essential to God’s purpose for his church. The church that fails to select godly and faithful pastors will cease to be governed according to the mind of the Spirit (see 1Ti 3:1-7). It will be a church left open to the destructive forces of Satan and the world (see Ac 20:28-31). The preaching of the Word will be distorted and the standards of the gospel lost (2Ti 1:13-14). Members and families of the church will not be cared for according to God’s purpose (1Ti 4:6,12-16; 6:20-21). Many will turn away from the truth and turn aside to myths (2Ti 4:4). On the other hand, if godly pastors are appointed, believers will be nourished on the words of faith and sound doctrine and disciplined for the purpose of godliness (1Ti 4:6-7). The church will be taught to persevere in the teaching of Christ and the apostles and thus ensure salvation for itself and those who hear (1Ti 4:16; 2Ti 2:2).

TEACHERS Teachers are those who have a special, God-given gift to clarify, expound and proclaim God’s Word in order to build up the body of Christ (Eph 4:12).

The special task of teachers is to guard, by the Holy Spirit’s help, the gospel entrusted to them (2Ti 1:11-14). They are faithfully to point the church to Biblical revelation and to the original message of Christ and the apostles, and to persevere in this task.
The principal purpose of Biblical teaching is to preserve truth and to produce holiness by leading Christ’s body into an uncompromising commitment to the godly lifestyle set forth in God’s Word. Scripture states that the goal of Christian instruction is “love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith” (1Ti 1:5). Thus, the evidence of Christian learning is not just in what one knows, but how one lives— i.e., the manifestation of love, purity, faith and godliness.
Teachers are essential to God’s purpose for his church. The church that rejects or refuses to hear those teachers and theologians who remain faithful to Scriptural revelation will stop being concerned about the genuineness of the Biblical message and the correct interpretation of the original teaching of Christ and the apostles. The church in which such teachers and theologians remain silent will not continue steadfast in the truth. New winds of doctrine will be uncritically accepted, and religious experience and human ideas, rather than revealed truth, will be the ultimate guide to the church’s doctrine, standards and practices. On the other hand, the church that listens to godly teachers and theologians will have its teachings and practices measured by the fundamental testimony of the gospel, its false ideas exposed and the purity of Christ’s original message handed down to its children. God’s inspired Word will become the test of all teaching, and the church will be reminded that the Spirit’s inspired Word is ultimate truth and authority, and as such, stands over the churches and their institutions.

Grace Gifts of the Holy Spirit

February 8, 2016

Posted by Pastor Viju Mathai under Bible Study, Holy Spirit

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Romans 12:6-8:- We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

Paul lists what can be called the grace gifts. They are inward desires or dispositions as well as enablements or abilities given by the Holy Spirit to individuals in the congregation to build up God’s people and express God’s love to others. Every believer has at least one such gift. However, one’s primary gift does not exclude the exercise of any other of the gifts as need may arise. Paul’s list of seven grace gifts should be taken as representative rather than exhaustive. A sober use of the gifts that God has given us. As we must not on the one hand be proud of our talents, so on the other hand we must not bury them. We must not say, “I am nothing, therefore I will sit still, and do nothing”; but, “I am nothing in myself, .and therefore I will extent myself to the utmost in the strength of the grace of Christ.” We have gifts, let us use them. We have different gifts. The immediate purpose is different, though the ultimate tendency of all is the same. According to the grace. It is grace that appoints the office, qualifies and inclines the person. Seven particular gifts he specifies (v. 6-8), which seem to be meant of so many distinct offices. There are two general ones here expressed by prophesying and ministering, the former the work of the elders, the latter the work of the deacons. The five latter will therefore be reduced to the two former.

Prophecy If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his It is not meant of the extraordinary gifts of foretelling things to come, but the ordinary office of preaching the word. The work of the Old Testament prophets was not only to foretell future things, but to warn the people concerning sin and duty. And thus gospel preachers are prophets. Those who preach the word must do it in proportion to their faith, [1] As to the manner of our prophesying, it must be according to the proportion of the grace of faith. Let him who preaches set all the faith he has at work, to impress the truths he preaches on his own heart in the first place. As people cannot hear well, so ministers cannot preach well, without faith. And we must remember the proportion of faith—that, though not all men have faith, yet a great many have besides ourselves. “Do you have faith? Have it to yourself; and do not make it a rule by which to judge others, remembering that you have but your proportion.” [2] As to the matter of our prophesying, it must be according to the proportion of the doctrine of faith. There are some staple-truths, as we may call them, plainly and uniformly taught in the Scripture, which are the touch-stone of preaching, by which we must test everything, and then hold on to the good, I Thess.5.20,21. Truths that are darker, must be examined by those that are more clear, for it is certain one truth can never contradict another. See here what ought to be the great care of preachers—to preach sound doctrine. It is necessary that it be according to the proportion of faith: for it is the word of faith that we preach. Now there are two particular works, which he who prophesies has to mind—teaching and encouraging. First, If a man’s gift is teaching, let him teach. Teaching is the bare explaining and proving of gospel truths, without practical application. Now he who has a faculty of teaching, and has undertaken that province, let him stick to it. It is a good gift, let him use it, and give his mind to it. Secondly, If it is encouraging, let him encourage. Let him give himself to that. This is the work of the pastor, to apply gospel truths and rules more closely to the people, and to impress on them, that which is more practical. Many who are very accurate in teaching may yet be very cold and unskillful in encouraging; and vice versa. The one requires a clearer head, the other a warmer heart. We should bestow the best of our time and thoughts on our work, and seek not only to do it, but also, to do it well.
Serving If a man has the office of a deacon let him use that office well. It includes all those offices, which concern the outward business of the house of God. Serving Acts 6. 2. Now let him on whom this care of ministering is devolved attend to it with faithfulness and diligence. [1] If it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously. Those church-officers who were the stewards of the church’s alms. Let them do it liberally and faithfully, with all sincerity and integrity, having no other intention in it than to glorify God and do good. He who has the means, let him give, and give plentifully and liberally. God loves a cheerful bountiful giver. [2] If it is leadership, let him govern diligently. It should seem, he means those who were assistants to the pastors in exercising church discipline. Now such must do it with diligence. The word denotes both care and industry to discover what is amiss to keep the church pure. [3] If it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. Some think it is meant in general of all who in anything show mercy; Let them be willing to do it, and take a pleasure in it. But it seems to be meant of some particular church officers, whose work it was to take care of the sick and strangers. Now this must be done with cheerfulness. A pleasing countenance in acts of mercy is a great relief and comfort to the miserable; when they see it is not done grudgingly and unwillingly, but with pleasant looks and gentle words. Those who have to do with such as are sick and sore, and commonly cross and peevish, have need to put on not only patience, but cheerfulness.

Testing for genuine baptism in the Spirit

February 8, 2016

Posted by Pastor Viju Mathai under Bible Study, Holy Spirit

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Act 10: 44-45 “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles.”

Scripture declares that believers must test and weigh all things alleging to be from the Holy Spirit (1Th 5319-21; 1Co 14:29). “Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God” (1Jn 4:1). The following are Biblical principles by which to test whether a professed baptism in the Holy Spirit is from God.

A genuine baptism in the Holy Spirit will give us a greater desire and power to witness concerning the saving work of the Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 4:18; Ac 1:4-8; 2:1-4; 37-42; 4:8-33; Ro 9:1-3; 10:1). Conversely, any assumed baptism in the Spirit that does not result in a more intense desire to see others enter into a saving relationship with Christ is not from God.
A genuine baptism in the Holy Spirit must be preceded by our turning from sin and faithfully obeying Christ (Ac 2:38; 8:15-24); it will be sustained only as long as we continue to be sanctified by the Spirit (Ac 2:40; 3:26; 5:29-32; 8:21; 26:18; Gal 5:16-25), to “put to death the misdeeds of the body,” and to be “led by the Spirit of God”(Ro 8:13-14; cf. Gal 5:24-25). Conversely, any assumed baptism in the Spirit that rests on one who is not set free from sin and who lives according to the sinful nature cannot be ascribed to the Holy Spirit as its source (Ac 2:38-40; 8:18-23; Ro 6:22-23; 8:2-15); any power on that person is from another source, the deceptive activity of Satan (Ps 5:4-5; 2Co 11:13-15; 2Th 2:9-110).
A genuine baptism in the Holy Spirit will cause a greater love for and appreciation of Scripture. The Spirit of truth (John 14:17), who inspired the Scriptures (2Ti 3:16; 2Pe 1:20-21), will deepen our love for the truth of God’s Word (John 16:13; Ac 2:42; 3:22; 1John 4:6). Conversely, any assumed baptism in the Spirit that diminishes our hunger to read God’s Word is not from God (John 8:31; 15:4-7).
A genuine baptism in the Holy Spirit will cause us to love, magnify and glorify God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ more than before (John 16:13-14; Ac 2:11,36; 4:12; 7:55-56; 10:44-46). It is the Holy Spirit who causes love for God to grow in our hearts (Ro 5:5). Conversely, any assumed baptism in the Spirit that draws our prayers, worship and adoration toward anything or anyone other than God and the Lord Jesus is not from God.
A genuine baptism in the Holy Spirit will increase the consciousness of our relationship with the heavenly Father (Ac 1:4; Ro 8:15-16), will lead to a greater awareness of Christ’s presence in our daily lives (John 14:16,23; 15:26) and will increase the heartfelt cry of “Abba, Father” (Ro 8:15; Gal 4:6). Conversely, any assumed baptism in the Spirit that does not result in a greater fellowship with Christ and more intense communion with God as our Father is not from God.
A genuine baptism in the Holy Spirit will deepen our love and concern for other followers of Christ (Ac 2:42-47:4:31-37). Christian fellowship and communion can take place only in the Spirit (2Co 13:14). Conversely, any assumed baptism in the Spirit that decreases our love for all who seek to sincerely follow Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is not from God (compare Ro 5:5 with 1John 4:21).
A genuine baptism in the Holy Spirit will intensify our displeasure with the sinful enjoyments and godless pleasures of the world and will diminish the selfish pursuit of earthly riches and reputation (Ac 4:32-37; 8:14-24; 20:33; 1Jn 2:15-17). Conversely any assumed baptism in the Spirit that increases one’s acceptance of the world’s ways and philosophies is not from God, for “we have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God” (1Co 2:12).
A genuine baptism in the Holy Spirit will cause us to be more receptive to the Spirit’s operation within God’s kingdom and his gifts within our personal lives, particularly the gift of speaking in tongues, which is presented in Acts as the initial outward sign of the baptism in the Holy Spirit (Ac 2:4,16-18,43; 4:29-30; 5:12-16; 6:8; 8:5-7; 10:38, 44-46; 1Co 12-14; Gal 3:5). Conversely, any assumed baptism in the Spirit that does not result in the manifestations of the Spirit in our lives is an obvious departure from the experience of NT believers and the norm presented in the book of Acts (Ac 2:4,18; 10:45-46; 19:6).
A genuine baptism in the Holy Spirit will cause us to be more conscious of the work, guidance and presence of the Spirit in our daily lives. After receiving the fullness of the Spirit, NT believers were continually conscious of the Spirit’s presence, power and guidance (Ac 2:4,16-18; 4:31; 6:5; 9:31; 10:19; 13:2,4,52; 15:28; 16:6-7; 20:23). Conversely, any assumed baptism in the Spirit that does not increase our awareness of the Spirit’s presence, strengthen our desire to obey his leadings, and reinforce our goal to live before him in such a way as not to grieve him or put out his fire (Eph 4:30; 1Th 5:19) is not from God.

The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit

February 8, 2016

Posted by Pastor Viju Mathai under Bible Study, Holy Spirit

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Acts 5:3-4 “Then Peter said, ‘Ananias, how is it that Satan so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God.”

It is essential that believers recognize the importance of the Holy Spirit in God’s redemptive purpose. Many Christians have no idea what difference it would make if there were no Holy Spirit in this world. Without the Holy Spirit there would be no creation, no universe, no human race (Ge 1:2; Job 33:4). Without the Holy Spirit there would be no Bible (2Pe 1:21), no New Testament (Jn 14:26; 15:26-27; 1Co 2:10~14), no power to proclaim the gospel (Ac 1:8). Without the Holy Spirit there would be no faith, no new birth, no holiness no Christians at all in the world. This chapter explores some of the basic teachings about the Holy Spirit.

THE PERSON OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Throughout Scripture the Spirit is revealed as a person with an individuality all his own (2Co 3:17-18; Heb 9:14; 1Pe 1:2). He is a divine person like the Father and the Son. Thus we may never think of the Holy Spirit as a mere influence or power. He has personal characteristics for he thinks (Ro 8:27), feels (Ro 15:30), wills (1Co 12:11), and has the capacity to love and to enjoy fellowship. He was sent by the Father to bring believers into the intimate presence and fellowship of Jesus (Jn 14:16-18,26). In the light of these truths we should treat him as a person and regard him as the infinite living God within our hearts, worthy of our worship, love and surrender.

THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Revelation about the Holy Spirit in the OT. We have already analyzed the work of the Holy Spirit in the chapter “THE SPIRIT IN THE OLD TESTAMENT”.
Revelation about the Holy Spirit in the NT.
- The Holy Spirit is the agent of salvation, convicting us of guilt (Jn 16:7-8), revealing to us the truth about Jesus (Jn 14:16,26), giving us new birth (Jn 3:3-6) and incorporating us into the body of Christ (1Co 12:13). At conversion we receive the Spirit (Jn 3:3-6; 20:22) and become participants in the divine nature (2Pe 1:4).
- The Holy Spirit is the agent of sanctification. At conversion believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit and come under his sanctifying influence (Ro 8:9; 1Co 6:19). Notice some of the things the Spirit does as he lives in us. He sanctifies us, i.e. cleanses, leads and motivates us into holy lives, delivering us from sin’s bondage (Ro 8:2-4; Gal 5:16-17; 2Th 2:13). He tells us that we are children of God (Ro 8:16), helps us in our worship of God (Ac 10:46) and in our prayer lives, and intercedes for us as we cry out to God (Ro 8:26-27). He produces Christ like graces of character that glorify Christ (Gal 5:22-23; 1Pe 1:2). He is our divine teacher, guiding us into all truth (Jn 16:13; 14:26; 1Co 2:9-16), disclosing Jesus to us and guiding us into close fellowship and oneness with Jesus (Jn 14:16-18; 16:14). He continually imparts God’s love to us (Ro 5:5) and gives us joy, comfort and help (Jn 14:16; 1Th 1:6).
- The Holy Spirit is the agent of service, empowering believers for service and witness. This work of the Holy Spirit is related to the baptism in the Spirit or the fullness of the Spirit (see chapter on BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT). When we are baptized in the Spirit, we receive power to witness for Christ and work effectively within the church and before the world (Ac 1:8). We receive the same divine anointing that descended on Christ (Jn 1:32-33) and on the disciples (Ac 2:4; see 1:5), enabling us to proclaim God’s Word (Ac 1:8; 4:31) and work miracles (Ac 2:43; 3:2-8; 5:15; 6:8; 10:38). It is God’s intended purpose that all Christians experience the baptism in the Holy Spirit throughout this age (Ac 2:39). In the area of service, the Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts to individual members of the church to edify or strengthen the church (1Co 12-14). These gifts are a manifestation of the Spirit through individuals by which Christ’s presence, love, truth and righteous standards are made real to the fellowship of believers for the common good (1Col2: 7-ll).
- The Holy Spirit is the agent who incorporates believers into the one body of Christ (1Co 12:13), lives in the church (1Co 3:16), builds the church (Eph 2:22), inspires her worship (Php 3:3), directs her mission (Act 13:2,4), anoints her workers (Act 20:28), gives gifts to the church (1Co12: l-11), anoints her preachers (Ac 2:4; 1Cor 2:4), guards the gospel (2Ti 1:14) and promotes her righteousness (Jn 16:8; 1Co 3:16; 6:18-20).
The various activities of the Spirit are complimentary and not contradictory. At the same time, these facets of the Holy Spirit’s work are interlocked and cannot be fully separated. We cannot experience (a) the fullness of new life in Christ, (b) righteousness as a way of living, (c) the power to witness for our Lord or (d) fellowship in his body without becoming involved in all four. For example, baptism in the Holy Spirit cannot be maintained independently of the Spirit’s work of producing righteousness within us and leading us into the knowledge of and commitment to Biblical truth.

Author: Pastor Viju Mathai

About Pastor Viju Mathai

Discerning the source:

3 categories of spirits discerned by the gift of discernment

Two kinds of Judgment

ERRONEOUS BASIS FOR JUDGMENT

How do we discern?

1. Judge According to Scriptural Standards – Biblical Justification

2. Irrefutable evidence – Matt 18:15-16; Deut 17:6

The command for evidence.

3. Judge Yourself Before You Judge Another – Self-examination

4. Delegated authority

5. Don’t rebuke an older man in the church

6. Do not judge Or correct a mocker

8. Private confrontation

9. Humble spirit – Prov 15:1

ERRONEOUS BASIS FOR JUDGMENT

The danger of Enthusiasm / Zeal / Emotions without Discernment

Not to be based on Human Passions / Feelings / Personal Preferences or Standards

Not to be based on Outward Appearances – Judge Righteous Correct Judgment

Not to be made Hastily nor with Insufficient Facts

How do we discern?

The Bible is a discerner (judge) of the thoughts and attitudes of the heart

Discern all things with the help of the Holy Spirit. Human spirit is never accurate

The ultimate judge of our motive and action is God alone

“Diakrino” (dia=through, krino=judge)

The Case of Simon Peter (Apostle) – Separating the source and not the person

To separate thoroughly, to discriminate, to discern, to differentiate, to distinguish (Matt 16:3).

To make a distinction between persons by evaluation

To arbitrate between persons, to weigh thoroughly each part, judge a dispute, settle a difference.

Lord’s Table – Discernment

“Dokimazo” (to test, to approve, to discern)

To test, to approve, to discern (Luke 14:19).

To test or approve the will of God (Rom 12:2).

Our deeds will be tested

Test (dokimazo: prove) every prophecies (1 Thessolonians 5:19-22)

Test (dokimazo) every spirit (1 John 4:1)

Example of Paul and Silas in Philippi

The Case of Simon the Sorcerer

Dangers – lack of discernment

Gullible spirit

Shepherds leading sheep on a road to destruction

How to Discern Real Prophecy from What “Simon Says”

Some of the most basic keys to discernment are as follows:

Our roles as watchmen in this generation

End time deception: Watch out that no one deceives you (Mathew 24:4).

Two kinds of Judgment

“Krino”

The Command Not to Judge

“Anakrino” – concluding on a matter

The framework of operation is always Direct (not indirect), faith, hope and love

Why Are Our Prayers And Ministry So Ineffective?

Counterproductive Ministry or Spiritual Malpractice

How do we discern?

The danger of Enthusiasm without Discernment

The Bible is a discerner (judge) of the thoughts and attitudes of the heart

Discern all things with the help of the Holy Spirit. Human spirit is never accurate

The ultimate judge of our motive and action is God alone

End time deception: Watch out that no one deceives you (Mathew 24:4).

The Biblical Words “Krino”

To judge, pronounce judgment, to sentence, to condemn.

To pass personal judgment on someone’s actions, thus to judge or criticize

The Command Not to Judge

Some of the reasons people get a critical spirit:

How to overcome a faultfinding and critical spirit:

THE PERSON OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

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