In my devotional time today I wrote about the how I’ve changed from having a “need for respect” to having a “need to honor God by honoring others”. When I was governed by the “need for respect”, I knew I had to “look” respectable. I let others opinion of me sway my actions, and I intentionally avoided situations that may have put me in a bad light. Having a need to “honor others” means I no longer have to “look” [...] Read more »
Why We Need to Learn How To Judge and Not Be A Jerk
Discernment is a gift desperately needed at this moment in Church history. Jesus warned us: For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible. Matthew 24:24 (New International Version) We’re living in the time He was prophesying about. It’s one sign of the end of the age. In the past we’ve focused on criticizing other servants of our Master. But who are we to do that (Romans [...] Read more »
Can You Honor When There is Un-repented Sin?
If you’ve been following this blog for some time, you may think I’m avoiding a far too common scenario. I know some of you think I’m forgetting some straightforward instructions in Scripture. Jesus said in Luke 17:3-4 (NLT) So watch yourselves! “If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive. Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive.” We are to rebuke a [...] Read more »
The Process of Restoring Trust
When a follower of Christ has sinned, and has repented of that sin, trust still needs to be restored. This is how the process of restoring trust begins: Allow them to feel godly sorrow. Ask questions like, “Who has been affected by your sin?” Help them see the broader picture. Lead them through to solutions with questions like “What are you going to do to make it right with those who are affected by your sin?” “How are you going [...] Read more »
How Do We Honor When There Has Been Sin?
You’re a leader. You may be a pastor, mentor or parent, but you’re in a position of authority. Someone you’re responsible for has sinned and they come expecting the condemnation they are under to be compounded because they’ve confessed a hidden sin and know the myth of grace many in the church hold to.(The “myth of grace” is its for me and not you.) But Jesus fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah: A bruised reed he will not break, and a [...] Read more »
How to Honor Those who Don’t Deserve It
The Hebrew word for honor is also translated at times “glory”. How you honor the unhonorable is to look for the glory the Father has deposited into their lives and pull it to the surface. Let’s make it practical… someone bursts into your office and screams at you for the current problem they are facing, even though it’s the choices they’ve made that have led them to this crisis… how do you see the “glory” in them? Pray, while they [...] Read more »
5 Steps to Honor in Conflict
I’ve been working to set up the store on RevTrev.com. Still a few things to do. I hope to have it up on the weekend… but really don’t know if I have the time to. Anyway, it’s always timely to talk about how we honor in conflict. Honoring someone does not mean there will never be a time you don’t disagree with them. It doesn’t mean there won’t be arguments. Honoring doesn’t mean you’re a doormat. The closer another person [...] Read more »
The Father Has Honored Us
We can honor the Father because He’s first honored us. He has lifted us up and seated us in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:4-6). He has changed our relationship from being a servant to being a friend (John 15:15), He’s called us His co-workers(2 Corinthians 6:1), and He’s made us joint-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17). Why has He done this? Why does He cause the sun to rise on the evil and good and send rain on the righteous and unrighteous [...] Read more »
Honoring the Not-Always Honorable
We are to honor the honorable, but the Bible also tells us to honor those who should be honorable, but who may not always act honorably: Father and Mother (Exodus 20:12) Wives (1 Peter 3:7) Widows (1 Timothy 5:3) Kings (1 Peter 2:17) These all make sense to our current definition of honor and the Bible promises if we honor our parents we will have a full life in the land God has given (Ex 20:12) that’s a bonus! But [...] Read more »
How Do We Give the Father Honor?
To understand what the Father has done, let’s take a quick look at Revelation 4… …the twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever). And they lay their crowns before the throne and say, “You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.” (Rev 4:10-11 NLT) Did you ever wonder [...] Read more »
How to Judge and Not be a Jerk
How can you refrain from condemning others and know how to deal with those who condemn you? The answer to both questions is “honor”. Church leaders tend to immediately love the idea of honor. With all the external influences on individuals spirituality, honor is hardly ever automatically given to them anymore. But there’s a warning in Scripture about that attitude: It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable to seek one’s own honor. Proverbs 25:27 [...] Read more »
What Should I do When I am Unfairly Judged?
The answer to this question is something I need to live out regularly on Twitter – @revtrev I’m writing a book called “Follow Me As I Follow Christ – a blueprint for Kingdom Influence on Twitter” and I needed to included this information. So far, our focus has been on understanding how you can judge without condemning. But what are you to do when you’re condemned by others? You are going to be unfairly judged. So let’s address how to [...] Read more »
Why Shouldn’t We Pick On People When They’re Wrong?
Let’s take a closer look at Matthew 7 to see what Jesus is really saying to His followers about judging. Peterson gives some insight into the passage with his transliteration of it. “Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do [...] Read more »
Understanding Condemnation
Finally, “Krino” is also translated “to condemn”. Since we can so easily move from discernment to condemnation – especially when we don’t discern in love – we need to understand what condemnation is. First of all, it’s not the same as conviction. Both condemnation and conviction bring pain and sorrow, but they bring different kinds… For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind [...] Read more »
Understanding Decisions
“Krino” is also translated “to decide”. To decide means “to cut off every alternative”. We make decisions almost every waking moment of the day. Most of them are automatic and we don’t need to think about them. Others need much more consideration. The Father has blessed you with a mind so you can use it. Here are 7 steps to help you make God-honoring decisions: 1. Ask Him for wisdom. Once you ask, move on the wisdom He provides. It’s [...] Read more »
Understanding Discernment
The Greeks had a word “krino”. It meant to, “discern,” “decide” and “condemn”. We most commonly translate “krino” into English as “judge”. It’s easy for us to move from discernment to condemnation without any thought of it. But the Bible tells us not to be so hasty: Be honest in your judgment and do not decide at a glance (superficially and by appearances); but judge fairly and righteously. John 7:24 (Amplified Bible) So how do we discern? How do we [...] Read more »
What the Bible Say About Judging
Judging is one of the most misunderstood concepts in the Bible. It’s confusing. Jesus tells us not to judge. “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. Matthew 7:1-2 (New Living Translation) Paul says we’ll judge the angels, so judge between yourself. Don’t you realize that someday we believers will judge the world? And [...] Read more »
The Kindness of God Leads Us to Repentance
I was speaking to a Comparative Religions Class at a local university on the topic of the early church councils. Much of the early debate of our spiritual ancestors revolved around the nature of Christ. Councils were called to settle disagreements. The Council of Nicea (325) was called to settle the controversy the followers of Arius promoted by teaching that there was a time when Christ did not exist. The Council of Nicea met to decide: “Was Jesus Christ God [...] Read more »
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