Judging oneself

[Fez]

I am currently meditating on this verse, especially the latter part. What do you think Paul is saying? Help me understand it fully...

 

Rom 14:22  The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves.  (ESV)

 

It is a more weighty verse that one would first think I believe.

 

[Guest DRS81]

Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/gills-exposition-of-the-bible/romans-14-22.html
Which is to be understood, not of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the doctrines of the Gospel; for a man that has such faith given him, ought not to keep it in his own breast, but to declare it to others; he ought to make a public visible profession of it, before many witnesses; it becomes him to tell the church of God what great things the Lord has done for him; and as he believes with the heart, so he ought to make confession with the mouth unto salvation; but this faith only designs a full persuasion in a man's own mind, about the free and lawful use of things indifferent, the subject the apostle is upon; see ( Romans 14:5 Romans 14:14 ) ; and his advice on this head is, to keep this faith and persuasion in a man's own breast, and not divulge it to others, where there is danger of scandal and offence: he does not advise such to alter their minds, change their sentiments, or cast away their faith, which was right and agreeable to his own, but to have it, hold and keep it, though, within themselves; he would not have them openly declare it, and publicly make use of it, since it might be grieving and distressing to weak minds; but in private, and where there was no danger of giving offence, they might both speak of it, and use it; and if they could not, should satisfy themselves that God, who sees in secret, knows they have this faith, and sees their use of it, though others do not, for from him they have it; so the Ethiopic version reads it, and "if thou hast faith with thyself, thou art secure before God, from whom thou hast obtained it"; and should be thankful to him for it, and use it in such a manner as makes most for his glory, and the peace of his church since to him they must give an account another day: some copies and versions read without an interrogation, thou hast faith; and others, "thou, the faith which thou hast, have it to thyself" so the Alexandrian copy and the Syriac version.

 

Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth; http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/gills-exposition-of-the-bible/romans-14-22.html
or "approves of"; that is, it is well for that man who observes no difference of meats, if either he does not act contrary to his own conscience, and so condemns himself in what he allows himself in; or exposes himself to the censure, judgment, and condemnation of others, in doing that which he approves of as lawful, and is so, but unlawful when done to the offence of others: some understand this as spoken to the weak believer, signifying that he is in the right, who, through example, and the force of the sensual appetite, is not prevailed upon to allow himself to eat, contrary to his own conscience, and whereby he would be self-condemned; but as the strong believer is addressed in the beginning of the verse, I choose to think he is intended in this part of it; and the rather, because the weak believer is taken notice of in the next verse, with a peculiar view to this very thing.

[Fez]

Yes but.....

 

The verse says Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves.  

 

I have been told by pastors and others not to beat myself up, not to condemn myself (pass judgement on myself) for my (continuing, because I am far from perfect), sins. We are also taught that we should not judge others.

 

However the verse would seem to point towards us having reason to condemn ourselves for what we approve of (if that approval is of something sinful).

 

Thus for instance, if as a practicing Christian we approve of homosexuality, are we required to pass judgement on ourselves, condemn ourselves? 

 

It's not a straightforward verse, little in Romans actually is. Understand Romans and you understand Grace.

[Guest DRS81]

Yes but.....

 

The verse says Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves.  

 

I have been told by pastors and others not to beat myself up, not to condemn myself (pass judgement on myself) for my (continuing, because I am far from perfect), sins. We are also taught that we should not judge others.

 

However the verse would seem to point towards us having reason to condemn ourselves for what we approve of (if that approval is of something sinful).

 

No, the verse isn't pointing towards us having reason to condemn ourselves. It says BLESSED is the one who has NO reason.

 

Thus for instance, if as a practicing Christian we approve of homosexuality, are we required to pass judgement on ourselves, condemn ourselves? 

 

No, what it's saying is that we shouldn't condemn ourselves for preaching what's right. Homosexuality is wrong. You can't be blessed from God by preaching sin.

[missmuffet]

http://www.biblestudytools.com/romans/14-22-compare.html

 Romans 14 Verses 19-23 Many wish for peace, and talk loudly for it, who do not follow the things that make for peace. Meekness, humility, self-denial, and love, make for peace. We cannot edify one another, while quarrelling and contending. Many, for meat and drink, destroy the work of God in themselves; nothing more destroys the soul than pampering and pleasing the flesh, and fulfilling the lusts of it; so others are hurt, by wilful offence given. Lawful things may be done unlawfully, by giving offence to brethren. This takes in all indifferent things, whereby a brother is drawn into sin or trouble; or has his graces, his comforts, or his resolutions weakened. Hast thou faith? It is meant of knowledge and clearness as to our Christian liberty. Enjoy the comfort of it, but do not trouble others by a wrong use of it. Nor may we act against a doubting conscience. How excellent are the blessings of Christ's kingdom, which consists not in outward rites and ceremonies, but in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost! How preferable is the service of God to all other services! and in serving him we are not called to live and die to ourselves, but unto Christ, whose we are, and whom we ought to serve.

[Hall7]

Maybe it means to not dwell on our past sinful actions but at the same time to be aware that we will be judged for them?

[other one]

The whole chapter is dealing with the liberties of our faith........   what we eat, what we drink and such.     It says that we should keep those liberties between each of us and God and not push our liberties onto other people who have less faith and don't understand it's ok to eat whatever and drink if not to abuse......    but blessed is the person who does not have to judge what he approves as ok.

 

Blessed is the person who does not cause another to sin do the persons lake of faith.    If one thinks it's a sin to use wine, then to that person it's sinful and we are blessed if we do not cause him to do something he considers a sin by our actions of our own liberty.

 

does that make sense???

 

I think it's ok for me to use wine wisely, but I should not talk brothers and sisters to do the same if it violates their conscious. 

[*Zion*]

The whole chapter is dealing with the liberties of our faith........   what we eat, what we drink and such.     It says that we should keep those liberties between each of us and God and not push our liberties onto other people who have less faith and don't understand it's ok to eat whatever and drink if not to abuse......    but blessed is the person who does not have to judge what he approves as ok.

 

Blessed is the person who does not cause another to sin do the persons lake of faith.    If one thinks it's a sin to use wine, then to that person it's sinful and we are blessed if we do not cause him to do something he considers a sin by our actions of our own liberty.

 

does that make sense???

 

I think it's ok for me to use wine wisely, but I should not talk brothers and sisters to do the same if it violates their conscious. 

 

Yep!

[Willa]

Yes but.....

 

The verse says Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves.  

 

I have been told by pastors and others not to beat myself up, not to condemn myself (pass judgement on myself) for my (continuing, because I am far from perfect), sins. We are also taught that we should not judge others.

 However the verse would seem to point towards us having reason to condemn ourselves for what we approve of (if that approval is of something sinful).

 Thus for instance, if as a practicing Christian we approve of homosexuality, are we required to pass judgement on ourselves, condemn ourselves? 

It's not a straightforward verse, little in Romans actually is. Understand Romans and you understand Grace.

I also think it has to do with drinking alcohol in front of alcoholics, for instance. If we know what we approve would cause our brother to stumble, it is not loving to flaunt our liberty in front of him.

I used to beat myself up for things when I fell on my face, too. Though I repented and asked God very earnestly to forgive and cleanse me, I continued to condemn myself.. Then one day God spoke to my heart saying "Who are you to think that your judgements are superior to Mine? I have forgiven you. When you are angry with yourself, are you useful to Me to minister to your Family or be used of Me?".

Only when I RECEIVE God's forgiveness for myself can I again filled with the Holy Spirit and be useful to God. I suddenly realized that I had not accepted God's ruling but had gone to a "higher court"--my own opinion. I had let myself down and condemned myself. Do I want to accept my opinion or do I accept God's?

Love,

Willa

[kwikphilly]

Blessings Fez

     Really other one best described this verse because by itself it can(& has)be terribly misconstruded.....We do not seek the approval of man but of God & if I ,after diligent prayer and good relationship with my Lord am approved by Him of certain practices (or not practicing)then that is really between God & I and is not for me to try to persuede another to follow my walk with God

    If I know that drinking a glass of wine is considered to be displeasing to God or a sin in my brothers eyes & then I invite them to dinner I am not going to have a bottle of wine on the table when they sit at my table to eat ,& pour them a glass & have everyone drinking wine to make them feel uncomfortable.....if I have a clear consciience in this practice then that is between God & I but if I cause them to have a glass then it would weigh heavy on their conscience & I have done them a great injustice,knowingly

     BTW,I don't like alcohol but I don't see anything wrong with someone that has a drink & if the tables were turned I would not mind but thats not the point it that case I should keep quiet & keep it to myself & not offend those people just because I don't do it .....I think the point is not to force what is right for you on to another person........Glory to God

                                                                                                                     With love in Christ-Kwik