Judging Others

In some of my conversations with people regarding Christianity. I am sometimes told that "Christians are not supposed to judge or be judgmental". Some people may even quote scripture. ("Judge not, that ye be not judged." Matthew 7:1) I completely agree that we should not pass judgment on other people regarding their eternal salvation, that is a matter for God and God alone.

However, when people use the "do not judge" argument, they are saying that you should not question or debate lifestyle choices, actions, or alternative beliefs in any way. I counter that this use of this "judge not" command is out of context and does not mean that Christians (or anyone for that manner) should not use their judgment. Taken to the extreme, our society would rapidly disintegrate into chaos.

Yes, we should not be pious, "holier-than-thou", or to ever consider ourselves better than others (because we are not). "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves." (Phillipians 2:3) Conversations should be in love with the best interest of others as the primary objective always. (Matthew 22:36-40)

I found this article today on "Judging Others" to be a very good synopsis:

Judging Others

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

This is a very familiar maxim, ofent cited by unbelievers and carnal Christians [ed. I would not limit it to these two groups] as a rebuke to Christians whom they regard as intolerant [ed. the subject of "intolerance" is a good subject for another blog post]. These words of the Lord Jesus Christ do, indeed, warn us against a self-righteous attitude, condemning others who disagree with us on the basis of superficial criteria.

On the other hand, this caution by no means relieves us of the responsibility of evaluation the beliefs and practices of others in the light of Scripture. In the very same sermon, in fact Jesus said just a few moments later: "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine"; and, "beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing" (Matthew 7:6-15). Obedience to such commandments obviously requires one to make a judgment as to whether certain unbelievers should be regarded as "dogs" or "swine," to whom it would be counterproductvie to try to speak of spiritual matters; or whether certain profession Christian leaders [ed. should this be limited to only "Christian leaders?] be limited to are actually false prophets who should be repudiated. Jesus also said: 'judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment' (John 7:24)

Since the Scriptures themselves are to be used in the final judgment (John 12:48; Revelation 20:12, etc.), it is obvious that we should use them right now to discern truth and error, right and wrong. 'For the word of God...is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.' (Hebrews 4:12).

There is another basis of judgment that the Lord Jesus has authorized us to use. 'A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit....Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.' (Matthew 7:18-20). Thus, by the test of Scripture plus fruit produced, can serve as the basis of a valid judgment. Until adequate data for making such a test are available, judge not!"

Morris, Henry H. Ph.D., "Judging Others", Days of Praise; Institute for Creation Research, 2008.

Exodus - The Tabernacle & Garments

The story of the Exodus is amazing for many reasons.

God demonstrates His power over Pharoah ten times.
Before the Israelites leave Egypt, they ask the Egyptians for gold, silver, and clothing...and they give them these things willingly. Why? Because the Lord makes the Egyptians favorably disposed to them. (Exodus 12:35-36)

Now, I don't think the Isrealites would have ever thought of this on their own. "Ask our slave masters for their gold, silver, and clothing? Yeah, right!"

Of course gold and silver are desirable things of value. But when you are fleeing slavery at the risk of death, you probably wouldn't want to haul something heavy along with you. Even gold would probably be something you would leave behind. But the Israelities ask for it and take it with them in faith.

Why would God want them to take gold, silver and clothes with them. Obviously God can provide for all of their physical needs (quail meat, manna, clothing that does not wear out {ref}, etc.). Well, we find out later in Exodus why the gold, silver, and clothing was needed. They were used to build the tabernacle and all of the sacred objects to be used by the priests, and the garments worn by the priests.

Now, is it very likely that Israelite slaves who to the best of our knowledge were used as slaves to make bricks out of mud, would have any talent for working with wood, making drapes, or the unlikely skill of gold metal working? No, though not entirely out of the realm of possibility, it is unlikely that they learned these skills as slaves in Egypt. Therefore God had to provide these skills to the craftsmen who were responsible for making the tabernacle and the holy objects (Exodus 28:3)

The Behemoth and Leviathan

In Job chapters 40-41 God refers to two of His created creatures as an example of His mighty, sovereign power and majestic glory. The Behemoth and the Leviathan.

Closely read the description of the Behemoth and the Leviathan and determine for yourself what type of creatures are being described.

Job 40

15"Behold, Behemoth,^[c]
which I made as I made you;
he eats^(S) grass like an ox.
16Behold, his strength in his loins,
and his power in the muscles of his belly.
17He makes his tail stiff like a cedar;
the sinews of his thighs are knit together.
18His bones are tubes of bronze,
his limbs like bars of iron.

19"He is^(T) the first of^(U) the works^[d] of God;
let him who made him bring near his sword!
20For the mountains yield food for him
where all the wild beasts play.
21Under the lotus plants he lies,
in the shelter of^(V) the reeds and in the marsh.
22For his shade the lotus trees cover him;
the willows of the brook surround him.
23Behold, if the river is turbulent he is not frightened;
he is confident though Jordan rushes against his mouth.
24Can one take him by his eyes,^[e]
or pierce his nose with a snare?

Job 41

1^[f] "Can you draw out^(W) Leviathan^[g] with a fishhook
or press down his tongue with a cord?
2Can you put^(X) a rope in his nose
or pierce his jaw with a hook?
3Will he make many pleas to you?
Will he speak to you soft words?
4Will he make a covenant with you
to take him for^(Y) your servant forever?
5Will you play with him as with a bird,
or will you put him on a leash for your girls?
6Will traders bargain over him?
Will they divide him up among the merchants?
7Can you fill his skin with harpoons
or his head with fishing spears?
8Lay your hands on him;
remember the battle—you will not do it again!
9^[h] Behold, the hope of a man is false;
he is laid low even at the sight of him.
10No one is so fierce that he dares to stir him up.
Who then is he who can stand before me?
11^(Z) Who has first given to me, that I should repay him?
^(AA) Whatever is under the whole heaven is mine.

12"I will not keep silence concerning his limbs,
or his mighty strength, or his goodly frame.
13Who can strip off his outer garment?
Who would come near him with a bridle?
14Who can open the doors of his face?
Around his teeth is terror.
15His back is made of^[i] rows of shields,
shut up closely as with a seal.
16One is so near to another
that no air can come between them.
17They are^(AB) joined one to another;
they clasp each other and cannot be separated.
18His sneezings flash forth light,
and his eyes are like^(AC) the eyelids of the dawn.
19Out of his mouth go flaming torches;
sparks of fire leap forth.
20Out of his nostrils comes forth smoke,
as from a boiling pot and burning rushes.
21His breath^(AD) kindles coals,
and a flame comes forth from his mouth.
22In his neck abides strength,
and terror dances before him.
23The folds of his flesh^(AE) stick together,
firmly cast on him and immovable.
24His heart is hard as a stone,
hard as the lower millstone.
25When he raises himself up the mighty^[j] are afraid;
at the crashing they are beside themselves.
26Though the sword reaches him, it does not avail,
nor the spear, the dart, or the javelin.
27He counts iron as straw,
and bronze as rotten wood.
28The arrow cannot make him flee;
for him sling stones are turned to stubble.
29Clubs are counted as stubble;
he laughs at the rattle of javelins.
30His underparts are like sharp^(AF) potsherds;
he spreads himself like^(AG) a threshing sledge on the mire.
31He makes the deep boil like a pot;
he makes the sea like a pot of ointment.
32Behind him he leaves a shining wake;
one would think the deep to be white-haired.
33^(AH) On earth there is not his like,
a creature without fear.
34He sees everything that is high;
he is king over all the^(AI) sons of pride."

Other references to "Leviathan"

1. Job 3:8
   Let those curse it who curse the day,who are ready to rouse up Leviathan.
   Job 3:7-9 (in Context) Job 3 (Whole Chapter)
2. Job 41:1
   "Can you draw out Leviathan with a fishhookor press down his tongue with a cord?
   Job 41:1-3 (in Context) Job 41 (Whole Chapter)
3. Psalm 74:14
   You crushed the heads of Leviathan;you gave him as food for the creatures of the wilderness.
   Psalm 74:13-15 (in Context) Psalm 74 (Whole Chapter)
4. Psalm 104:26
   There go the ships,and Leviathan, which you formed to play in it.
   Psalm 104:25-27 (in Context) Psalm 104 (Whole Chapter)
5. Isaiah 27:1
   [ The Redemption of Israel ] In that day the LORD with his hard and great and strong sword will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent, Leviathan the twisting serpent, and he will slay the dragon that is in the sea.
   Isaiah 27:1-3 (in Context) Isaiah 27 (Whole Chapter)

Also, there are three references to a "fiery serpent" Two of them are "flying" serpents.

1. Numbers 21:8
   And the LORD said to Moses, "Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live."
   Numbers 21:7-9 (in Context) Numbers 21 (Whole Chapter)
2. Isaiah 14:29
   Rejoice not, O Philistia, all of you,that the rod that struck you is broken,for from the serpent’s root will come forth an adder,and its fruit will be a flying fiery serpent.
   Isaiah 14:28-30 (in Context) Isaiah 14 (Whole Chapter)
3. Isaiah 30:6
   An oracle on the beasts of the Negeb.Through a land of trouble and anguish,from where come the lioness and the lion,the adder and the flying fiery serpent,they carry their riches on the backs of donkeys,and their treasures on the humps of camels,to a people that cannot profit them.
   Isaiah 30:5-7 (in Context) Isaiah 30 (Whole Chapter)

..and references to "dragons"

1. Nehemiah 2:13
   I went out by night by the Valley Gate to the Dragon Spring and to the Dung Gate, and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem that were broken down and its gates that had been destroyed by fire.
   Nehemiah 2:12-14 (in Context) Nehemiah 2 (Whole Chapter)
2. Isaiah 27:1
   [ The Redemption of Israel ] In that day the LORD with his hard and great and strong sword will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent, Leviathan the twisting serpent, and he will slay the dragon that is in the sea.
   Isaiah 27:1-3 (in Context) Isaiah 27 (Whole Chapter)
3. Isaiah 51:9
   Awake, awake, put on strength,O arm of the LORD;awake, as in days of old,the generations of long ago.Was it not you who cut Rahab in pieces,who pierced the dragon?
   Isaiah 51:8-10 (in Context) Isaiah 51 (Whole Chapter)
4. Ezekiel 29:3
   speak, and say, Thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, I am against you,Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great dragon that liesin the midst of his streams, that says, 'My Nile is my own;I made it for myself.'
   Ezekiel 29:2-4 (in Context) Ezekiel 29 (Whole Chapter)
5. Ezekiel 32:2
   "Son of man, raise a lamentation over Pharaoh king of Egypt and say to him:"You consider yourself a lion of the nations,but you are like a dragon in the seas; you burst forth in your rivers,trouble the waters with your feet,and foul their rivers.
   Ezekiel 32:1-3 (in Context) Ezekiel 32 (Whole Chapter)
6. Revelation 12:1
   [ The Woman and the Dragon ] And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.
   Revelation 12:1-3 (in Context) Revelation 12 (Whole Chapter)
7. Revelation 12:3
   And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems.
   Revelation 12:2-4 (in Context) Revelation 12 (Whole Chapter)
8. Revelation 12:4
   His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it.
   Revelation 12:3-5 (in Context) Revelation 12 (Whole Chapter)
9. Revelation 12:7
   [ Satan Thrown Down to Earth ] Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back,
   Revelation 12:6-8 (in Context) Revelation 12 (Whole Chapter)
10. Revelation 12:9
    And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world— he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
    Revelation 12:8-10 (in Context) Revelation 12 (Whole Chapter)
11. Revelation 12:13
    And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child.
    Revelation 12:12-14 (in Context) Revelation 12 (Whole Chapter)
12. Revelation 12:16
    But the earth came to the help of the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed the river that the dragon had poured from his mouth.
    Revelation 12:15-17 (in Context) Revelation 12 (Whole Chapter)
13. Revelation 12:17
    Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the sea.
    Revelation 12:16-17 (in Context) Revelation 12 (Whole Chapter)
14. Revelation 13:2
    And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear’s, and its mouth was like a lion’s mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority.
    Revelation 13:1-3 (in Context) Revelation 13 (Whole Chapter)
15. Revelation 13:4
    And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?"
    Revelation 13:3-5 (in Context) Revelation 13 (Whole Chapter)
16. Revelation 13:11
    [ The Second Beast ] Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon.
    Revelation 13:10-12 (in Context) Revelation 13 (Whole Chapter)
17. Revelation 16:13
    And I saw, coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs.
    Revelation 16:12-14 (in Context) Revelation 16 (Whole Chapter)
18. Revelation 20:2
    And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years,
    Revelation 20:1-3 (in Context) Revelation 20 (Whole Chapter)

Adam & Eve - Cain and Abel

As I was recently reading the book of Genesis it finally dawned on me that Cain and Able were not necessarily the first two children of Adam and Eve. The Bible never said they were, but as we naturally do, we assume that since they are the first two offspring mentioned they must have been the first two children.

Genesis 4:14 - Cain laments to God, "I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth,(N) and whoever finds me will kill me." Some people would incorrectly argue, how could this be? since there would not be other people in the world to "kill" Cain. Answer: Yes, there were other people in the world, Cain's older siblings.

In Genesis 4:17 - Cain had a wife. Yes, Cain's wife was his biological sister. This is not an issue because a) it was not yet a sin to marry your sister at that time and b) God had created Adam and Eve as "very good" genetic beings with a low potential for genetic issues with brother-sister offspring.

Atheists Who Inspire

I believe that Joshua Elsom's blog entry on "Atheists Who Inspire" and the associated YouTube video needs to be shared with other Christians.

I agree with Joshua that Penn Jillette's (1/2 of Penn & Teller) reaction "should stand as a rebuke to the 'easygoing christian' (myself included) and a charge to the faithful.

Penn's reaction to a Christian's sincere proselytizing effort should convict us all to share the Gospel. Check it out.

My favorite verse in the Bible (among many)

My favorite verse in the Bible is Ephesians 5:8.

for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light

Thus the name of this blog.

I chose this verse out of the 31,173 available verses because:

1) It reminds me that without Jesus Christ, I was darkness. Not just "in darkness".
2) Now, I am light in the Lord.
3) Therefore, I should walk as a child of light.