Dear Friends,

It is so easy to criticize. Researchers have found that being outraged and then critically reacting actually gives humans a type of pleasure. The pleasure center of the brain is activated when we feel outrage and then react by expressing our selves. This can actually become quite addicting.

No wonder social media input that fans outrage has become a trillion-dollar a year business.

Relationships get forged around what we are up in arms about and who we are critical of. But is this good? More importantly, is it Godly?

Jesus spoke about this repeatedly only he used a different word. Jesus called it judging.

 

Luke 6:37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned.

 

This Sunday we will explore the great blessings of forgiveness and the danger of playing Judge.

If you know anyone who has been alienated from church life this could be really helpful. Invite them to come along and sit with you.

 

Blessings,

Joe

 

Preparing for Sunday-In Christ Week 6, November 10, 2019

Please read and consider the following as you get ready to come.

 

judge

The word in Greek— κρίνω

krinō

kree’-no

Properly to distinguish, that is, decide (mentally or judicially); by implication to try, condemn, punish: – avenge, conclude, condemn, damn, decree, determine, esteem, judge, go to (sue at the) law, ordain, call in question, sentence to, think.

 

The word judge can go several ways. It is worth asking how do you apply this word most often?

 

 

 

Would you view of “judging “others differently if you changed it to “criticizing” others?

 

 

How seriously do you think people take this warning by Christ?

Matthew 7:1-2 “Do not judge so that you will not be judged. 2 “For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.

 

 

How would obeying this command change how media was presented and what people listened to?

 

 

What standard do you wish to be judged by?

 

 

Who are we more critical of; those closer to us or farther away?

Why?

 

 

What is the difference between confronting a problem and being critical and judgmental?

Galatians 6:1-4 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself so that you too will not be tempted. 2 Bear one another burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another.

 

 

Why is judging others over issues that are cultural or opinions so damaging and destructive?

Romans 14:1-4 Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. 2 One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only. 3 The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him. 4 Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master, he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

 

 

How can judging become addictive?

 

 

What can we do to not be part of a culture of criticism?