Question: "What does the Bible mean that we are not to judge others?"

Answer: Jesus’ command not to judge others could be the most widely quoted of His sayings, even though it is almost invariably quoted in complete disregard of its context. Here is Jesus’ statement: “Do not judge, or you too will be judged” (Matthew 7:1). Many people use this verse in an attempt to silence their critics, interpreting Jesus’ meaning as “You don’t have the right tell me I’m wrong.” Taken in isolation, Jesus’ command “Do not judge” does indeed seem to preclude all negative assessments. However, there is much more to the passage than those three words.

The Bible’s command that we not judge others does not mean we cannot show discernment. Immediately after Jesus says, “Do not judge,” He says, “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs” (Matthew 7:6). A little later in the same sermon, He says, “Watch out for false prophets. . . . By their fruit you will recognize them” (verses 15–16). How are we to discern who are the “dogs” and “pigs” and “false prophets” unless we have the ability to make a judgment call on doctrines and deeds? Jesus is giving us permission to tell right from wrong.

Also, the Bible’s command that we not judge others does not mean all actions are equally moral or that truth is relative. The Bible clearly teaches that truth is objective, eternal, and inseparable from God’s character. Anything that contradicts the truth is a lie—but, of course, to call something a “lie” is to pass judgment. To call adultery or murder a sin is to likewise to pass judgment—but it’s also to agree with God. When Jesus said not to judge others, He did not mean that no one can identify sin for what it is, based on God’s definition of sin.

 And the Bible’s command that we not judge others does not mean there should be no mechanism for dealing with sin. The Bible has a whole book entitled Judges. The judges in the Old Testament were raised up by God Himself (Judges 2:18). The modern judicial system, including its judges, is a necessary part of society. In saying, “Do not judge,” Jesus was not saying, “Anything goes.”

Elsewhere, Jesus gives a direct command to judge: “Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly” (John 7:24). Here we have a clue as to the right type of judgment versus the wrong type. Taking this verse and some others, we can put together a description of the sinful type of judgment:

Superficial judgment is wrong. Passing judgment on someone based solely on appearances is sinful (John 7:24). It is foolish to jump to conclusions before investigating the facts (Proverbs 18:13). Simon the Pharisee passed judgment on a woman based on her appearance and reputation, but he could not see that the woman had been forgiven; Simon thus drew Jesus’ rebuke for his unrighteous judgment (Luke 7:36–50).

Hypocritical judgment is wrong. Jesus’ command not to judge others in Matthew 7:1 is preceded by comparisons to hypocrites (Matthew 6:2, 5, 16) and followed by a warning against hypocrisy (Matthew 7:3–5). When we point out the sin of others while we ourselves commit the same sin, we condemn ourselves (Romans 2:1).

Harsh, unforgiving judgment is wrong. We are “always to be gentle toward everyone” (Titus 3:2). It is the merciful who will be shown mercy (Matthew 5:7), and, as Jesus warned, “In the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Matthew 7:2).

Self-righteous judgment is wrong. We are called to humility, and “God opposes the proud” (James 4:6). The Pharisee in Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector was confident in his own righteousness and from that proud position judged the publican; however, God sees the heart and refused to forgive the Pharisee’s sin (Luke 18:9–14).

Untrue judgment is wrong. The Bible clearly forbids bearing false witness (Proverbs 19:5). “Slander no one” (Titus 3:2).

Christians are often accused of “judging” or intolerance when they speak out against sin. But opposing sin is not wrong. Holding aloft the standard of righteousness naturally defines unrighteousness and draws the slings and arrows of those who choose sin over godliness. John the Baptist incurred the ire of Herodias when he spoke out against her adultery with Herod (Mark 6:18–19). She eventually silenced John, but she could not silence the truth (Isaiah 40:8).

Believers are warned against judging others unfairly or unrighteously, but Jesus commends “right judgment” (John 7:24, ESV). We are to be discerning (Colossians 1:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:21). We are to preach the whole counsel of God, including the Bible’s teaching on sin (Acts 20:27; 2 Timothy 4:2). We are to gently confront erring brothers or sisters in Christ (Galatians 6:1). We are to practice church discipline (Matthew 18:15–17). We are to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).

FROM: http://www.gotquestions.org/QOTW.htm

Joshua 1:8 - Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth. Meditate on it day and night, so that you maybe careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is, -- his good, pleasing and perfect will.

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Recently memorized -

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God that transcends all understanding will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:8  Finally Brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, -- think about such things.

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Recently memorized - (July 10)

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, - plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Proverbs 2:6  For God gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

I had a dream that was very clear just before I woke up from a restful sleep. I dream about a friend from my former job. I found myself with her in a restaurant and we were enjoying our food. There was a guy with her at the table. Obviously, I did not know who he was. I asked my friend who the person was when he left our table. She said she met him there at the restaurant but she knew him from way back in the past. I was eating very slow, enjoying the flavor of my food. She gave an indication that her lunchtime will be over very soon and she would need to get back to the office. I hurriedly finished my lunch and we walked back to her job where I also used to work.

The office was not the same anymore. It was an open, no roof building, like an indoor arena resembling that of the ancient Romans and Greek arenas. This arena though was modern. On the side wings of the arena were enclosed offices for the honchos. The employees were seated in the middle of the arena. I was trying to eye everyone if I can recognize some of the employees. They were all new, fresh faces, young and full of life. They were all wearing white shirts. They were mostly men. My friend was nowhere to be found like she was lost in the crowd. I was excited to see my former boss and when she saw me, she gave me a big hug. When I looked at her, she became like the actor, Ben Affleck with a big smile on his face. We exchanged pleasantries; and then he headed to a meeting with the other guys. They were into this big plan of changing the world. I walked towards the exit without saying goodbye. I noticed the sky was clear, not blue, just white. The next thing I knew was I woke up feeling relaxed from a good sleep.

I haven't remember my dreams for a long time now, that when I can remember them again was surprising.

Three dreams the past two nights that I could remember were remarkable.

First dream was about going back on vacation to Wales. We visited last year and having dream about visiting again was apparently not so bad of an idea, even if it's only in a dream. My dream scene was were we stayed there: my niece and her husband's  house. I was happy I was back. The next thing I remember was we were getting ready to eat out; and everyone was in the car waiting for me. I had to run to the bathroom to relieve myself. I stayed in the loo longer than I expected. My niece came back to the house and asked me how long would I still be in the bathroom. She started getting impatient and through the shut door, she hollered at me and asked a stupid question. She asked if I accidentally did #2 in one corner of the house. It upset me and told her that there were strangers in her house, a couple and their kids running around like crazy and one of those kids could have done the unthinkable. The end of that dream.

The next dream was about a drive on the freeway. The driver of the car I was in was trying to overtake the car in front of us. In doing so, it caused a school bus on the left lane to swerve then hit the curb on our lane and then crossed over to the oncoming traffic lane and headed for a small town on the road and hit one of the houses. The school bus burst into flame and everyone on the freeway started checking the accident. 

Another dream this morning that I remember was about longing for a loved one who left. I started looking around the house and imagining the person as if he was still there. I checked the cupboards, the books, the bedrooms, the living room that reminded me of this person I was with for a long time. I could feel the sadness in my dream and it was intense. The next scene was in the bedroom with two strange women I've never met in my life. They were engaged in a conversation about the three beds in the bedroom. I told them, they can sleep anywhere but I picked a bed that I will sleep in and they can take the other two beds. They did not make a fuzz about my bed choice and was happy that they will have beds to sleep in.

I like to add another recent dream this week. The dream started in a big vacation house full of people. One of the persons I recognized was an actor named Ariel Rivera. He was nonchalantly checking the fridge for some food to eat. He looked very summery in blue, light, printed shirt and men's summer shorts. He seemed oblivious to all the commotions caused by the busy house guests. There were young teen girls who was getting ready for a show and wanted me to make sure the movie camera is working. I jokingly mentioned that I was an expert in taking movies; and I was trying to make the girls at ease and calm down by telling them stories. One of the girls whispered to a girl next to her that I'm Bohemian. I somehow heard the comments and I smiled and said, I am a Christian, a born again Christian. All the girls turned to me and gave me a look of wonderment. End of that dream.

I woke up this morning with a vivid dream so disturbing that I immediately prayed to God to reveal to me the meaning of that vision. I was so down stricken, a feeling of helplessness came within me.

My dream was about cutting ties and separation from someone I deeply love. I will not go into details about the identities of people in my dream. It involved people I closely know personally in life. In that dream, I was so distraught that the love of my life is leaving me just because he was influenced by what the other person had told him and he believed every word, damaging words against me. He wanted to hold on to me, but the stronghold that the person was on him was so great that he was under his "magic spell." He was blindly following every desire of this person to break up our union that has stood the test of time. I was so appalled and I tried to wake myself up as it was killing me inside.

I asked God for the meaning of the dream. God brought into my memory the prayer I had the night before. It was the answer to that prayer. He gave me wisdom and discernment that above all things, His love for us started His creation. It started a magnificent plan and purpose to deliver His creation from destruction. It is His love that Jesus was born. God spelled compassion in my heart. His message is to imitate His compassion when I become critical of others' lifestyle and belief system. Pray for them that are lost. God ignited the sleeping compassion in my heart. In so doing, God can reflect His love towards others. It will lead them to the knowledge of Jesus Christ- His birth, His crucifixion and His resurrection.  His love that He imputed in me might be the only one that the next person can see and lead the person to know Jesus and God.

That was how I came to truly know Jesus and God. It was not based on His commands and precepts. My spiritual awakening and revelation did not come because I was reading the Holy Bible, which I could not understand in the first place before I became a born again Christian. I did not have any interest in reading it and I was totally blindsided and I would stop Christians from their tracts who were trying to convert me. God led me to Him because He revealed His love for me. That no matter what I did sinful in my life, His arms are wide open to welcome me in His kingdom. God used one Holy Week to lead me to where I am now. His love and compassion brought me down to my knees and pursued Him and made me go after His own heart which started in the person of Jesus Christ. Someone must have prayed for me and whoever that was, I was blessed by it. God is big on prayers. He listens to sincere prayers and He blessed me and removed the veil covering my eyes. After that, the Holy Bible became real to me. God's words penetrating in my heart; every nook and cranny of what His words are conveying to me, they've become my life's manual.  Hebrews 4:12 tells us:
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And His love has started it all for me.

This Christmas, it has given me a new hope, a new outlook about the next person, just like the first time when I was a Christian newbie. That no matter when Jesus was born, the month or year is not as valuable to me than as to why He was born. It was the reason and the purpose as to why He was born. It was God's love that brought that Christmas baby in that humble manger. God cannot keep that big love for mankind to Himself. Christmas was brought about to light the world of His love for us. And if I can reflect that love to others; even how simple of a message I can bring to the next person, that's what matters to God. I have to always remember the story of  Jonah that however he tried to avoid God's intentions, God's purpose for him prevailed. As much as Jonah wanted for the destruction of the wicked people of Nineveh, God has other plans. God knew that the people of Nineveh will return back to Him and would change their ways, but a compassionate person has to be willing to encourage them and warn them of God's judgment in a subtle way. To point them to the ultimate love that God has for them. No matter how sinful they are, God is so merciful. His love endures forever.

This is the message of Christmas. His love through His Son reflected in the whole month of December. This one special event that we celebrate Jesus birth for the world to see.  The reflection of God's love that one has to pause and contemplate; whether life is so busy, so lonely, so depressing, so gloomy- the lights within Christians celebrating the love of God through His Son on Christmas day will somehow give them a ray of hope. That God's love, if they don't miss the point of the Christmas celebration, will penetrate in their hearts and think of God's love towards them.

These words from Jesus on John 8:32 of the Holy Bible have impacted my life; and still is today.

 God's love is freely given to us. God is so powerful that He can destroy this world He created if He decides to wipe us all out of this planet. He once did. God is a destroyer of sin. He loves the people He created but sins overcome the whole being of His creation, each one of them.

 That's why God is willing to have an intimate relationship with us. He is willing to guide our path all throughout our life so we can avoid the pitfalls as we travel this world. There are plenty of traps, most especially the invisible ones that can expose us and destroy us eventually. Just look around us today. Better yet, read the nation's news and the international news. Sinful nature of man is so clearly visible. Sins are running amok. They're deadly that few can survive the consequences. Sin can affect us physically and internally. There's no escape. Sin is like a plague- highly infectious and easily transmitted to anyone who is vulnerable to it. When we are emotionally weak and cannot control the mind and the heart, we become our own body's enemy.

 Since most of the world's population are not willing to seek God, people get destroyed because of their ignorance. Even the ones we thought are highly intellectual with their self righteous man made wisdom are not immuned. I believe they're the ones who get the worse outcomes in regards to sin.

 When Jesus was on earth two thousand years ago, the truth that would set us free from the snare of sin is what He brought with Him from heaven to teach us. The Roman empire at that time had seized most of the old European nations including the middle east; and this was the time when God came to earth, in the person of Jesus Christ, and in the small country known now as Israel.

 God saw that the earth is empowered by human sinfulness again after the flood in Noah's days. Sin was running amok once more that lingered until now. God knew sin will never go away in this world He created. Sin will continue to dominate this world, until such time when He ends evil in this world once and for all.

 Sin is self-centeredness in true form- love of self and we are all guilty of it.  Self-centeredness is the cause of all the ills of the world. Wars, murder, adultery/lust, gluttony, greed, wrath, pride and envy and many more sins, start in self-centeredness.

 In His teaching, Jesus emphasized that in all the commandments given by God, the greatest and foremost of them is to love God with all your heart and all your soul and with all your mind. And then Jesus said that second greatest command of God is to love your neighbor as you love yourself.

 If you think about it, we can never love people the way God loves humans. If we hope to have peace in this world, that is an impossible task as people are engrossed in doing what is good for them and nobody else. Therefore, this world is doomed as peace in every sense of the world and unconditional love for another are out of the question.

 That is why Jesus said to love God with all our hearts, souls and minds is the cornerstone of all the commandments of God.  Without the love for God in our lives, this world will continue to deteriorate based on our sinful nature.  If we try to seek and know God on our own, our effort is futile. God will never reveal His true self without us knowing and following Jesus first.  Without Jesus, our knowledge of God are all hearsays. Without the unconditional love and worship for God, He is separated from us and seems very distant, unforgiving and an angry God.

 Not until we surrender to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, our life here on earth is full of self-wants that would eventually would lead us lonely, depressed and ill-fated human beings.

 That is why Jesus said that He was on earth two thousand years ago to show us the way and give us life abundantly here on earth and an eternal life after death. Knowing Him will be like living waters flowing inside of us as we learn God's true nature and His wisdom on how to live based on God's will and purposes for our life which are all good for us and in such time when we join Him in heaven.

 That is why Jesus said that we can only see God and His Kingdom when we leave this earth only through Him. That is why Jesus said to know and follow Him and His teachings will set us free from what this dark world is teaching to make us stay in the dark and remain there and He said that staying in darkness has a worst price to pay after death. He warns us that there is a second eternal death when we don't have love for God. Jesus calls it Hades. Jesus spoke of this place many, many times in His teachings.

That is why Jesus wants to save us from Hades. What Jesus offers is redemption from our sins and salvation to eternal life. Jesus said that  although we will all die and leave this world, His saving grace will give us an abundant eternal life in His Father's God Kingdom which is heaven where Jesus also resides. 

Money Doesn't Talk

In Zephania's time some of the people of Judah were financially secure. However, Zephaniah had a message from the Lord for them on investing. Apparently, some of them had received a bad investment tip and were at risk of losing it all. Learn the lesson that some things cannot be bought at any price.

Personal Application - (This prophesy is still true to this day and applies to all of us)

Israel had silver and gold, but no holiness. God said that their riches would not help them when it came time to account for their sins (Zephaniah 1:18).

In this life, we often rely on money for a sense of security and power. When we are poor, we feel weak. When we are rich, we feel strong. But wealth doesn't make us right with God. Nor can it buy our salvation or influence God's will. At the final judgment our riches will be worthless.

If you're already rich, ask God to help you maintain a humble attitude, use what you have for His glory, and live righteously. If you're middle class or poor, rather than working to accumulate wealth, work at cultivating holiness. It's the one thing you can take with you when you die.

Bible Reading

Stand in silence in the presence of the Sovereign LORD, for the awesome day of the Lord's judgment has come. The LORD has prepared His people for a great slaughter and has chosen their executioners. "On that day of judgment," says the LORD, "I will punish the leaders and princes of Judah and all those following pagan customs. Yes, I will punish those who participate in pagan worship ceremonies, and those who steal and kill to fill their masters' homes with loot."

"I will search with lanterns in Jerusalem's darkest corners to find and punish those who sit contented in their sins, indifferent to the LORD, thinking He will do nothing at all to them. They are the very ones whose property will be plundered by the enemy, whose homes will be ransacked. They will never have a chance to live in the new homes they have built. They will never drink wine from the vineyards they have planted."

Your silver and gold will be of no use to you on that day of the Lord's anger. For the whole land will be devoured by the fire of His jealousy. He will make a terrifying end of all the people on earth.

Gather together and pray, you shameless nation. Gather while there is still time, before judgment begins and your opportunity is blown away like chaff. Act now, before the fierce fury of the LORD falls and the terrible day of the Lord's anger begins. Beg the LORD to save you -- all you who are humble, all you who uphold justice. Walk humbly and do what is right. Perhaps even yet the LORD will protect you from His anger on that day of destruction.

from the book of Zephaniah

One Year through the Bible, 365 great devotionals to lead you through God's life-changing Word in a year

Another dream I'm able to remember before waking up today, is quite amusing. In my dream, a former supervisor from my old job came barging in my house, a house I've never seen before. She handed me several documents to prove something that I already knew. She started snooping around the house from the first floor to the second floor. Her actions were not making me mad at first. I was more surprised why she even knew where I live. When I asked her, she said she followed me in her car. At this time, my friend and her sister from a choir I used to belong to at the old church I used to attend, came in and were totally disgusted of my former supervisor and told me that I should send her away. In short, shoo her out of the house. At this point, I was still not ready to get rid of my supervisor yet because I wanted to know the reason as to why she even spent so much time to even prepared documentations to prove something is true in her mind. The action was so weird to me.

But as she was getting more intrusive in the privacy of my own home, I've asked her to maybe it's time for her to leave. She run upstairs and stayed there for a while as my friends from the old church stared at me in disbelief as to why I was allowing all this rude behavior. I finally shouted out at my supervisor who was still upstairs and screamed at her to get down and asked her if she's ransacking my belongings to use against me.

Then I woke up. It woke me up feeling light-hearted.

"REM sleep is when you dream. If you wake up a person during REM sleep, the person can vividly recall dreams. If you wake up a person during NREM sleep, generally the person will not be dreaming.

You must have both REM and NREM sleep to get a good night's sleep. A normal person will spend about 25 percent of the night in REM sleep, and the rest in NREM. A REM session -- a dream -- lasts five to 30 minutes." from: How sleep works

"REM sleep usually begins after a period of deep sleep known as stage 4 sleep."

"You don't dream during the deepest part of your sleep cycle. The lighter your sleep is, the more likely you are to remember your dreams, which is why most dreams one can remember occur just before waking up.

Dreaming does not occur during NREM sleep. Dreaming occurs during the less deep REM state, and the dreams one remembers are generally the dreams which occur in the final REM stage which is just before waking. In other words, you are not in deep sleep when experiencing/remembering dreams.

Experts on dreams say that dreams have meanings and the prime basis is what's happening in your life. There are straight forward dreams, beautiful like paradise dreams and, also visions of unexplainable weird dreams.

This morning, I remember two dreams and woke me up both times. Needless to say, I did not get a well rested sleep as  my brain seemed to like to analyze the dream each time I woke up.

The first dream was in a place where I seemed to get off from a car to check a place that got my attention. I was so busy checking and buying things as I walked around the area when reality hit me that the car I was riding in was gone. I stood still and fear overcome me. How would I get back home? I was so fearful that I felt abandoned. Helpless, I did not know where to turn.

The second dream that was so vivid and realistic too was in a cheap hotel without any bed and furniture; just full of clothes scattered on the floor and some traveling bags. It seemed like I just woke up and started looking around. I noticed that my purse was empty. I checked my tote bag and realized I did not have anything in it, my wallet and my ID and credit cards were all gone. I panicked and run to the door and opened it and saw an old woman looking up to me and had a big grin on her face. I was trying to scream for help but no words came out from my mouth. I was so devastated and again helpless.

The second dream completely threw me off and made me wide awake. I could not seem to get back to sleep.

Dream experts said that whatever you were thinking just before you've gone to bed is what will manifest in your dream or dreams. Which is true in some of my dreams, but does not apply to these recent dreams. It could probably be a suppressed feelings I have in the back of my mind.

My dreams seem to be about abandonment and being alone; like all of what is mine are being stolen and I was left with nothing. In these dreams, there was nobody I knew in real life was around, like they just left me.

For one thing, I never liked the feeling of losing sleep the next morning. I only had about a six hours of sleep and I don’t like it one bit.

Power nap, here I come to join you later! Probably…

update 9/5/14: This Bible verse played in my mind yesterday in connection to these two dreams:

 Deuteronomy 31:6

⁶ “Be strong. Take courage. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He’s right there with you. He won’t let you down; he won’t leave you.”     The Message (MSG)