Judge Righteously

In the Bible times, it was common to see prophets and even Jesus’s disciples warning others to keep God’s commandments and repent of their sins, lest His wrath would fall upon them. However, now we have many people that complain about people that do this and say that the person is judging them wrongfully. However, does the Bible agree with this type of person? You will soon see one way or not as we look more at the story of Jehoshaphat. When asked of him, if he would ¹“help the ungodly, and love them that hate the Lord?” (2 Chronicles 19:2) This was his response in action. ¹“He set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city, And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the Lord, who is with you in the judgment. Wherefore now let the fear of the Lord be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the Lord our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts. Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites, and of the priests, and of the chief of the fathers of Israel, for the judgment of the Lord, and for controversies, when they returned to Jerusalem.” (2 Chronicles 19:5-8) Wow, isn’t this teaching so amazing? So how are we to judge others, if we are called to do so? #1 We are to judge others for the Lord, not as a man or woman would. #2 Since God is with us, we can judge righteously. Even Jesus said, ²“Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” (John 7:24) It is awesome to have the words of Jesus perfectly match what has already been said in scripture.

Next, we will learn what is ok to tell people and still judge righteously. This is important to know, but we can only accomplish this when the Holy Spirit is with us. We don’t go about it with anger but with love and respect towards others. And if you are wondering how we can do all this, Jehoshaphat answered that question also. Pertaining to those people he called to be judged, ¹“He charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the Lord, faithfully, and with a perfect heart. And what cause soever shall come to you of your brethren that dwell in your cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and judgments, ye shall even warn them that they trespass not against the Lord, and so wrath come upon you, and upon your brethren: this do, and ye shall not trespass.” (2 Chronicles 19:9,10) As judges, the people were to walk in the fear of the Lord and with a perfect heart. This meaning, that they seek the Lord at all times and have His presence with them. At this point, can a man or woman of God warn people of their trespasses against the Lord. This meaning the sins they have committed, which God hates. We do this because the wrath of God is upon the wicked. Now, is this a good way to judge others? Yes, it is. But remember that some people will still see this as judging them wrongfully. So as long as you continue walking in the Holy Spirit, it is correct still, so don’t worry too much about certain individuals, but keep doing what God has called you to do. However, if God is not with you in these matters, then repent and be made clean through the blood of Jesus.

Let us pray:
Oh Lord, when I look at the people in this world, I can see many of them that are lost and without a Savior. Even many people that say they are Christian have lost the meaning of following You, and are now being led astray. Some unknowingly and some purposely, because of the lusts in their flesh. Therefore, I pray that You will open up my mouth and the mouths of other men and women of God, that we may be a witness to these people on Your behalf. People need to know what the Bible says and be warned of the wrath to come, lest they repent. Surely, only if people are covered by Your blood, Jesus, can they be forgiven. And when people finally understand this, they will not wish to continue living out their old life anymore, but live for You, Lord, completely. Even their sins will become very vial and wretched in their eyes, that they will desire to be cleansed from all of it. I have seen people go through an amazing transformation, even the moment that they confessed their sins and confessed they needed a Savior. This is what people need to do right now. If people would just humble themselves before You, then they would only wish to be blessed by You and no longer walk under the world’s standards. Surely, You have given me a new heart and a new mind, in order to walk in Your light. I can even feel the pains that people are going through now, and I wish I could reach everyone and let them know that they need You for peace. The trials in life can be terrible to bear, but with You on our side, we have comfort. Even Your joy abounds with us at all times. Thank You, Lord, for everything You have done for my life and for the lives of millions of others. We love You and honor You, this day and forever. We give You glory and praise. Amen.

Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.

2 Chronicles 19

¹2 Chronicles 19 (KJV)
1 And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem.
2 And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the Lord? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the Lord.
3 Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God.
4 And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem: and he went out again through the people from Beersheba to mount Ephraim, and brought them back unto the Lord God of their fathers.
5 And he set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city,
6 And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the Lord, who is with you in the judgment.
7 Wherefore now let the fear of the Lord be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the Lord our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.
8 Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites, and of the priests, and of the chief of the fathers of Israel, for the judgment of the Lord, and for controversies, when they returned to Jerusalem.
9 And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the Lord, faithfully, and with a perfect heart.
10 And what cause soever shall come to you of your brethren that dwell in your cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and judgments, ye shall even warn them that they trespass not against the Lord, and so wrath come upon you, and upon your brethren: this do, and ye shall not trespass.
11 And, behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the Lord; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, for all the king’s matters: also the Levites shall be officers before you. Deal courageously, and the Lord shall be with the good.

John 7

²John 7 (KJV)
1 After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him.
2 Now the Jew’s feast of tabernacles was at hand.
3 His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest.
4 For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world.
5 For neither did his brethren believe in him.
6 Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready.
7 The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.
8 Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast: for my time is not yet full come.
9 When he had said these words unto them, he abode still in Galilee.
10 But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.
11 Then the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he?
12 And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people.
13 Howbeit no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews.
14 Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.
15 And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?
16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.
17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
18 He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
19 Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?
20 The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee?
21 Jesus answered and said unto them, I have done one work, and ye all marvel.
22 Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man.
23 If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day?
24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
25 Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill?
26 But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ?
27 Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is.
28 Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not.
29 But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me.
30 Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.
31 And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done?
32 The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him.
33 Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me.
34 Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come.
35 Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles?
36 What manner of saying is this that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come?
37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
40 Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.
41 Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?
42 Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?
43 So there was a division among the people because of him.
44 And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him.
45 Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him?
46 The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.
47 Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived?
48 Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?
49 But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed.
50 Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,)
51 Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?
52 They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.
53 And every man went unto his own house.

1 thought on “Judge Righteously”

Greg Francis

April 9, 2020 at 9:47 pm

I’m not nearly as studied as you are Sir, but I’ve learned so much by my question refers to the women who was brought to Jesus In the Temple, they the multitudes wanted to’Stone’ her(condemn)…her, we don’t know straightway what or why Jesus wrote on the Temple ground, we can speculate because Temple s were made of Stone as was the Templates at Mt.sinai, but HIS response WAS very Very….Direct… do you remember HIS response…….”All that has NOT sinned against GOD May cast the First stone”, WOW, what a awesome response AND a good Parable to learn from, we can take a …lot from this, what I can take mainly and uppermost is we have All so against GOD, I know we ARE to repent (turning to GOD to fix what we canNOT), I mean….i don’t think it says she committed numorous Acts of adultry, but the multitudes…..MULTITUDES Wanted to Stone her, I TRY to NOT talk about others for this Very parable, I do NOT think my sinS drove the nails into the Cross less than other people’s sinS, I just wanted to know your thoughts on this Parable by Our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ, GOD Bless You Brother, Sir, Preach ON!!

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