Week 3

Judgment Day

Have you ever told someone that they need to change something about the way they are living, but if you turned the mirror back on yourself, the reflection would be just as ugly?

James Chapter 4 has some very interesting commentary about our criticisms and judgments on others. When we cast judgment we degrade the trust and respect of those we care about, those we work with, those we attend church with. It breeds anger and bitterness and sets the focus on us. We become self-centered. As humans, especially the male species, we take credit when credit is due and shift the blame for failures from us to others. We define ourselves by successes and want to be recognized, but we blame others for failures and distance ourselves from responsibility and accountability. We JUDGE ourselves by our intentions, yet we expect others to live by their actions. It doesn’t work that way.

So what are you critical of?

What is something you take more credit for than you should and judge others based upon?

Our own self confidence can be a root of sin in our lives. Confidence is not bad, until it comes between us and the plans God has for us. Verses 13-16 of James 4 drive home our own earthly ways of over boasting about ourselves. Our own plans get in the way of Gods plans and then we doubt the plans of others. Instead of searching for the flaws in other’s plans, we must seek God’s and help others with theirs.

What does God want to use you for?

Where do you need to seek Him for your future plans and who can encourage you in those plans?

Ever been paralyzed by fear or failure and not done something for God or yourself? I have. It makes me want to punch myself in the face. James 4:17 says it all. It is written on our hearts at birth the inherent truths of living. When we come into relationship with God, those truths become even clearer, yet we tend not to listen to God sometimes. We challenge God all the time when our conscience, or more so, the Spirit, prompts us to do what is right.

What things do you need to be doing to serve God better?

What things don’t you need to be doing to serve God better?

What is the last thing God lead you to do and you didn’t?

What is God leading you to do now?

Life is full of decisions that we must make. When we are centered on God and His plans, we will always follow His direction and not ours. The both can coincide, I guarantee it. We just may not like the path to get there or the result, but remember that it is His.

Jeremiah

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