How to quit playing God

James 4:11–12 (NKJV)

Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?

WE'RE PLAYING GOD WHEN WE JUDGE OTHERS

I. WHY DO WE LIKE TO JUDGE OTHERS?

1. TO EXCUSE OUR OWN FAULTS

"So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them, and yet do the same thing, do you think you will escape God's judgement?" Romans 2:3

2. IT APPEALS TO OUR PRIDE

"Gossip is so tasty! How we love to swallow it!" Proverbs 26:22 (GN)

II. WHY SHOULD I NOT JUDGE OTHERS?

· It is UNCHRISTIAN

· It is UNLOVING

James 2:8 NKJV

If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well;

· It is GOD’S JOB—UNJUSTIFIED

III. WHEN IS IT WRONG TO JUDGE OTHERS?

1. WHEN I PRACTICE THE SAME SIN (Romans 2:1-3)

2. WHEN IT BLINDS ME TO MY OWN FAULTS (Matthew 7:3-5)

3. WHEN I DRAW CONCLUSIONS BASED ON OUTWARD APPEARANCE(John 7:24)

4. WHEN I CONDEMN SOMEONE BEFORE HEARING THE FACTS(John 7:51)

5. WHEN IT’S BASED ON EXTERNAL RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCES (Colossians 2:16)

6. WHEN IT CAUSES ME TO SLANDER A BROTHER (James 4:11)

7. WHEN I QUESTION PEOPLE’S MOTIVES (1 Corinthians 4:5)

IV. HOW TO BREAK THE HABIT OF JUDGING OTHERS

1. REMEMBER I’LL BE JUDGED BY THE SAME STANDARDS

"Do not judge others, so that God will not judge you, for God will judge

you in the same way you judge others, and he will apply to you the same

rules you apply to others." Matthew 7:1-2

2. REMEMBER EACH OF US IS ACCOUNTABLE TO GOD

"Every one of us, then, will have to give an account of himself to God. So

then, let us stop judging one another." Romans 14:12-13

3. REMEMBER HOW GOD HAS BEEN MERCIFUL TO ME

"...Mercy triumphs over judgement." James 2:13

Parable of Unforgiving Servant -- Matthew 18:21-35