Judging with a Good Spirit

All Christians would benefit from knowing what the gift of prophecy is and what it is not. They would also benefit from knowing the difference in prophetic words spoken by a true prophet and the gift of prophecy. While we are at it, they would also benefit by knowing the difference in a true prophet and a false prophet.

There are false prophets at work in the Church, and because people are afraid to judge, they are wreaking havoc on parts of the Church. One of the things that keeps innocent people from judging is a sincere but definite misunderstanding about Matthew 7:1. False prophets love to control people with a misunderstanding about judging and about spiritual authority. Matthew 7:1 is a wonderful truth of God when rightly divided, but a devastating tool for Satan when wrongly divided. Matthew 7:1 and 1 Corinthians 5 and 6, rightly divided, would greatly help protect the body of Christ from Satan's ministers disguised as ministers of righteousness.

There is a place to call names, but just as some are too quick to shout, "Do not judge," others are too quick to condemn and call names. They are actually right sometimes with what they are saying, but they are wrong in their own spirit. That is what Matthew 7:1 is about—it teaches not to have a bad, judgmental spirit. The lesson to be learned is this: Get your own spirit right, and then you can apply 1 Corinthians 5 and 6.

Others have been fed cheap grace and sloppy love, and they are blind to the truth that false prophets do need to be exposed and judged. Oftentimes, they are so blinded that they cannot recognize or admit that someone is a false prophet or teacher. One thing to remember, though, is that a minister can be wrong without being false. Another thing to know and remember is that a little leaven ministered by a real minister is very harmful to the Church.

Let's get our own spirits right with God. Let's identify the false prophets and false teachings. But let's not be guilty of having a bad attitude and a critical spirit. On the other hand, let's not be guilty of picking and choosing Scriptures and looking at things through rose-colored glasses. Let's put Matthew 7:1 together with 1 Corinthians 5 and 6. We need disciples who are balanced and mature, and who can discern between good and evil. Survival depends on it! Be careful of religious spirits!