BEATEN INTO THE SIN OF TOLERANCE

Matthew 7:2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

This scripture is one that is taken out of context more frequently today than any other in the Bible. When a Christian opens his mouth to speak out against someone's sins, this scripture is the one that is most often thrown back in his face. The sinner tries his best to silence the Christian by pointing the finger back at him. Unfortunately, this tactic works all too often because the Christian, knowing full well that he falls quite short of the glory of God, is often shamed into silence. If the sinner is even a little more knowledgeable concerning the Bible, he may send the final death blow with,

Mat 7:3-5 "Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?
"Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' and behold, the log is in your own eye?
"You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye."

The well meaning Christian,believing he was doing the sinner a favor at first, has now been beaten down into a quivering mass of guilt and confusion. This my friends is a tactic of the enemy to cause Christians everywhere to TOLERATE sin.

It is true that these scriptures are about hypocrisy. If the Christian is PRACTICING (willfully committing sin), then he has no grounds to point it out in another. If the Christian has been cleansed from his sins, though he be not perfect, but is PRACTICING his walk in righteousness, it is his duty to call attention to sin when he sees it. Not saying that he is to look for it under every rock, but it is the Christian duty to call others to righteousness, saved or unsaved.

Consider this:

Ezek 33:8-9 "When I say to the wicked, 'O wicked man, you will surely die,' and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require from your hand.
"But if you on your part warn a wicked man to turn from his way and he does not turn from his way, he will die in his iniquity, but you have delivered your life.

In Galatians chapter 2, Paul confronts Peter (Cephas) publicly about a sin he was committing.

1Cor 5:11 But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler--not even to eat with such a one.

How far we have strayed from our Bibles as Christians when the sinner who uses scripture to beat us over our heads gets the upper hand.

It is obvious that Satan himself knows scripture quite well when he used it to tempt Jesus in the wilderness. However, Jesus knew it better, and he tuned it right back around on him.

2 Cor. 11:3 But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.

Stand firm against Satan's tricks. Prayerfully read your Bible to learn how to refute twisted scriptures. Let us not bear the guilt of TOLERATING.

Adultery

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How far is too far when it comes to committing adultery?

Jesus said, Mat 5:28 "...but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart."

He goes on to tell us how to prevent or correct the problem.

Matt 5:29-30 "If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell."

In today's terms, if looking at pornography on the computer causes one to sin, then the computer should be thrown out. If one is married and attracted to a co-worker to the point of distraction or temptation, then the right thing to do in God's eyes is to quit that job and find another. These may sound like extreme solutions, but not as extreme as the consequences. Dealing with divorce court and a disgruntled spouse is nothing compared to what awaits those who practice these sins.

Though there are no guarantees with a spouse, this is not an unforgivable sin in the eyes of God. Jesus forgave a woman caught in the act of adultery. His words to her were like splash of cool water on a hot day. He told her that He does not condemn her and that she is to go and sin no more.

Act 3:19 "Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord..."

Maidservant Huldah