INTRODUCTION

Many people fear the judgment of others. Others fear the coming judgment seat of Christ. Yet, very few actually understand the biblical method by which to reduce this judgment. In our passage, we learn that "if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged." Each believer ought to be his own worst critic. If we would constantly compare ourselves against the precepts of God’s word and correct the shortcomings, our time of judgment before the Lord would lose some of its dread. At the same time, others would have a more difficult time finding fault in us. Perhaps this does not seem that important until we consider that judgments against us often harm the testimony of our Lord.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For smaller children) The people of Samaria faced starvation from being surrounded by the Syrians. God caused the Syrians to flee (2 Kings 7:6-7 [6] For the LORD had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great host: and they said one to another, Lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us. [7] Wherefore they arose and fled in the twilight, and left their tents, and their horses, and their asses, even the camp as it was, and fled for their life.
  See All...), but no one in the city knew. Four lepers who lived outside the city knew. Read what they did (2 Kings 7:5And they rose up in the twilight, to go unto the camp of the Syrians: and when they were come to the uttermost part of the camp of Syria, behold, there was no man there.
  See All..., 8). They examined themselves and knew they should share (2 Kings 7:9-10 [9] Then they said one to another, We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace: if we tarry till the morning light, some mischief will come upon us: now therefore come, that we may go and tell the king's household. [10] So they came and called unto the porter of the city: and they told them, saying, We came to the camp of the Syrians, and, behold, there was no man there, neither voice of man, but horses tied, and asses tied, and the tents as they were.
  See All...).
• Do you judge yourself? Do you find it easier to find fault in others while missing the same faults in your own life? What efforts can you take to become a stronger critic of yourself?
• How could it help at the judgment seat of Christ to judge yourself on a daily basis? How could this conform you more to the Lord Jesus Christ?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask the Lord to help you judge yourself.
• Ask the Lord to make you more like His Son each day.

HYMN

Take Time to Be Holy

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