Judge Righteously

Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.  -John 7:24 

We see a lot of unfair judging these days.  Even many in the Christian world are unfair and condemning.  All the while thinking they are doing God a favor in their unfair assaults on others, and justifying the guilty. 

A few general rules: 

1.  Be patient. 

Wait a reasonable amount of time for the truth to come out.  Sometimes this means waiting for the conclusion of a trial. 

He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him.  -Proverbs 18:13

2.  Be cautious about accusing others of lying. 

A lie is a deliberate telling of something false. 

If someone disagrees with you, that is not a lie. 

If someone tells something they sincerely believe to be true, it is not a lie. 

If someone says what they believe to be true, but it turns out to be false – that is not a lie.  It was incorrect information, but not an intentional lie. 

You lose credibility, and it is downright crude and inaccurate to constantly accuse others of lying. 

Sometimes you may need to give your opponent the benefit of the doubt. 

Even when you are convinced the other person is lying, there are times when you would do best to not call them a liar.  Just stick with the facts and reasonable arguments. 

By all means feel free to disagree with what you believe to be untrue; just be careful about resorting to name-calling. 

Calling someone a liar is also very personal.  How about sticking to the issues, rather than attacking the person. 

Calling someone a liar should be rare to non-existent.  Don’t call someone a liar unless there is clear evidence of such. 

3.  Stick with the issues.  Don’t get personal.  Don’t make personal attacks. 

4.  Be willing to sincerely hear both sides, and all sides, of the issue.  As Scripture points out, often an issue seems open and shut, until you hear the other side of the story. 

The first one to plead his cause seems right, until his neighbor comes and examines him.  -Proverbs 18:17 NKJV

5.  Be fair in allowing the other side to present their evidence. Allow both sides to explain.  

You shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall not be partial to the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty. In righteousness you shall judge your neighbor.  -Leviticus 19:15

The one who justifies the wicked and the one who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to Yahweh.  -Proverbs 17:15   

6.  On the internet, do not go back and delete your incriminating comments. 

If your comment turns out to be wrong, leave it up.  But also admit you were wrong and apologize.  Be mature and own up to it.  I’ve seen some make false or foolish statements; when they were proven wrong, they just quietly deleted their previous statements.  They never admitted they were wrong.  They never apologized. 

7.  As a general rule: Private sins should be confessed privately; Public sins should be confessed publicly. 

On the internet, some have openly and very publicly (for all the world to see) falsely accused someone.  Then when the accuser found out they were wrong, they privately confessed.  That is better than nothing, but certainly not enough.  And certainly not fair. 

Newspapers have sometimes been guilty of this.  Their front page above the fold headline falsely accuses, then they later admit the error in tiny print on page 18, or at the end of a lengthy article. 

If you falsely accuse publicly, then you should admit it and apologize publicly. 

8.  As Scripture says, do not follow a crowd to do evil. 

It’s easy to jump on the bandwagon.  It’s easy to go along with your friends, family, or a mob.  Some do evil in a mob, they would never do alone.  Your job is to do what’s right, whether or not it’s popular. 

You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert justice.  -Exodus 23:2

9.  Remember the written word can sound much harsher than a word spoken in person.  It also has more far-reaching effects.  With the internet, it can help to imagine you are saying the words directly to the person, and in the presence of others.  It can help if you assume everyone, including your family and close friends, will be reading your comments. 

10.  Victim shaming is sometimes just a way of saying you should consider only one side of the issue.  Victim shaming should not happen, but both sides should be fairly considered, and both sides should be questioned.  Sometimes tough questions need to be asked and answered, on all sides. 

11.  Carefully evaluate whether the witness is giving valid evidence and information, or just blowing smoke.  Does it relate to the issue at hand?  Know the difference between hard evidence, convincing evidence, weak evidence, hearsay, opinion. 

12.  Sometimes you need to consult the law.  If it involves illegal activity, you certainly need to do so.  Follow the laws of the land.  Frankly, often our legal system can do a better job than you or I. 

13.  Sometimes you need to carefully listen to a good prosecutor, defense lawyer, judge, investigator.  Sometimes you need to get a second opinion. 

14.  For a Christian, it goes without saying, you should pray, follow the Lord’s leadership, and use the Bible as your final rule of faith and practice. 

15.  There is safety in a multitude of counselors.  But choose your counselors prudently.  Get good, godly advice. 

Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.  -Proverbs 11:14

For by wise counsel you will wage your own war, and in a multitude of counselors there is safety.  -Proverbs 24:6

16.  Be aware that some people flat out lie about any number of issues.  Many have been falsely accused.  An accuser may be telling the truth, partial truth, or a lie.  That is true whether it be a man, woman, child, or any ethnic or religious group.  That is why you need to be discerning and carefully weigh the evidence.  Still, be sparing in calling someone a liar, but be aware people do lie and/or inaccurately testify. 

The simple believes every word, but the prudent considers well his steps.  -Proverbs 14:15

17.  Are there ulterior motives? 

18.  Some truths do not need to be told.  Is it needful?  Or is it just meant to hurt someone? 

19.  God is a God of truth.  He is pleased when we are kind, fair, honest.  We are to be people of integrity. 

Some Scripture on judgement to wisely consider:

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.  -Exodus 20:16 NKJV

You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert justice.  -Exodus 23:2

 You shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall not be partial to the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty. In righteousness you shall judge your neighbor.  -Leviticus 19:15

Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.  -Proverbs 11:14

The simple believes every word, but the prudent considers well his steps.  -Proverbs 14:15

The one who justifies the wicked and the one who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to Yahweh.  -Proverbs 17:15   

He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him.  -Proverbs 18:13

The first one to plead his cause seems right, until his neighbor comes and examines him.  -Proverbs 18:17 NKJV

A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished.  -Proverbs 22:3; 27:12

For by wise counsel you will wage your own war, and in a multitude of counselors there is safety.  -Proverbs 24:6

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!  -Isaiah 5:20

And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?  -Micah 6:8

Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.  -John 7:24

And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.  -John 8:32

-David R. Brumbelow, gulfcoastpastor.blogspot.com, February 28, AD 2022. 

Note:  Please pray for, and support Ukraine!  Pray for peace, strength, freedom.  Pray for Revival, Spiritual Awakening. 

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What's Wrong With Communism?

1.  Communism takes away freedom. 

This includes the loss of Freedom of Speech, Religious Liberty, Freedom of the Press, Personal Freedom. 

“If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.” -George Washington

“Man is not free unless government is limited.” -Ronald Reagan

“Freedom prospers when religion is vibrant and the rule of law under God is acknowledged.”  -Ronald Reagan
 “Communism has always been and will always be incompatible with liberty, prosperity, and the dignity of life.”  -Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation 

2.  It is murderous and oppressive. 

When Communism arrives, you see lies and deception, oppression of rich and poor, loss of hope and freedom, persecution, taking of private property, division of people by class and race, loss of culture, false accusations and unfair trials, many executions, religious persecution, forced Atheism, , murder, torture, concentration camps, brutal imprisonments, famine and using food as a weapon, dependency on the government, government control of the means of production and most everything else.  Communism seeks to destroy. 

It is estimated Communism killed approximately 100 million people in the 20th century. 

“Collectively, Communist states killed as many as 100 million people, more than all other repressive regimes combined during the same period [1917-2017].”  -Ilya Somin, Washington Post, 11-7-AD 2017

“Between 1917-1991, over 100 million people died as a direct result of communist ideas and actions.”  -Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation 

“Communist regimes produced the greatest ideological carnage in human history, killing more than a hundred million people in the last century.”  -James Bovard, USA Today, 5-5-2018. 

3.  Communism is just another name for Naziism, Fascism, and Tyranny. 

Extremism on the Right or the Left soon becomes the same tyranny. 

“Left-wingers and right-wingers come together when they become extreme enough. The Nazi Party was called National Socialism, very similar to Stalin's Communism, with the addition of ‘the Fatherland.’” -Orson Bean

4.  It is built on false hope, false promises, deceit. 

Once communism takes control, those hopes and promises disappear. 

“How do you tell a Communist? Well, it’s someone who reads Marx and Lenin. And how do you tell an anti-Communist? It’s someone who understands Marx and Lenin.”  -President Ronald Reagan 

5.  Beware of Socialism, it is Communism-Lite. 

“The goal of socialism is communism.” -Vladimir Lenin

 “The main difference between capitalism and socialism is this: Capitalism works.”  -Mark J. Perry

6.  Communism sounds great, but it does not work. 

“From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.”  -Karl Marx. 

At first glance that statement may sound like a fine idea.  But because of human nature, and a hundred other reasons, it just does not work.  Communism and Socialism have failed over and over again. 

“Socialism and Communism are extremely attractive to a superficial observer. It is not until you get into the details, or actually experience it, that it becomes apparent that it does not work.”  -Thomas Peterffy

Everyone should read Animal Farm by George Orwell.  It’s a brief, but revealing, look at tyrannical communism. 

7.  Communism rejects the idea of, and confiscates, private property. 

“The theory of Communism may be summed up in one sentence: Abolish all private property.” -Karl Marx

“Communists take everything.” -Wanda Vos Lorenc, Polish Victim of Communism

8.  It has often brought poverty and famine. 

Communism has caused millions to die of starvation.  Starvation is usually more of a political problem, than an agricultural problem. 

“All of the world's worst famines during the 20th century were in communist countries: China (twice!), the Soviet Union, and North Korea.”  -John Walters

9.  Looks at the state / nation as being all important.  Human beings are expendable.  Basic human rights disappear. 

“I grew up in a family that despised not only communism but collectivism, socialism, and any 'ism' that deprived the individual of his or her natural rights.” -Senator Rand Paul

10.  In short, Communism is evil. 

“Communism is a hateful thing, and a menace to peace and organized government.” -President Grover Cleveland
“I see in Communism the focus of the concentrated evil of our time.” -Whittaker Chambers
 “Communism is a religion that is inspired, directed and motivated by the Devil himself who has declared war against Almighty God.”  -Evangelist Billy Graham

The American way with our God-given rights, Democracy, Capitalism, our Legal System, our Freedom, Checks and Balances, is not perfect.  It can be improved.  But it is miles ahead of Communism. 

“Capitalism is at least tolerable, which cannot be said of Socialism or Communism.” -Benjamin Tucker
“The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings. The inherent virtue of Socialism is the equal sharing of miseries.”   -Winston Churchill

“Capitalism - for the record - has lifted more people out of poverty than any other economic system in the world.”  -Trish Regan 

For More Information: 

Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation (victimsofcommunism.org); Animal Farm by George Orwell. 

Children’s Book:  The Island of Free Ice Cream by Jack Posobiec, Brave Books.

Media:  foxnews.com; NTD News; Epoch Times.  

-David R. Brumbelow, gulfcoastpastor.blogspot.com; February 14, AD 2022

Note:  This article may be reproduced with attribution.  

 

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Problems With Masks

1.  They are ugly.  They make you look ugly.

2.  Masks are unclean.  Put on a new mask and in five minutes it is damp, dirty, warm, and a great place to breed all sorts of bacteria.  Masks also cause you to re-breath your exhaled air. They inhibit your breathing.    

3.  Masks don’t work.  They leak.  Coronavirus goes through and around the mask.  It’s kind of like saying my chain-link fence will keep out mosquitoes. 

I don’t condone smoking, but you may want to ask a smoker or vaper to do a test.  Ask them to inhale, put on their mask, then exhale.  That shows how valuable masks are. 

People wearing masks rub their face, nose, eyes, mouth with their hands.  Thereby circumventing any supposed mask protection. 

The rates of Covid (CCP Virus) are about the same in areas of mask mandates, and those without mask mandates. 

If you want to follow the science, see the book, Unmasked by Ian Miller. 

4.  They are cruel to kids.  Lately at a family gathering, no one was wearing masks.  Among the group were kids and a couple of infants.  We all survived, and had a great time. 

But just imagine if all were wearing masks.  The kids could not have seen or read the faces of adults.  No one could have seen expressions.  The infants would have been confused and felt like they were in a twilight zone. 

A mother told of how her child came home from school and showed a drawing.  The child’s picture showed people with no mouths or noses.  Masks can contribute to all types of psychological problems. 

5.  Masks interfere with communication.  To some extent we all read lips and expressions.  Imagine the difficulty of the deaf when everyone is wearing a mask. 

6.  Masks make things more difficult in courtrooms.  

It is interesting that in the Pandemic, TV shows had their stars wearing masks.  Then, inexplicably they would sometimes wear masks, and the next scene not wear them.  Then they stopped altogether.  Why?  Perhaps because it’s hard to act while wearing a mask.  Masks seriously detract from a performance. 

Criminals, however, seem to love masks! 

7.  Studies have shown masks make little to no difference in this Pandemic. 

8.  Some doctors have emphasized masks protect the wearer.  If you agree, then wear a mask, regardless of what others are doing, and you will be protected.  That way others are free to live their lives according to their choice.  But don’t bully others. 

9.  The CDC has been changing, confusing, and unreliable, concerning masks and Covid.  They censor alternate viewpoints. 

For a reminder of how doctors and scientists can refuse to listen to the science, refuse to consider the evidence – read up on Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis of the 1840s.  He was a real hero.  Sadly, what happened to Dr. Semmelweis, still happens today. 

10.  Liberal hypocrisy has been monumental concerning the wearing of masks.  Most every politician in the country that promoted mask mandates, has been caught not wearing a mask in crowds of people.  “Rules for thee, but not for me.”  If they really believed wearing a mask is a life-or-death issue, they would take their own mask wearing more seriously. 

11.  Why do news broadcasters say mask wearing is following the science, and the other side is being political and not following the science.  That is an unfair, biased attitude.  There are good doctors and scientists on both sides of the issue.  Why not hear both sides?  Why censor one side?  Why not get back to free speech? 

I’ve seen one person driving a car, dutifully wearing a mask.  Someone walking alone down a road with no one around, wearing a mask.  People wearing masks pulled down under their nose (which is the same a not wearing a mask). 

Many have been back to normal for a year or more.  Some never wore masks at all, except in stores or transportation where they were required to do so. 

It’s time to get back to normal.  We face challenges and dangers every day.  Live healthy.  Eat right, exercise, get enough sleep, drink plenty of water, get some sunshine.  Wash your hands. 

But don’t force children or anyone to wear a mask.  Unless you’re performing surgery. 

Let’s support freedom when it comes to masks.  You’re free to wear a mask, and you’re free to not wear a mask. 

-David R. Brumbelow, gulfcoastpastor.blogspot.com, February 8, AD 2022. 

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