Judge Yourself or Be Judged

1 Corinthians 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

INTRODUCTORY THOUGHTS

Far too many Christians fear being judged by others more than they fear being judged by Almighty God. Christians should have a healthy respect and fear concerning the coming judgment seat of Christ. Yet, very few actually understand the biblical admonition concerning how to reduce this judgment. In today’s passage, we learn that “if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.” Christians should devote their time and strength to comparing themselves against the precepts of God’s word to help correct their shortcomings. In doing so, the time of judgment at Christ’s judgment seat would lose much of its dread. In like manner, Christians should learn to become their own honest critic making it harder for others to find legitimate fault with us. The importance of this self-evaluation of judging ourselves would equate in a better testimony to the world.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

(For children): The people of Samaria faced starvation from being surrounded by the Syrians. God caused the Syrians to flee (2 Kings 7:6-7), but no one in the city knew that they fled the city. Four lepers who lived outside the city were the only ones who knew. Read what they did (2 Kings 7:5, 8). They examined themselves and knew they should share the information (2 Kings 7:9-10).

(For everyone): Do you judge yourself? Do you find it easier to find fault in others while missing the same faults within your own life? What efforts can you take to become a stronger and more honest critic of yourself?

(For everyone): How could it help at the judgment seat of Christ to judge yourself on a daily basis? How could this conform you more to the Lord Jesus Christ?

PRAYER THOUGHTS

Ask the Lord to help you judge yourself.

Ask the Lord to make you more like His Son each day.

SONG

Wholly Thine

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