“But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.” Heb 5:14‬ ‭ESV‬‬

If we want to grow in spiritual maturity, we are supposed to constantly practice discerning good from evil.

Wouldn’t that require us to call some things “good” and some things “bad” and doesn’t the world we live in call that practice “judging”?

Like me, you probably hear the phrase “don’t judge” a lot in our world and often out of the mouths of Christians.

In fact, Matthew 7:1 says, “Do not judge, so that you won’t be judged.”

I’m concerned the enemy has confused this verse, and used it to silence many from discerning truth and speaking truth to each other about sin, because the evil one knows the truth will set us free.

I’m thankful for people in my life who recognized my sin for what it was, and loved me enough to call it what it was, and talked to me about it.

Those dear friends want nothing to stand in the way of my relationship with God.

I guess they could have been worried that I would tell them, “Stop judging me,” but I’m so thankful they knew the difference between judging to condemn (which a Christian is not to do) and a discerning judgment of fruit (which a Christian is to do).

The father of all lies, Satan, is skilled in taking the very words of God out of context. This is why it is so important for Christians to know God’s Word and to read it in context.

Yes, God does say in Matthew 7, “Do not judge, so that you won’t be judged.” (And this seems to be the favorite verse of those up to their eyeballs in sin).

Yet, God goes on to say in the very same chapter that we can “know them by their fruits” and that “every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit” (vv. 16–17).

Oh friend, let’s be iron that sharpens iron for each other. Let’s call out the good in each other but let’s also talk to each other about sin that so easy entangles.

If we truly love others, we have to, in love, help them know what God says about how we are to live and be vulnerable enough to let others help us.

Some things are good and some things are bad. Spiritually mature people recognize sin for what it is and call it that. They know sin will take themselves and others farther down a dangerous path than they ever wanted to go.

Most of us have people we love who are in bondage to misery-making sin. Those of us who have been set free are called to speak truth in love and not remain silent.

Yes! Pray fervently before you ever open your mouth. Stay connected to God, and trust Him to give you the words. Love others but speak truth to them in love and with godly motives.

Because the truth…it sets us FREE!

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