Topical Bible: Judgments: Misunderstood

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In the biblical context, the concept of judgment is often misunderstood, leading to confusion about its nature and purpose. The term "judgment" in the Bible encompasses a range of meanings, from God's righteous decrees to human discernment and decision-making. Understanding these nuances is crucial for a comprehensive grasp of biblical teachings.

Divine Judgment

Divine judgment is a central theme throughout Scripture, reflecting God's holiness, justice, and sovereignty. It is often perceived as punitive, yet it also serves as a means of correction and restoration. In the Old Testament, God's judgments are evident in events such as the Flood (Genesis 6-9) and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19). These acts demonstrate God's intolerance of sin and His commitment to righteousness.

The prophets frequently spoke of God's impending judgments as both warnings and calls to repentance. For instance, the prophet Isaiah declared, "For the LORD of Hosts will carry out the destruction decreed upon the whole land" (Isaiah 10:23). Such declarations were intended to lead the people back to faithfulness and obedience.

In the New Testament, divine judgment is further revealed through the teachings of Jesus Christ. He spoke of a final judgment where all individuals will be held accountable for their actions (Matthew 25:31-46). This eschatological perspective underscores the ultimate justice of God and the hope of eternal life for believers.

Human Judgment

Human judgment, as depicted in the Bible, involves discernment and decision-making based on God's standards. Believers are called to exercise righteous judgment, avoiding hypocrisy and self-righteousness. Jesus instructed, "Do not judge, or you will be judged" (Matthew 7:1), emphasizing the importance of humility and self-examination.

The Apostle Paul also addressed the issue of judgment among believers, urging them to resolve disputes within the church rather than seeking secular courts (1 Corinthians 6:1-6). He encouraged the exercise of wisdom and discernment, guided by the Holy Spirit, to maintain unity and righteousness within the body of Christ.

Misunderstandings of Judgment

Misunderstandings about judgment often arise from a failure to distinguish between divine and human judgment or from a misinterpretation of biblical texts. Some perceive God's judgments as harsh or unjust, overlooking His mercy and desire for repentance. Others may misuse the concept of judgment to justify condemnation or legalism, contrary to the spirit of grace and forgiveness taught by Christ.

The Bible warns against judging others superficially or hypocritically. Jesus' admonition to "remove the plank from your own eye" (Matthew 7:5) serves as a reminder to approach judgment with humility and self-awareness. Believers are called to judge righteously, with love and compassion, reflecting God's character.

Conclusion

Understanding the biblical concept of judgment requires a careful examination of Scripture, recognizing the balance between God's justice and mercy. By discerning the differences between divine and human judgment, believers can navigate the complexities of this topic and live in accordance with God's will.

Nave's Topical Index

Jeremiah 16:10
And it shall come to pass, when you shall show this people all these words, and they shall say to you, Why has the LORD pronounced all this great evil against us? or what is our iniquity? or what is our sin that we have committed against the LORD our God?
Nave's Topical Index

Joel 2:17
Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare your people, O LORD, and give not your heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: why should they say among the people, Where is their God?
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Library

The Final Unmasking.
... The judgments also of imagined superiority are hard to bear. ... Still more satisfactory
will be the unveiling where a man is misunderstood by those who ought to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/unspoken sermons/the final unmasking.htm

The Beatific vision. (Continued. )
... eternity of His duration, in the abysses of his unsearchable judgments, in the ... closing
this chapter, I must remark, for fear of being misunderstood, that when ...
/.../boudreaux/the happiness of heaven/chapter iii the beatific vision.htm

Order of Proof.
... misunderstood. Concerning these things, therefore, proofs will be properly demanded.
For we apostles are sent to expound the sayings and affirm the judgments ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter xxxiv order of proof.htm

The Revelation of John
... having seven vials or bowls containing the last plagues or judgments of God. ... name
thus absolutely to designate himself without fear of being misunderstood, viz ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the revelation of john.htm

Salvation: Grace: Faith
... 'Thy judgments are a great deep,' and deeper than the judgments is the ... that not of
yourselves it is the gift of God.' They have often been misunderstood, as if ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/salvation grace faith.htm

Letter xi. --The Impressions of the Holy Spirit.
... but you explain yourself in a manner that might be misunderstood by those ... and following
the example of Jesus Christ, suspicions, rash judgments, envy, jealousy ...
/.../abandonment to divine providence/letter xi the impressions of the.htm

Exposition of Chap. Iii. (ii. 28-32. )
... fear which might arise in believers when considering the judgments which threaten ...
The defenders of such a view have altogether misunderstood the structure of ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/exposition of chap iii ii.htm

Job's Faith and Expectation
... writers have supplied this want according to their different judgments, and from ...
of discussing a point, very important, and by too many misunderstood; I mean ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xxxix jobs faith and.htm

The Scales of Judgment
... if the very laws of society exclude you"if the imperfect judgments of earth ... are far
better tests for men, tests which are not so easily to be misunderstood. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the scales of judgment.htm

The Books of the Old Testament as a Whole. 1 the Province of ...
... of the Holy Spirit, can be taught without the danger of its being misunderstood
in a ... Amos 5:21-24; Micah 6:6-8"denounced upon them the awful judgments of God ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xviii the books of.htm