God's View:
1 Cor. 11:31-32
; Matt. 5:23-24
-If we as christians would properly
criticize, examine and correct ourselves, it would not necessary
for the Lord to chasten us in order to prevent our being condemned
with the world. Judging ourselves means we criticize our conduct,
words, thoughts and motives and try them by principles found
in the Bible-justice, mercy, love and truth. When we do offend,
we are to be reconciled with God, ourselves and with others, as
appropriate.
Hope:
Acts 17:30-31
; John 15:19
; l Pet. 4:17
-In the next age, the
world of mankind will be on trial, on judgment. But we are Christ's
disciples, and not of the world and our judgment begins today.
Marks in our character must be removed, and if we don't deal with
them, the Lord will discipline us for their removal in order
to "fit" us for the Kingdom.
l Cor. 4:1-5 ; 2 Tim. 3:1-8 -It is not for us to judge the heart-intentions of others. We should not denounce people and declare them guilty of evil intentions unless Scriptures tells us to do so. We are not able to read the heart of anyone. Though the conduct or teaching may be wrong, only God knows to what extent people are willing sinners, wilful wrongdoers. We are to do all in our power to show people the error of their course, but we are not to attaempt to harm or punish them.
l Cor. 13:4-8 -However, we are to have opinions and judgments, not in the sense of condemnation but we are to say that certain lines of conduct and certain words or acts are out of accord with the Lord's standards of righteousness. We may not judge in the sense of determining the degree of guilt resting upon evildoers. Love always hopes for the best, does not evil surmise, to think no evil but to think favorable and kind and to put away bias and prejudice and to give the benefit of doubt to the sinner.
Change:
Matt. 7:15-20
; 1 Cor. 4:5
; Acts 23:16-22
-We should continually
judge whether various acts and words are right and wrong. We are
to notice the fruitage of life in others and we are to judge and
disapprove of that what is evil, to learn from it, but not to
condemn others. Only the Lord can properly judge as to what degree
of punishment wrong conduct deserves. We are not to judge others
in our minds or words, all we can do is to judge conduct whether
it is proper or improper. We should conclusions to ourselves,
and not express them to others. Recognize that we cannot judge
the heart of anyone just as no human being can judge our own hearts
so well as ourselves.
1 Cor. 4:3-4 ; Gen. 3:20 ; Ps. 51:5 -In judging ourselves, we should be somewhat lenient. When we recognize how high the Divine standard is, we may be apt to judge ourselves with undue severity and not take into account that all of us were "shapened in iniquity". Realize when you feel greatly condemned for some action, don't make any excuses, but trust that God will be able to make some allowances in the matter. God can see extenuating circumstances which you cannot see. Thus, don't judge yourself improperly.
Rom. 12:1-2 ; 2 Cor. 10:3-5 -We are inclined to see all our imperfections, and to suffer much from self-condemnation. See these matter as they really are. All judgments should be just, for justice is the very foundation of the Divine Throne. Note your gains and losses in character development, and perceive how, when and where these experiences came. Note the weaknesses and filthiness of your own fallen flesh, and seek to cleanse self of these blemishes. Judging yourself this way will enable your mind to give full control, and to take every thought into captivity to the will of God.
If we are doing our best in the great matter of judging, criticizing
ourselves with a view to improvement of character and are dealing
with all others along the line of the Golden Rule, we should be
blessed and made ready for the Kingdom of His Dear Son, Our Lord
Jesus Christ.