Judge? Yes. But don't be Judgmental

Whenever Christians express disapproval of something the Bible calls a sin, they will be reprimanded with the favorite words of those who are otherwise ignorant of the Bible: “Judge not” (Matt. 7:1).

According to Jesus, it is not judging, but judgmentalism that is wrong. Opposed to a judgmentalism stemming from a sense of moral superiority, Jesus said, “First remove the beam from your own eye; then you can see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” In other words, don’t be hypocritical; judge yourself first. 

Judgmentalism is wrong, but moral judgments are not (the Bible is replete with them). For Biblically-centered believers, explaining what the Bible calls 'sin' is part of the job description, especially given the degree of biblical illiteracy and moral ambiguity in our secular culture.  So the next time you are accused of violating the “judge not” rule, turn it into a teaching moment, explaining the difference. But, don't forget to speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:15).

Remember Lot’s Wife

Solomon, the greatest thinker whoever lived said, “As a man thinks so he is” (Prov. 23:7). Paul told the Colossians to think more about things above—thoughts of eternal value—than earthly ones (3:2). He told the Philippians to think about better things (4:8-9). And he flat out warned the Corinthians to “capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ” (2 Cor 10:5). Jesus often asked the question,“What do you think?”

If the first disciples had to be reminded not to be too occupied with earthly things, how much more do we! Earthly things can devour our mental energies and overwhelm our affections. And here’s a disturbing thought: what we think about reveals what we love. And John warns “if you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you” (1 John 2:15).

Lot’s wife loved the world. She couldn't stop thinking about the life she had left in Sodom; she couldn’t keep from looking back; and turned into a pillar of salt. In three power-packed words, Jesus warns, “Remember Lot’s wife” (Luke 17:32). Considering her consequences, we have to ask “what was she thinking?” Whatever it was must have been pretty important to her! What do you think?

At the Speed of Thought

What is faster than the speed of light? Answer: the speed of thought.

Last weekend, I read that actor Ashton Kutcher had to apologize for an inappropriate ‘tweet’ he made about the Penn State debacle that seemed to trivialize child abuse.  It’s not the first time someone had post-tweeting shame. It is inherently dangerous to be able to share your thoughts at the speed of light!

A guiding principle in information technology has been to help people perform tasks at the “speed of thought.” As fast as you can think it, you can do it. But acting on our inappropriate thoughts at the speed of light will certainly cause us pain and embarrassment (not unlike Ashton Kutcher’s untimely tweet).

If only we could learn to stop our thoughts with the same speed as our instant devices transmit them, we would be saved from the grief of hurtful communications and destructive behaviors. I’ve always thought the first part of the phrase “be quick to listen and slow to speak” (James 1:19) means to stop and pay attention to the emotionally charged thoughts racing through your mind to make sure they are lined up with Christ (2 Cor. 10:5).  Only then will we be slow to speak. 

Do You Talk to Yourself?

Martin Lloyd-Jones once said: "Have you realized that most of your unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself instead of talking to yourself?”

Each of us has negative thoughts—troubling and sometimes disturbing. If we pay attention to these negative thoughts, we energize them. You might say we feed them. So instead of listening to them, we should start talking to them.

For example, think how different things might have been if Eve had not listened to the serpent who twice planted doubts about what God had really said. If Eve had only talked back to Satan, perhaps she would have gained control of her thoughts! But her negative thinking actually allowed Satan to deceive her. Here’s the pattern: first Satan dictated her thoughts; then he deceived her mind. Don't let negative thinking dictate you. Turn the tables—make them take dictation! Talk to them assertively from the Word of truth until you have taken all thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor. 10:5).

Are You Guilty of Speaking Careless Words?

This week another (allegedly) abusive police action was caught ‘on tape’ (a now defunct expression)! With web-connected digital cameras and camcorders built into every cell phone, every action and word can be recorded and stored forever. It has never been more necessary to “think before you speak.” In the words of Jesus: “…every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the Day of Judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." (Matt. 12:36-37).

How many careless words have I spoken in my lifetime: dozens, hundreds, thousands? Maybe I should just talk less. Who hasn’t said something they immediately regretted and wanted to take back? Are you guilty of shooting off an emotionally-laden email to someone, and then immediately wished you could recall it? Are the days of writing (yes, on paper!) a thoughtful letter gone forever?

Jesus words are sobering, aren’t they!? But because you and I are justified by the blood of Jesus, we will not face such condemnation (Romans 5:1, 9; 8:1, 30). Before you get too giddy, let me say you are not off the hook for your careless words.

The New Testament letters are full of admonitions to be careful how we speak. Though we may escape “condemnation,” we are admonished to bear Jesus’ image in our speech (1 Tim. 4:12), to “speak the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15); be “slow to speak” (James 1:19); not to “speak evil against another” (James 4:11), and to speak “only what is helpful for building others up” (Eph. 4:29 NIV). And finally, careless words result in a loss of intimacy with Jesus, broken fellowship with the very people we are called to love, not to mention the loss of eternal rewards (1 Cor. 3:14-16). Be careful to think before you hit that “send” button.