ESOCS Devotional 18 December 2021
TEXT: JOHN 7:14-24
MEMORY VERSE:
“Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24 KJV).
We are commanded to exercise righteous judgment. We are forbidden to judge when we are not qualified to do so. We may not judge according to appearance (John 7:24). This means that we may not judge on the basis of insufficient, superficial information. Outward appearance is often deceptive. Righteous judgment must be based on conclusive evidence. We may not judge on the basis of appearance, personal opinions, or unsubstantiated suspicions.
If we condemn someone for something we do ourselves, we bring condemnation upon ourselves. We may not judge in matters of opinion. We may not judge with insufficient knowledge. We may not take God’s place in judgment. We may not condemn the guiltless by neglecting mercy. We must keep these warnings carefully in mind.
All these commands require the careful exercise of righteous judgment. Do not be deceived by smooth words and flattering speech. Beware of wolves who come to you with sheep’s skin. We must be careful not to make unqualified judgments. But we must judge appropriately when commanded to do so. We cannot properly assess what a righteous standard is if we use others or ourselves—fallible human beings—as the standard. True judgment is according to the truth of God. Paul makes this point very clear in his letter to the Romans: “But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things” (Romans 2:2).
God’s righteous judgment is based on truth. This means that His decisions are reached based on reality, on the facts of the case, not on appearances or intentions. It also means He judges without partiality to rank, wealth, station, or position.
Finally, it means that He judges based on an authoritative and unchanging standard: His own character as revealed in His Word.
- When you have an opportunity to give judgment between brethren, what steps do you take to ensure you judge appropriately and without partiality?
- Father, help me to always judge without partiality to rank, wealth, station, or position, in Jesus’ name.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
FURTHER READING: Matthew 7:1–5; Luke 6:37-45
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ESOCS Devotional 18 December 2021
