THE JUDGE NOT PHILOSOPHY REFUTED -

WHEN SHOULD WE JUDGE AND REBUKE?

Many people who aren't even Christians know at least one verse of the Bible: "Judge
not, that ye be not judged!" (or as many like to say, "Judge not, lest ye be judged" or
"Thou shalt not judge!" neither of which occurs anywhere in the Bible.)
Many professing Christians like to quote this verse as well when confronted with their
own sin, error, or worldliness. So are we, as Christians, never supposed to judge anyone?
Are we not supposed to confront people about their sin? What about judging
unbelievers? What about false prophets? Is there a right way and a wrong way to judge?
This Bible study will answer those questions and more.

PART 1 - RIGHTEOUS VS HYPOCRITICAL JUDGMENT

"[1] Judge not, that ye be not judged."
- Matthew 7:1
Seems pretty straight forward right? or is there more to this verse? Lets read what is
written after this:
"[2] For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye
mete, it shall be measured to you again.
[3] And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not
the beam that is in thine own eye?
[4] Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and,
behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
[5] Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see
clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye."
- Matthew 7:2-5
Upon reading the following verses it becomes clear that, IN CONTEXT, these verses are
talking about HYPOCRITICAL judgment. This is why Jesus says after you cast the beam
out of your own eye(examine, repent, and deal with your own problems first) you will be
able to clearly see the mote(a small particle) in your brother's eye. He says to cast it out!
That means you would have to JUDGE your brother by TELLING HIM about the mote,
which is a symbol for his sin or error! So does the Bible actually say it is okay to judge
sometimes? Let's look:
"[24] Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment."
- John 7:24
The Bible tells us to JUDGE RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT. Which means do not judge
hypocritically or by appearance, but nevertheless, we ARE told to judge. Rightous
judgment is to judge according to the standards of the Bible as to what is right and
wrong.
Let's look at more verses talking about hypocritical judgment:
"[1] Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for
wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the
same things.
[2] But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which
commit such things.
[3] And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest
the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?"
- Romans 2:1-3
Verse 3 reiterates the same warning about hypocritical judgment. It asks if you are
committing the same sins you are confronting someone else about. The warning is a
stern reminder that no one will escape judgment in the end. A little later in the chapter
the warning against hypocritical judgment is repeated:
"[21] Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that
preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?
[22] Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery?
thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?"
- Romans 2:21,22
If you are a thief and you tell someone they shouldn't steal you are a hypocrite. Your
words are meaningless to the person you are warning and to God. We can't warn people
of the dangers of sin when we are committing those very sins we preach against.
"[31] For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
[32] But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be
condemned with the world."
- I Corinthians 11:31,32
If we judge(examine and repent) ourselves(take the beam out of our own eyes), we will
not be judged. This helps us to not be hypocrites. Whenever we are judged by the Lord,
we need to know that the chastening of the Lord helps us to turn from sin, change, and
grow. If we grow from the Lord's chastening(judgment) we will not be condemned with
the world(unrepentant humanity). If we judge ourselves before God can chasten us, He
won't need to do it.
"[16] Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or
of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
[17] Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ."
- Colossians 2:16,17
We shouldn't judge trivial things, omitting weightier matters, like what our brothers eat,
drink, and what day they choose to worship.(This does not mean overlook the pagan
catholic rituals of Christmas and Easter which are not "holydays") Jesus rebuked the
Pharisees for being overly concerned about things of little importance:
"[23] Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise
and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and
faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
[24] Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel."
- Matthew 23:23,24
If you judge, do not strain at a gnat or try to swallow a camel, which are just metaphors
for not squabbling over matters of little importance and being a nitpicking Pharisee that
jumps all over everyone for every tiny thing. Righteous judgement doesn't mean we
need to act like this. We need to have charity and patience with people.
"[15] But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man."
- I Corinthians 2:15
If you are spiritual, you will judge ALL things. The Bible also says, "Prove all things". You
judge everything in light of the word of God. You compare every doctrine or practice
that is taught to the word of God. You prove with the scriptures what is true or false,
good or bad. You don't make judgements based off of feelings, traditions, or what other
people think.
No man should be able to judge you though because you should be living according to
the Word of God. You should strive to be blameless.

PART 2 - REPROVING AND REBUKING

"[2] Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with
all longsuffering and doctrine.
[3] For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own
lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
[4] And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."
- II Timothy 4:2-4
The Bible prophesied of a time to come when many Christians would not have sound
doctrine. The Bible says that many would not want to hear the truth, but rather want to
hear things that make them feel good about themselves and things that would fill them
with pride. Many will turn to fables(false doctrine/"Christian fiction") and false
teachers(prosperity gospel,cults, Hebrew roots, etc.) in order to appeal to their own
lusts and desires. This prophecy has already come true and is getting worse each day.
It is for this reason that we MUST preach the word(spread the Gospel of salvation
through Jesus Christ, and preach the whole Bible. Preach it and live it.);
be instant in season and out of season(always ready to do these things no matter
where, when, or how we feel);
to reprove - REPROVE, verb transitive [Latin reprobo; re and probo, to prove.]
1. To blame; to censure.
I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices - Psalms 50:8.
2. To charge with a fault to the face; to chide; to reprehend. Luke 3:19.
3. To blame for; with of; as, to reprove one of laziness.
4. To convince of a fault, or to make it manifest. John 16:8.

rebuke - REBU'KE, verb transitive [See Pack and Impeach.]

1. To chide; to reprove; to reprehend for a fault; to check by reproof.
Thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbor. Leviticus 19:17.
4. To check; to silence.
Master, rebuke thy disciples. Luke 19:39.
What is chide? CHIDE, verb transitive
1. To scold at; to reprove; to utter words in anger, or by way of disapprobation; to
rebuke; as, to chide one for his faults.
So rebuke is stronger and more stern than reprove.

exhort - EXHORT', verb transitive egzhort'. [Latin exhortor; ex and hortor, to encourage,
to embolden, to cheer, to advise. The primary sense seems to be to excite or to give
strength, spirit or courage.]
1. To incite by words or advice; to animate or urge by arguments to a good deed or to
any laudable conduct or course of action.
I exhort you to be of good cheer. Acts 27:22.
Young men also exhort to be sober minded.

with all longsuffering(continuing to do these things everyday patiently)

LONG'SUF'FERING, adjective Bearing injuries or provocation for a long time; patient; not
easily provoked.
The Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering and abundant in goodness. Exodus
34:6.

and doctrine(the standards, commandments, and teachings of the Word of God).

 If no one is preserving the word of God by correcting fellow Christians in error, what will
stop the wholesale apostasy of the entire world? :
"[8] I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man
cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?"
- Luke 18:8

Many will fall away from the faith(false converts). We must hold true to the faith until
our Lord returns.
"[12] Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
[13] But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being
deceived.
[14] But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of,
knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
[15] And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make
thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
[16] All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for
reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
[17] That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."
- II Timothy 3:12-17
"[13] Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine."
- I Timothy 4:13
"[15] Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be
ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
[16] But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more
ungodliness."
- II Timothy 2:15,16
"[28] The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked
poureth out evil things."
- Proverbs 15:28
The biggest danger in these last days is deception. Things willl get worse and more and
more people will deceive and be deceived. To protect ourselves from these things we
need to continue in the faith by studying the Scriptures and keep others from deception
by reproving and correcting them with the Scriptures. Let the word of God always be the
measuring stick for truth and let it always have the final word in any situation.

"[22] And of some have compassion, making a difference:

[23] And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment
spotted by the flesh.
[24] Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless
before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
[25] To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both
now and ever. Amen."
- Jude 1:22-25
Some people need gentle and compassionate correction. These are the humble, the
contrite, the poor in spirit, the brokenhearted. Others need a sharp rebuke. These are
the proud, the arrogant, the haughty, the self righteous Pharisees. Judge each situation
as they come and decide what kind of correction someone needs.

"[11] For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
[12] Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly,
righteously, and godly, in this present world;
[13] Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our
Saviour Jesus Christ;
[14] Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto
himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
[15] These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise
thee."
- Titus 2:11-15
We need to speak the truth, rebuke, and exhort no matter what anyone thinks or says
about us. This is a pastoral epistle, but anyone that rebukes with authority gets their
authority from the word of God alone.

"[20] Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear."
- I Timothy 5:20
Sometimes if a brother is sinning in the open and is proud and unrepentant they need to
be rebuked in front of the church so that they will be ashamed of their sin and turn from
it. This should also warn other Christians who see this to abstain from sin. The result is
supposed to be "that others also may fear".

"[23] He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth
with the tongue."
- Proverbs 28:23
It is better to tell someone the truth than to flatter them and pretend like everything is
alright. Flattery and candy coating things are signs of a fake friend.

"[5] Open rebuke is better than secret love.

[6] Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful."
- Proverbs 27:5,6
A true friend will tell you the truth no matter how much it hurts. There are many who
will tell you lies to stroke your ego so they can take advantage of you.

"[17] Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy
neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him."
- Leviticus 19:17
If you see your brother in sin and don't rebuke him it means you hate him because you
are "suffering" him to sin and not warning him so he can escape damnation or reproach
as a Christian.
Rebuking your neighbor for their sin is loving them, but also you must make sure you do
itt he right way and have the right motivation when doing this:
"[14] That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with
every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in
wait to deceive;
[15] But speaking the truth in love..." - Ephesians 4:14,15
The truth must be spoken in love, not in a nasty self-righteous arrogant way.

"[7] He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a
wicked man getteth himself a blot.
[8] Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
[9] Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he
will increase in learning."
- Proverbs 9:7-9
Let's look at the definition of "scorn": –verb (used with object)
4. to treat or regard with contempt or disdain: They scorned the old beggar.
5. to reject, refuse, or ignore with contempt or disdain: She scorned my help.
–verb (used without object)
6. to mock; jeer.
7. laugh to scorn, to ridicule; deride: Her good advice was laughed to scorn.
Don't waste time reproving a scorner, a mocker, a scoffer because it will do nothing. In
fact the Bible says a scorner will hate you if you waste time rebuking them. We preach
the Gospel to every creature and give everyone the truth, but if someone responds to
that truth with nothing but mockery and contempt, we must not continue to rebuke
them because it will not do anything.
"They hate him that rebuketh in the gate, and they abhor him that speaketh uprightly." -
Amos 5:10

"[5] It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools."
- Ecclesiastes 7:5
Many Christians today listen to the "song of fools" rather than the rebuke of a wise man.

"[11] Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and
judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the
law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.
[12] There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest
another?"
- James 4:11,12
Speaking evil of someone is not rebuking. That's just talking trash. If the goal is not to
correct someone so they can repent, but instead to tear their name and reputation
down, then you are speaking evil. You should also never say something about that
brother behind their back instead of to their face.

"[1] Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father;

[19] Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses."
- I Timothy 5:1,19
Elders in the Church who have been Christians for many years need to be treated with
the utmost respect. An elder can be a pastor, but elders also refer to older Christian
saved for many years. Before an elder is rebuked, it needs to be well established that
they are in the wrong and are totally unrepentant, then you may proceed with the 2 or 3
witnesses.

---
HE THAT IS WITHOUT SIN, CAST THE FIRST STONE
One last example is the woman caught in adultery. Many people like to quote the part of this
passage "let him that is without sin, cast the first stone" without reading or quoting the rest of
the story! Yes, Jesus showed mercy on this woman in not having her put to death by stoning
which was the penalty for the sin of adultery under the law of Moses. The problem was the fact
that the law said THE MAN who committed adultery with the woman was to be put to death as
well(Leviticus 20:10) and he was no where to be found! The scribes and Pharisees were trying to
trick Jesus because if He said put her to death, He would be breaking the law because the man
who sinned with her was not there or if Jesus said don't put her to death He would be saying
adultery was okay and go against the law. Instead Jesus showed how the scribes and Pharisees
were hypocrites because they broke the law all the time and were hypocrites for wanting this
woman stoned for her sin.

The ending of this story is also almost NEVER TOLD! What did Jesus say to the woman after
everyone left?: "...GO, AND SIN NO MORE."(John 8:11)! He was telling her that adultery is a SIN,
she needed to REPENT and believe on Him as the Son of God, and not continue to commit this
sin(Romans 6:1,2)!

PART 3 - ACCOUNTABILITY AND SEPARATION

"[15] Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault
between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
[16] But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth
of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
[17] And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear
the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican."
- Matthew 18:15-17
This shows the process you need to follow when a brother wrongs you and how to go
about confronting them. If they do not repent after this process then they are to be
considered an unbeliever.
Note that this is the process for church discipline when a Christian sins against another
Christian in the church. If a Christian sins against you who is not part of your church, you
are obligated to confront him face to face about his sin as it says in the next passage we
will look at in Luke 17.
Also, just because this process of church discipline refers to dealing with those who have
sinned against another brother in the church, does not mean someone who us accused
of some other sin that has not directly affected someone in the church can just be kicked
out without being confronted face to face by the church and given an opportunity to
repent.

"[3] Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he
repent, forgive him.
[4] And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn
again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him."
- Luke 17:3,4
The key word here is IF: "if he repent". No matter how many times a brother trespasses
against us we need to forgive them IF THEY ARE SORRY AND REPENT. It does NOT say," If
thy brother trespass against thee, just forgive him." If you just forgive someone without
them being sorry, how will they learn and why would they feel the need to not wrong
you again? When a brother wrongs you, they NEED to be confronted.
By forgive, I mean to restore fellowship. If someone sins against you and refuses to
repent, we must forgive from the heart so as not to have a root of bitterness. We must
let go of feelings of revenge and anger towards that person.

"[9] I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:

[10] Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or
extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.
[11] But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a
brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an
extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
[12] For what have I to do to judge them also that are without*? do not ye judge them
that are within**?
[13] But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves
that wicked person."
- I Corinthians 5:9-13
*unbelievers **believers
There's that word judge again.
We can't avoid being around sinnners. We would have to leave this world to not be
around sinners. We are supposed to be around sinners so that we can witness the
Gospel to them, but we are not to partake of the same sins that they do.
This must be done in an uncompromising way, but we are NOT to judge unbelievers by
telling them how horrible they are, calling them names, putting them down, and acting
like you never did anything wrong in your life. We cannot expect lost people to live up to
the standards of the Bible while they are dead in their sin and not born again. We simply
speak the truth and live the truth as an example.
If someone professes Christ by calling themself a Christian and is living in sin they need
to be confronted. If they refuse correction then you should not fellowship with them and
hang around them. If you do hang out with them you are ruining your own testimony
and you are approving their behavior to them and to unbelievers.
When it comes to your family and this situation, I don't believe we need to separate
from our family the same way we would another professing Christian. If your close
family professes Christ, but lives in sin, you will need to set standards and boundaries
with them. This includes not allowing discussion of the Bible unless they are willing to
listen and be corrected on their sin and error. You need to make sure you do not
compromise, but allow for some neutral time with family and show them love.
If they choose to separate from you because of your standards, then that is a different
story. That is a cross we may have to bear. But we do not need to just cut them off if they
desire to spend time with us.

"[14] And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no
company with him, that he may be ashamed.
[15] Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother."
- II Thessalonians 3:14,15
ADMON'ISH, verb transitive [Latin admoneo, ad and moneo, to teach, warn, admonish ]
1. To warn or notify of a fault; to reprove with mildness.
Count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. 2 Thessalonians 3:15.
If a fellow Christian is not living in obedience to the word of God and refuses correction,
you need to tell fellow Christians about this person and do not fellowship with them.
Hopefully after this happens it will make them repent and change their ways.

"[10] A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;
[11] Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of
himself."
- Titus 3:10,11
If someone is deceived and believes in heretical false doctine, they need to be
confronted. The Bible says after you confront them the second time, you need to stop
and do not fellowship with them anymore. It is pointless to continue to argue with
someone who won't listen to sound instruction from a faithful brother.

PART 4 - CONTEND FOR THE FAITH (FALSE PROPHETS AND TEACHERS)

"[1] Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our
gathering together unto him,
[2] That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word,
nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
[3] Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there
come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
[4] Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is
worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is
God."
- II Thessalonians 2:1-4
Before the antichrist is revealed, many professing Christians will fall away from the faith.
Most of Christianity will disappear from the earth.(Albert Pike said this) There have
been, are, and will be many false prophets and teachers who have helped this to
happen. Some false teachers deceive ignorantly, some are wolves in sheep's clothing,
working for Satan, and deceive on purpose. Let's read Jesus' warnings about this:
"[15] Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they
are ravening wolves."
- Matthew 7:15
"[16] Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as
serpents, and harmless as doves."
- Matthew 10:16
"[3] And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately,
saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and
of the end of the world?
[4] And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
[24] For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and
wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect."
- Matthew 24:3,4,24
The first thing Jesus says about the end of the world is "Take heed that no man deceive
you." This is the most important warning from Jesus about the end times. The deception
will be so widespread and subtle that even the very elect can be deceived if they do not
diligently study the word of God and live it. Let's look at some more warnings about false
prophets and teachers:

"[13] For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the
apostles of Christ.
[14] And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
[15] Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of
righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works."
- II Corinthians 11:13-15
"[4] And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy
out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
[5] To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the
gospel might continue with you."
- Galatians 2:4,5
"[1] But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false
teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord
that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
[2] And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth
shall be evil spoken of.
[3] And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you:
whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
[17] These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the
mist of darkness is reserved for ever.
[18] For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of
the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live
in error.
[19] While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption:
for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage."
- II Peter 2:1-3,17-19

Now that we know of the dangers of false prophets/teacher/brethren, what do we do

about it?
"[3] Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was
needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for
the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
[4] For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this
condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and
denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ."
- Jude 1:3-4
Because of all the false prophets and false doctrine we need to earnestly contend for the
faith once delivered to the saints. Contend means to strive, to struggle in opposition
against, to defend and preserve. This means always having a scriptural answer for
everyone and correcting brothers who are in error. It means pointing out false prophets
and teachers and warning others of their dangerous teachings. Some will say you are
"judging" them, but that is because they don't want to hear the truth.

"[6] Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole
lump?
[7] Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are
unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:"
- I Corinthians 5:6,7
A little leaven can ruin an entire Church. Jesus explains to us what leaven represents:
"[6] Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees
and of the Sadducees.
[11] How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that
ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?
[12] Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread,
but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees."
- Matthew 16:6,11,12
Leaven is false doctrine(or sin) and it can affect a church a lot more dramatically than
you think. Purge out the leaven by confronting brothers who believe false doctrine and
marking and rebuking false teachers.

"[1] Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God:
because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
[2] Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is
come in the flesh is of God:
[3] And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of
God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and
even now already is it in the world."
- I John 4:1-3
We need to test people who are or claim to be teachers and prophets. One way of
testing them is to see if they teach that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. Any false
doctrine taught about who Jesus is and what He did is heresy. Everything they say should
be compared to the word of God to see if it is true or not.

"[10] For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the
circumcision:
[11] Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which
they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.
[12] One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars,
evil beasts, slow bellies.
[13] This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the
faith;"
- Titus 1:10-13
Vain talkers and deceivers must be stopped. The only way to stop them is to rebuke
them sharply. This passage specifially refers to the Judaizers which would be the Hebrew
Roots teachers today.

"[17] Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences
contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
[18] For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by
good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple."
- Romans 16:17,18
We need to mark those false teachers who sound like they know the Bible(even though
they really don't) and are great speakers and avoid them. Their charisma and hyped up
preaching can deceive unlearned Christians easily.

"[11] And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove
them.
[12] For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
[13] But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever
doth make manifest is light."
- Ephesians 5:11-13
Whether one of Satan's workers is pretending to be a Christian or not, they need to be
exposed and reproved so that their deception and evil work is made known. We cannot
be ignorant of the methods Satan uses to deceive and manipulate us:
"[11] Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices."
- II Corinthians 2:11
"[6] My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge:"
- Hosea 4:6

PART 5 - JUDGING SITUATIONS

"[57] Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?"
- Luke 12:57
"[40] And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And
he saith, Master, say on.
[41] There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred
pence, and the other fifty.
[42] And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore,
which of them will love him most?
[43] Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said
unto him, Thou hast rightly judged."
- Luke 7:40-43
Everyday we have to judge a wide range of situations from small matters to highly
important. The way we judge situations should be determined by what we have learned
in the word of God. Simon Peter judged this situation rightly because of his knowledge
of the scriptures.
"[1] Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and
not before the saints?
[2] Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be
judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
[3] Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this
life?
[4] If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who
are least esteemed in the church.
[5] I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one
that shall be able to judge between his brethren?
[6] But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.
[7] Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with
another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be
defrauded?
[8] Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren."
- I Corinthians 6:1-8
We as Christians should be able to judge situations ourselves and not have to go to a
secular courtroom to settle a dispute. We shall judge the world. We shall judge angels.
Certainly doesn't sound like "judge not" to me.

PART 6 - CHASTENING OF THE LORD

"[5] And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children,
My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of
him:
[6] For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he
receiveth.
[7] If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom
the father chasteneth not?
[8] But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards,
and not sons.
[9] Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them
reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
[10] For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our
profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
[11] Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous:
nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which
are exercised thereby.
[12] Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
[13] And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the
way; but let it rather be healed."
- Hebrews 12:5-13
Before you ever open your mouth to correct someone else you need to first take a look
at yourself. When the Lord judges you and chastens you, you need to humble yourself,
repent, and change. This is the only way to grow strong in the Lord and will open your
eyes to be able to help correct your brothers.
To those who are not chastened when they sin, it may seem like life is great when you go
without chastening from the Lord, but that will not yield the fruit of righteousness. If ye
be without chastisement, you are a bastard, which means an illegitimate child, not born
again, not adopted by God. Another definition of bastard is:
2. Spurious; ; not genuine; false; supposititious; adulterate. In this sense, it is applied to
things which resemble those which are genuine, but are really not genuine; as a
bastard hope, bastard honors.
"[19] As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent."
- Revelation 3:19
If you are rebuked by the Lord you need to know that it's because He loves you. He
doesn't want you to continue in sin or error.
"[11] When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to
consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. "
- Psalm 39:11
When the Lord rebukes you he is making your pride diminish. When we get vain the Lord
will deflate our ego.

"[7] Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not
away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
[8] And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of
judgment:
[9] Of sin, because they believe not on me;
[10] Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
[11] Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged."
- John 16:7-11
The Holy Spirit will reprove and convict us of our sin so that we can repent. He will judge
us and show us the path to righteousness if we humble ourselves and listen.
CONCLUSION
"[46] I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide
in darkness.
[47] And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to
judge the world, but to save the world.
[48] He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the
word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
[49] For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a
commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
[50] And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore,
even as the Father said unto me, so I speak."
- John 12:46-50
In the end it will be the word of God which judges us all. If we read it, heard it, or both
and refused to listen, we condemned ourselves. When you correct someone, make sure
it comes straight from the word of God and that it comes from a place of love and
concern.