WHEN YOU NEED TO JUDGE YOURSELF

1Corinthians 11:31-32 KJV
For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

Dear Believer,

God has given us one of the greatest priviledges that one can ever imagine. I want to encourage you to take advantage of it, if you haven’t been doing so.

If a parent told his child, “Johnbull, if you do any wrong, no matter how serious, and you correct yourself and make amends, I won’t punish you,” wouldn’t that be a great privilege?

In our focus scripture today, God is telling us, if you discern, correct and judge your own wrong, you won’t be judged by me. But if you don’t judge yourself and make amends and I have to do it myself, you may suffer what the world will suffer.”

As a pastor, I have had to call the attention of some people to the wrong they committed. My experience has taught me that most people hate being corrected.

For example, a man or a woman may cheat on his or her spouse, and when we try to get them to take the right steps, they become smart and stubborn. They lay the blame here and there and try to escape their responsibility.

Now, it doesn’t matter that you are a Believer, that attitude will put you in a dangerous place. You are inviting God to chastise you by Himself. “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hand of the living God.” (Hebrews 20:31).

The Spirit of God will convict you of wrong. Don’t resist. Don’t wait until disobedience bears the fruit of evil for you to pluck.

Every parent appreciates the child who says, “Daddy, I broke the flower vase when you were not around, and I’m sorry.” No parent loves to find the broken pieces of the vase under the bed. That is what attracts chastisement.

Judge yourself. When you miss the mark, own up to God. If your action hurt someone, go to them where possible and correct the wrong.

If you are in a church where you are expected to undergo discipline for a wrong done, humbly submit. Better for you to face the shame now than to be swallowed by it later. If you have a leader that is correcting you, submit to them. You will save yourself a lot of heartache by doing so.

1Timothy 5:24 NET
The sins of some people are obvious, going before them into judgment, but for others, they show up later.

That means some people’s sins are there openly to be dealt with before judgement day. But others are hiding theirs, not letting it show and pretending that they are good. Those are the ones in the dangerous place. Don’t be like them.

If you need to judge yourself in anything, do not hesitate. Go right now to God or those concerned and do it.

It is a great privilege given to you by God; make use of it.

Have a great day.

Your friend,
Deon.