WALKING IN WISDOM- Give Grace // Sunday, September 21, 2025 // Jeff Hines, Lead Pastor
/Sunday, August 21, 2025
Real People
Living in the Real World
Loving the Real God
Give Grace
James 4: 11 & 12 (NLT)
Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law. But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you. 12 God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge your neighbor?
Why do we like to judge others?
1. To excuse our faults.
Romans 2: 3 (NLT)
Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things?
A. How do we excuse our sins?
1) Re-label
2. It feeds our ego.
Proverbs 26: 22 (ESV)
The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.
Why we shouldn’t judge others
1. It’s not Christ-like!
John 8: 44 (NLT)
...you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.
Revelation 12: 10
...the accuser of the brethren…
2. It’s unloving.
Anyone who...judges, speaks against the law… v.11
James 2: 8 (NLT)
Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
3. It’s unjustified.
James 4: 12 (NLT)
God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge... So what right do you have to judge your neighbor?
When is it wrong to judge others?
1. When I’m guilty of the same sin.
Romans 2: 1 - 3 (NLT)
You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. 2 And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. 3 Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things?
2. Basing my judgment on outward appearance.
John 7: 24 (ESV)
Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.
3. When I condemn someone before I know all the facts.
John 7: 51 (NLT)
Is it legal to convict a man before he is given a hearing?
4. Based on external religious observances.
Colossians 2: 16 (NLT)
So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths.
How to break the habit of judging others?
1. Remember that I will be judge in the same manner that I judge others.
Matthew 7: 1 & 2 (NLT)
Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. 2 For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.
2. We are accountable to God.
Romans 14: 12 & 13 (NLT)
Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. 13 So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.
3.Remember God’s mercy to me!
James 2: 13 (NLT)
There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.