Words of Blessing = WD-40 for the Soul!

“Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth.Keep watch over the door of my lips.”

Psalm 141:3

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.”

Psalm 19:14

Issues of the Heart Issues of the Heart

Quick to take Offense VS. Refusing to take Offense

Luke 17:1 Jesus said, “Things that cause people to take offense are bound to come” (Don’t be

surprised!) 1 Peter 2:6-8, Jesus is a stone that causes men to stumble, a rock that

makes them be offended. Mark 6:3, “Is this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother

of….siblings? And they took offense at Him.” Matt 24:10, “At that time (end times), many will be offended and fall

away from the faith.” John 6: 56, 61, “He who eats my flesh, drinks my blood abides in Me and will

live…”Do you take offense at this?”

Proverbs 19:11, “A man’s wisdom gives him patience, it is to his glory to overlook an offense.”

Offense Greek word: “skandalon” = “to stumble” (little stone trips

you up and you stumble) = “to be trapped, ensnared” (the

movable stick or trigger of an animal trap is called “the skandalon.”

We are in a battle for our hearts.

The devil seeks to neutralize us, to take us out.

He discourages, dis-heartens, tempts us, lures us to take the bait and be trapped

and wounded by an offense. With taking an offense at God or at a brother, we have stepped into the role of

judging.

Judging Once offended, we easily become

critical and judgmental. What does God have to say about

judging?Scripture warns us of the fact that in the

same manner and measure that we judge others, so we will be judged (Matthew 7:1,2).

Eg. Baseball game with our kids

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? … First take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” Matt. 7:3,5

We are Not to Judge, but we are to Discern Bible is clear that we must not judge others (James 4:12;

5:9). However, we are instructed to discern and judge rightly to avoid sin and deception.

Stop judging by mere appearance but make a right judgment (John 7:24 )

Regarding prophecy, we are to test it, weigh it (1 Thess.5:21; 1 Cor. 14:29)

We are to test the spirits to see if they be of God (1 John 4:1) We are to examine or own hearts as we come to participate

in the Lord’s Supper ( 1 Cor. 11:28)

Discernment vs. Judgment

To evaluate & examine vs. to pass harsh judgment, react

Seeks truth & the facts vs. doesn’t wait for facts, pre-judges

Eg. Father driving sonEg. Mushroom party

Discernment vs. Judgment

Desires truth to help, restore vs. enjoys tearing down

Focus is on the individual vs. lose sight of person, categorizes

Identifies with man’s sin vs. smug, self-righteous

Not shocked by sin of others vs. appalled/despises the sinner

Discernment vs. Judgment

Grieves over sin of others vs. finds pleasure in fault-finding

Seeks to cover their nakedness vs. delights in their sin exposed

Believes the best of others vs. guilty until proven innocent

Discernment vs. Judgment

Looks beyond external appearances vs. focuses on externals

Sees past the action to situation vs. judges their heart

Humble, compassionate spirit vs. arrogant/critical spirit

Extends grace to the other vs. demands justice

Discernment vs. Judgment

Refuses to take offense vs. easily offended, petty

Lets go of own rights vs. demands own rights

Seeks to defend others vs. defensive, justifies self

Quick to own up & repent vs. quick to blame, doesn’t own up

Discernment vs. Judgment

Eats from Tree of Life vs. tree of knowledge of good & evil

Security needs are met vs. feels insecure, insignificant

Seeks to build bridges vs keeps distance, us/them

Intercedes for others vs. agrees with accuser of brethren

Flows from love in heart vs. recognized by coldness of heart

The Bible is clear that: 1. We are not authorized or qualified to

judge others2. We will be judged in the same manner

if we do so3. We must crucify our instinct to judge,

catch ourselves & repent(repent = change our mind,

“re” = “to go back to”“pent” = “pent-house” =

go back to God’s higher perspective)4 We need to grow in true discernment & passion for Jesus (eat

from Tree of Life)5. We are invited to relax & leave the

judging to God

No Christian is strong enough to carry a cross and a prejudice at the

same time!

Prayer:Lord, change my mind on every issue in which You and I

do not see eye to eye”

Colossians 3:13“Bear with each other and

forgive whatever grievances you may have against one

another. Forgive AS the Lord forgave

you.”