Did Jesus Come to Judge?

Both believers and unbelievers have huge Misunderstandings about Judgment. Sometimes when a Christian explains God's commands, we hear this rebuke:

"John 3:17 says, 'God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world.' If Jesus didn't judge anyone, neither should we."

Those who use this rebuke have failed to study that verse in context.

In the verses immediately following verse 17, Jesus judges both sin and sinners (John 3:18-20). 

In fact, in John 9:39, Jesus says, "For judgment I have come into this world."  

Is this a contradiction?

No!

First, we should note that John 3:17 uses the word condemn in most translations, and John 9:39 uses the word judgment. There's a difference. 

John 3:17 explains that Jesus' mission was not to condemn us to Hell. We are already condemned to Hell apart from Christ. His mission was to warn us of condemnation so we could turn to Him and be saved.

And a necessary part of His mission was to judge our sins and warn us to repent. 

Jesus came to judge and save, not condemn.  

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To read about the misuse of Matthew 7:1 in rebuking Christians who talk about sin, see "Judge Not."

Other posts that have helpful insights into this subject:

Talking About Sin

Shame Leads to Grace

I encourage you to check out the Wisdom for Life Devotional. It contains 100 one-minute devotions to challenge, encourage, instruct, and inspire your love for God's Word. Read the story behind Wisdom for Life HERE. And find out about the two free Bible studies with purchase HERE. You can read the first four devotions in the book by clicking "look inside" on Lifeway or Amazon. In addition, you can buy the book in Kindle format on Amazon and as an ebook on other sites.

 

I also encourage you to sign up for a free subscription to Bible Love Notes and get a free e-booklet. Find out more HERE.

 

 

BLN

Psychology, Boundaries, Marijuana, or Scripture?

Dear Christians, if we don’t prepare our minds in God’s Word, we’ll be deceived by ungodly influences (1 Peter 1:13-16; 2 Corinthians 11:3). God’s enemy is reigning in our world, and we must quit trying to incorporate human philosophies into our thinking (Colossians 2:8).

Let’s look at a popular example: 

Scripture teaches that each of us is born a sinner with a fallen human nature. It is natural for us to choose sin, and Christ alone can transform our hearts and minds (Romans 3:23; Romans 5:12-17). 

 

Psychology teaches that we are born innocent and shaped by our circumstances. Because of this false foundation, psychology bends with culture. 

 

Psychologists once taught that it was healthy to develop mature people skills. Now they encourage cutting off people who don’t feed our egos sufficiently (e.g., Boundaries teachings). They once promoted self-control. Now they promote self-esteem. They once helped homosexuals find freedom from their unhealthy lifestyle, but in 1973 they removed homosexuality from their Manual of Mental Disorders.

Yesterday while doing some research, I came across a Psychology Today article called Debunking a Key Myth About Marijuana. It concluded, “Overall, the research suggests that many of the qualms people have with weed smokers may not be based in reality.” The article could not deny evidence that marijuana has negative results in people’s lives. But it was clearly trying to bring acceptance to a vice made popular by culture. 

 

If we want to pollute and compromise our lives, we can try mixing human philosophies with our faith. If we want to purify and restore our lives, we can open our Bibles and seek God for our answers.

Let's stand firm, dear Christians.

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Check out today's Bite Size Bible Study: Why Psychology and Theology Don't Mix. 

Important Notes:

Psychological teachings are extremely popular with culture and with Christians who lack discernment. And these false teachings are especially successful with Christians if they incorporate a few scriptural principles along with the errors. Why are they popular? Because they feed the desires of our fallen human nature.

 

Henry Cloud, the author of the popular "Christian" Boundaries books admits that two Freudian concepts shaped his teaching and counseling, and Freud was clearly an atheist. See Are Henry Cloud's Boundaries Teachings Biblical?.

 

But that doesn't keep Boundaries and Boundaries spin-offs from being hugely popular with Christians. Lysa TerKeurst's book Good Boundaries and Good Byes is in the top 20 best-selling books in Christian Women's Issues on Amazon, and she describes her book this way: “Psychology and our understanding of the Bible work hand in hand. So, I needed someone who knew the Bible and psychology so that I could tend well to my spiritual and emotional health.” See Beware of Boundaries Spin-Offs.

 

TerKeurst is right in seeing psychology as a philosophy we won't find in Scripture. Her error is thinking it can be combined with scriptural principles. If we believe we need psychology in order to find spiritual and emotional health, we're underestimating God's Word and falling for cultural propaganda.

BLN

Trash Talk versus Truth Talk

Trash talk and smack talk are relatively new terms, but the practice has been around a long time. Goliath, for example (1 Samuel 17).

He trash-talked David this way:

“Am I a dog,” he roared at David, “that you come at me with a stick?” And he cursed David by the names of his gods. “Come over here, and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and wild animals!” Goliath yelled. 1 Samuel 17:41-44

But Goliath was more than trash talk. 

He was the nine-foot champion of the Philistines whose armor weighed more than David (17:4-7). 

He'd taunted Israel eighty times before meeting David (17:16).

However, David didn't need trash talk because he had TRUTH TALK: "I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty" (17:45).

What battle are you fighting today? What giant taunts you?
You don’t need to handle it with your own power, intellect or weapons.

And you don’t need to trash-talk because you can Truth Talk.

Let God fight for you and bring down your Goliaths.
Top Image source.

I encourage you to check out the Wisdom for Life Devotional. It contains 100 one-minute devotions to challenge, encourage, instruct, and inspire your love for God's Word: Wisdom for Life. Read the story behind Wisdom for Life HERE. And find out about the two free Bible studies with purchase HERE. You can read the first 4 devotions in the book by clicking "look inside" on Lifeway or Amazon.

 

I also encourage you to sign up for a free subscription to Bible Love Notes and get a free e-booklet. Find out more HERE.

 

 

Gossip is Overrated, Other Sins are Underrated

If you want to hear “our job is to love, not to judge” or “that sin is no worse than other sins,” don’t bring up gossip, greed, drunkenness or slander. 

But when you discuss God’s strong condemnation of homosexuality in passages like 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, be prepared to hear lots of soft responses. You might also hear how gay people are mistreated by Christians even though you've never met a Christian who mistreated a gay person. 

If you’re in a group of Christians where someone mentions homosexuality and you begin hearing soft responses, why not bring up some other sin such as gossip and see if anyone says we should love gossips and not judge them. See if anyone talks about Christians mistreating gossips. 

We don’t call passages about slander, gossip, or greed “clobber passages.” But that’s the name many “Christians” give passages about homosexuality. 

This shows us that culture has influenced Christianity regarding LGBTQ lifestyles, making them “protected sins.” 

We need to understand this truth: When people insist on treating sexual sins softly, they are judging God because God does not treat them softly.

Let's not be taken in by this rhetoric. Let's call sin, sin. Let's admit that it's something we can overcome if we trust Christ. Let's quit sugar-coating sins to accommodate our ungodly culture. 

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Note: When you talk about sexual sins, people sometimes bring up John 8:1-11, using it to claim that God doesn't judge people who commit sexual sins and neither should we. To understand that error, see The Fake Jesus Changes the Meaning of John 8:1-11.  When we talk about sexual sins, it's also common for people to claim that all sins are the same in God's eyes. This devotion will help you answer that error: All Sins Are Not the Same.

 

 

Is the Lord Your Portion or Are You Seeking "Land"?

Consider the Psalmist's words, “Lord, you alone are my portion” (Psalm 16:5, See also Psalm 119:57 and Lamentations 3:24).   

When God distributed land in the Promised Land, He told the Levites that they would not receive a portion. Instead, He explained, “I am your share and your inheritance” (Numbers 18:20). 

Instead of giving them land as He did with the other 11 tribes of Israel, God assigned the Levites to be priests and to serve in His temple. 

In some ways Christians resemble Levites because we are “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that [we] may declare the praises of him who called [us] out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9

Whatever possessions we gain or lack here on earth are insignificant because the Lord is “our portion.” We aren't working for earthly “property” or earthly goals:

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10 

This doesn't mean we are all pastors, church workers, or missionaries. But we are all in “full-time ministry” because whatever we do, we do it for the Lord and with the Lord (Colossians 3:23-24). 

Are your plans in life based on the Lord’s purposes? Are you seeking His kingdom first (Matthew 6:33)? Is He alone your portion?

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For more insights on this subject see Changing Our Perspective. And if you'd like to read what my blind friend taught me, see Expectations Mess Us Up.

Do It Now!

I remember the time when we were overseas and my daughter called to tell us about an emergency that had happened the previous day. Our toddler grandson had trouble breathing and was taken to the hospital in an ambulance. Our daughter admitted that for a while it looked like he wouldn't make it despite the fact that the problem was easily resolved once they reached the hospital.

Of course, my husband and I were unaware this was all happening until after the fact, but we still cried tears of gratitude that our beloved grandson was all right.

These situations are such important reminders of the fact that we are not in control of our lives and we don't know what tomorrow will bring.

Do you need to humbly seek reconciliation in a relationship? Do you need to stay in closer contact with a loved one? Is there someone who needs your help or encouragement?

Take some time today to ask yourself these questions, making sure you are not putting off things God wants you to do.

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12 

 

See also James 4:13-14 and Proverbs 27:1.

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If you need help restoring a difficult relationship, let this devotion help: When Boundaries are Bitter Barriers 

 

If you need some inspiration to keep in touch with parents or other loved ones, see: Call Your Mom  😊

And Think Inside the Box will give you some ideas for showing your appreciation or helping someone who is struggling.

Note: This situation happened while we were in Budapest doing Christian work, fall 2011.

A Deathly Encounter on the Way to Get Coffee

One morning last month when my husband and I were in Budapest, we decided to get coffee at one of our favorite coffee shops. 

When we walked down the stairs into the metro, we saw a man hunched over on the steps, obviously in distress. He was surrounded by what looked like family and helpful onlookers, some on their phones calling for assistance. 

My husband and I wondered if he’d fallen or was having a heart attack, and we said a quick prayer as we passed. 

After coffee, we returned by the same route to find several security guards standing near the man’s body bag and family members sitting on the steps in tears. 

This situation really impacted me as I thought of people I know who've rejected Christ or created a fake Jesus who fits their lifestyle. They think they are in charge of their lives. But death reminds us that we aren't in charge.

If that man knew the Lord, he entered a perfect eternity with the Lord. If he rejected Jesus or created a Jesus in his own image, he went to the eternal punishment he deserved (2 Corinthians 5:10).

What an important reminder to pray for unsaved friends, family members, and even strangers, speaking the truth to them when we have the opportunity (Matthew 28:18-20). 

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This situation also reminded me of two devotions I've written about life and death decisions: He Thought He Could Imagine a Better God and I Never Told Her About Jesus.

If you have loved ones who aren't spending time with the Lord each day, why not send them this link SUBSCRIBE and encourage them to sign up for a free subscription to Bible Love Notes. Many people have told me that reading Bible Love Notes has helped them focus their day on the Lord. 

And I hope you will consider giving friends or family members Wisdom for Life for Christmas this year because it's another way to encourage them to start their day with the Lord. And it's currently discounted on Lifeway, Amazon, or CBD.

Have You Become Desensitized?

We know pornography damages relationships and distorts our view of right and wrong.

But do we understand the damage of other evil influences in entertainment? God warns us of negative influences throughout Scripture (Psalm 101:3; Proverbs 4:23; Luke 6:45). And even secular authorities agree: 

"What we see has a profound effect on what we do, how we feel, and who we are." (Source: Reuters)

"Early research on the effects of viewing violence on television — especially among children — found a desensitizing effect and the potential for aggression.” (Source: American Psychological Association)

"Research shows that fictional television and film violence contribute to both a short-term and a long-term increase in aggression and violence in young viewers." (Source: PubMed)

Shows that would never be considered pornography can still have a negative effect on us when they have themes that are evil, violent, or disturbing. In addition, LGBTQ lifestyles are presented as normal and good, and this has definitely changed cultural attitudes about these lifestyles which God says damage people's souls.

To guard our hearts, we must avoid these influences.

"Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret." Ephesians 5:11-12  (Source: God)

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Would you like to ponder three passages related to this subject? Then see today's Bite Size Bible Study. And I suggest that you read Are You Enjoying Popular Pornography?  

I encourage you to check out the Wisdom for Life devotional. It contains 100 one-minute devotions to challenge, encourage, instruct, and inspire your love for God's Word. 

Would you like to sign up for a free subscription to Bible Love Notes and get a free e-booklet offering quiet time encouragement? Find out more HERE.

BLN

Cultural Astigmatism

I've worn glasses or contacts since age ten because I'm nearsighted and have astigmatism. Astigmatism is an uneven curvature of the eye’s cornea or lens affecting approximately 30% of the population. It causes blurry vision and poor eyesight at night because a “refractive error” keeps light from focusing properly in the eye. 

The good news is that there are corrective lenses available to give us clarity.

I think astigmatism is a good analogy for our cultural decline. When men and women start seeing biblical truths from a cultural "curvature," things look distorted and they prevent the light of Christ from focusing properly in their spiritual eyes.

Without God's light, they have greater trouble navigating the spiritual darkness in our culture. Material gain looks more important than spiritual growth. Sexual sins appear attractive. Worldly philosophies seem wise and good, even when they directly contradict Scripture. Jesus looks like everyone's buddy instead of a pure and holy Savior.

The good news is that cultural astigmatism is also correctable. When a person looks through the lens of Scripture, their vision gradually improves. 

Our world is getting very dark, dear Christians. Let's make sure we are putting on the corrective lens of God's Word every day. 

I encourage you to check out my collection called Twisted Scriptures which addresses various misunderstandings that have influenced the church. And I want to announce that I am working on a second book called Half-Truths That Many Christians Believe. I'll be sharing more about it in the next few months, and I would appreciate your prayers. It will be quite different from my book Wisdom for Life, but just as dedicated to sharing God's Word accurately.

BLN

Special Sunday Post: What Doors Will America Open in 2025?

I thought I was done writing posts about the election as I felt I had shared my heart about Christians prioritizing platforms above personalities, being more interested in millions of babies' lives than in candidates' sins.

But the Democrats have opened the door to another evil that is every bit as biblically offensive as abortion.

In 2023, under Biden and Harris, the Democrats put out a White House Fact Sheet demanding that children who are too young to decide their bedtimes should be allowed to determine their gender. They also support trans drugs and surgeries for underage children. Please read more about this in A Public Holiday Mocking Our Lord.

This official fact sheet said any limitation on transgender drugs for children was "callous government overreach that threatens families." The reason for this last statement is the fact that the Republicans have been trying to close the door on trans drugs and trans surgeries for minors (AP News).

In 2024, Biden was the first U.S. President to issue a public proclamation proudly promoting Transgender Day of Visibility.

Biden did this despite the readily available studies that show the dangers of trans drugs and surgeries on minors and despite the fact that several other countries have shut down their trans clinics and cautioned the use of these drugs and procedures. 

Why am I bringing this up again? 

Because recently, Dr. Johanna Olson-Kennedy who heads the largest youth gender clinic in the United States at the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles was found responsible for withholding the results of a $10 million taxpayer-funded study that proved puberty blockers provided no help for children suffering from gender dysphoria (Source).

She said she didn’t want these results to affect public opinion or be used to support the concerns of giving underage children trans-drugs.

In case you aren’t aware, because of a federally-funded research grant, children as young as 8 can be given these cross-sex hormones and by age 15 they can have surgeries that permanently mutilate their bodies. Furthermore, the drugs can cause lifelong bone weaknesses.

You don’t need to be Christian to understand the cruelty of these Democratic policies. For example, even though I don’t recommend her books, the Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling hit the nail on the head when she summarized what Dr. Olson-Kennedy was actually saying: "We must not publish a study that says we're harming children because people who say we're harming children will use the study as evidence that we're harming children, which might make it difficult for us to continue harming children."

This is definitely a biblical issue as well as a political one. It mocks God's design in creation, rejects God's sovereign choices for each man and woman, and denies God's Word. On top of that, it's child abuse!

If the Democrats win this election, more tax-payer money will be used to experiment on these confused children, permanently damaging their health and well-being. 

Will you open the door and usher this evil into our country or close the door and pray for the well-being of the children already suffering from these cruel practices?

If you have already voted for the Democratic platform despite their anti-God stands on transgenderism and abortion, I urge you to confess your sin to the Lord and memorize some of the passages in What Scripture Says about Abortion and What Scripture Says about Gender. In addition, I encourage you to spend some time reading about the brutal methods used to kill babies in late-term abortions and the dangers of trans-drugs on minors. In these ways you can renew your heart and mind and prove your repentance.

If you have not yet voted, I urge you to place the unborn babies and vulnerable youth above your feelings about the candidates. We aren’t simply voting for Trump or Harris. We are voting for their party platforms, platforms that will affect the lives of millions and bring God’s judgment or blessing on America. Trump and Harris will have to account for their personal sins, but we will have to account for our vote in regard to these two major biblical issues. 

For further study, see:

What Scripture Says about Gender (shorter article)

What the Bible Teaches about Gender (longer article)

A Letter Defending Male and Female