Judge Righteously

Mark Dunagan
07/14/13 - Sunday Morning

Judge Righteously

What is the most remembered passage in the Bible?  Is it that God created in the heavens and the earth?  (Genesis 1:1)  Or that God so loved us that He sent His only Son to die for our sins?  (John 3:16)  Unfortunately, to some, the most quoted passage is “Do not judge” (Matthew 7:1)—which is too often misinterpreted to mean, “Do not get on my case if I am doing something wrong”.  Matthew 7:1-5 is not a command to be apathetic and leave people alone to die in their sin, rather it is all about cleaning up your own life so that you are ready and able to aid others in overcoming their sins (7:4). Jesus Himself frequently exposed the wrongs that people were doing, among both professed believers in the true God (Matthew 23) and unbelievers (Matthew 6), and instructs us to gently and persuasively do the same.

John 7:24 “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment”.

In this passage Jesus is not saying, “do not consider what a person does”, for we are expected to make judgments on the basis of a person’s deeds (Matthew 7:16). Rather, the word “appearance” here refers to a purely human way of looking at things.  That is, do not use human standards or human ways of looking at things when you evaluate things or when you decide what is right or wrong. Just as Martin Luther King once said we should make judgments, not on the color of one's skin, but "by the content of their character", and only God defines what good character truly is.  

The Modern Fear

• We live in a world in which it is “better to tolerate heresy (error, false doctrine, false teachers) the argument goes, than to risk looking unloving to the world” (Who Are You To Judge?  Erwin W. Lutzer, p. 10).  Another way of putting this is, “We think it is better to tolerate error than to look ugly defending the truth” (p. 27). There is likewise a false concept of “courtesy”.  It is viewed as having bad manners to talk to people about their soul and the Lord, rather we are supposed to keep our religious views to ourselves. Although we live in an age where even professed Christians seem far more concerned about offending someone in the world, than offending God or Christ, let's remember to whom we owe our loyalties.
• There are a number of “cool causes” to be vocal about in our modern world, such as protecting the environment or saying that God is too loving to allow anyone to end up lost, but it is presently very uncool to stand on Scripture and agree that what the Bible calls a sin is a sin.  Yet this has always been true.  The gospel is not merely offensive to our age, it has been offensive to hardened sinners in every age (1 Corinthians 1:23). Truth is truth, no matter the number of people that acknowledge it as so.
• Someone noted that today many people do not ask the question, “Is it true?”  Rather, they say, “Is it fair in my way of looking at things?”  Rather than reading Mark 16:16 and saying, “I need to get baptized!”  They might say, “You mean if someone isn’t baptized they are going to hell—that doesn’t seem fair”, thus asserting their own reasoning above their own Creator's while also implying that they are more just and merciful than God Himself.

The result of all of this is that such views from the world have seeped into many churches, to the point that the convictions and moral lives of many professed believers is indistinguishable from the world.  That the sins you see in the world are to the same degree practiced in the lives of the members of some churches.  In fact the false views you hear in the world, are often even proclaimed from not just the pew, but even the pulpit.

Righteous Judgment and Entertainment Choices

When it comes to making righteous judgments we could talk about a number of applications, but in this lesson I want to provide some practical help when it comes to the Christian and media, so that we can determine to say alongside the Psalmist, “I will set no worthless thing before my eyes”.

• Just because a movie has a PG or G rating, does not mean that it is harmless.  PG movies, while void of nudity and strong language, can equally have themes of rebellion against God’s truth.  Remember, when we watch anything someone we've never met is attempting to educate or indoctrinate us.  As we watch the movie our view of something is being shaped. Long ago John said, “They are of the world; therefore they speak as from the world, and the world listens to them” (1 John 4:5).  And movies or television are such power mediums because they engage us on all levels. Remember, a movie, song or television show might be very entertaining, but it is never “just” entertainment. Think critically at all times, comparing the message with truth.
• A comedy may be good and wholesome, yet be aware that a comedy may still be designed to breakdown our resistance against a sin.  Hollywood long ago understood that if they could get us to laugh at a sin, we would no longer view it as seriously as we once did. Let's not laugh at what hurts God's heart and cost Him the blood of our precious Savior. 
• “How much of Hollywood should you let into your home?  Run it past the content test.  Does it ignite…desires for the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, or the pride of life?  Is this the kind of music or movie I would watch if I had Jesus over for dinner?” (Lutzer p. 144).   Now, I might still watch my favorite show with Jesus in the room, but I would certainly be far more discerning of the content. When we determine to change the channel and walk away from darkness, we acknowledge the omnipresence of God Himself.
• When you are choosing programming, ask yourself, "Is this program appealing to my pride?  Is it awaking lust?  Is it putting images in my head that I will have to fight against tomorrow and the next day?  Or, are noble thoughts being produced?  Is the show giving me excuses or taking them away?  Is it encouraging me to take it easy, let someone else do it, or does it inspire me to do important yet difficult things? Is this the best use of my time?  Back to the previous question, I think for most of us, if Jesus was actually physically in the room and we could converse with Him, the last thing we would want to do is watch TV!  I mean we all have hundreds of questions that we would like to ask Him.  And we would want to spend our evening with Him—listening to Him. How much television would we have time for, if we only watched after we had spent time talking and listening to God in prayer and reading His word first? He longs for us to draw near to Him, and if Satan fails to get us to participate in something evil, his next attempt is often to just keep you and I from opportunities of spiritual growth.
• Though many in our modern culture claim to be so busy that there "isn’t any time", and yet we are told to redeem the time (Ephesians 5:15-16). One writer said that after visiting Eastern Europe years ago and watching people stand in line for three hours a day just to buy basic things like bread, they came to realize how much free time they actually had in America.  “Unfortunately, developing our relationship with God and His people is often marginalized, no matter how much time our high-tech society gives us” (Lutzer p. 147). Think carefully about how you spend this invaluable commodity. Time management is much like the wealth. May we ever  remember that the hour or so we sit down and watch something is an investment.  For we will never have that hour again in our life.  If we were foolish with our money when poor, we will be foolish when a sudden increase of wealth and if we wasted time before computers, microwaves or smart phones came along, we will still squander the time that those conveniences save us. Let's be good wise stewards of all resources, including time. 
• “Let's ask ourselves some hard questions:  Are we satisfied with the way we spent our time last year?  Let’s evaluate the return of our investment for the number of hours we sat in front the television set (in front of the computer, surfing the Internet, or gaming) during the last twelve months.  Did the time spent make us a better person? Did it improve our character?” (Lutzer p. 147).   How would life be different today if I had spent that time in prayer, Bible Study, encouraging someone or nourishing friendships with brethren or neighbors?

Practical Helps in Parenting

• Explain to your kids how they will be tempted, and how the world will try to wear them down. Explain the real cost:  “Son, putting that image into your head, or believing that false concept will destroy you”.
• Set strict limits on how much time can be spent on electronics. Keep the computer and TV’s out of the kids room and have them in a place where everyone can see them. Educate yourself on the latest parental controls and use them. Set up the computer where it locks down when not in use and is only password accessible.
• Watch TV with them and point out where a show is persuading them to buy into a false concept.  Ask, “Hear that? What do you think they are trying to sell us on? Why is what he just said bogus?” During good programming ask "What proverb does this remind you of?" Use all life experiences, including programming, to discuss spiritually relevant topics. Such time spent, you will never regret.

Mark Dunagan  |  mdunagan@frontier.net
Beaverton Church of Christ  |  503-644-9017
www.beavertonchurchofchrist.net