A Nugget from New Life Network

Scripture for the Day (October 6, 2015)

Judge not, that ye be not judged. (Matthew 7:1)

A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down. (Luke 13:6-9)

To understand some of the parables in real life terms (versus theological or prophetic terms) you must go back and look at the context in which they are written. This particular parable was preceded by Jesus teaching about judgment. He talked in Luke 12:58 about being careful of taking your advesary to court because you may find yourself before the judge. What he was really talking about was the bounce back effect of judgment. Let’s look at that issue.

Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? (Matthew 7:1-3)

Most people do not have a clue about the seriousness of judging others. We know of and have counseled with so many people that do not understand this principle. Jesus said “Judge Not”. He did not suggest it may not be a good thing on occasion. He said, don’t do it!

But we are a very stubborn people that have thousands of excuses why we should not abide by this simple rule. “You just don’t understand God what this person did!” As a result, we have people that are in bondage today and don’t even know it. They have judged someone quickly and harshly and the same judgment that they judged with is coming back on them from numerous different sources. It may come back through a job interview, a friend, a business venture, a date, or a multitude of other ways. Regardless of how it comes back, it will come back on you in some negative way.

A person that is quick to judge eventually becomes hard and arrogant. They become too impressed with themselves and that shows through to all they come in contact with but is invisible to them. I personally think God is trying to show us that we never know everything that goes on in a person’s life and we will never know it if we judge that person too quickly. The job of judging is up to God, not us.

Take a lesson from the vine dresser. Do not be quick to cut down the tree. Give it some grace and some tender loving care. You just don’t know when a frog may turn into a prince or when a fruitless tree will start bearing fruit. God uses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise. I am sure glad Jesus never gave up on me because I did not bear any fruit for 35 years. How about you?

 

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf
also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. (Psalm 1:3)
 

 

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