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JUDGMENT SWAMP

(17 posts) (8 voices)

Started 1 year ago by Lucinda
Latest reply from Lucinda

Lucinda
Member

JUDGMENT SWAMP

PART 1 - Judgments Are Barriers to Christ Indwelling You
http://christindwelling.wordpress.com/2010/03/07/judgments-are-barriers-to-christ-indwelling-you/

PART 2 - Judgments – A Trait of Being Legalistic
http://christindwelling.wordpress.com/2010/03/07/judgments-are-barriers-to-christ-indwelling-you-part-2/

PART 3 - Judgments Lead to Bitterness
http://christindwelling.wordpress.com/2010/03/07/judgments-are-barriers-to-christ-indwelling-you-part-3/

PART 4 - Judgments Are Poisoned With Bitterness
http://christindwelling.wordpress.com/2010/03/08/judgments-are-barriers-to-christ-indwelling-you-part-4/

PART 5 - Judgments Are Barriers To Christ Indwelling You – Unforgiveness
http://christindwelling.wordpress.com/2010/03/12/judgments-are-barriers-to-christ-indwelling-you-unforgiveness-part-5/

PART 6 - Sample Prayer for Releasing Judgments and Bitterness
This is a sample prayer I have adapted from Karl Lehman in releasing judgments and bitterness.
http://christindwelling.wordpress.com/2010/03/12/sample-prayer-for-releasing-judgments-and-bitterness-6/

I have not been posting very much lately but do check in daily.

Something I've sensed, is, some posts are filled with judgments and bitterness. It's not so much what is said but how it is said. I believe the reason I can detect the judgments and bitterness is I was someone who was filled with judgments and bitterness at one time in my life.

I was not able to see it in my self so the Holy Spirit began a stripping process in my life to where I finally came to the place of deep repentance.

He used the "Judgment Swamp" teaching to speak to me and expose judgments and bitterness in my own life and bring more freedom in Christ than I ever knew before.

We have heard in the Scriptures the prophetic words of the Apostle Paul, “For freedom, Christ has set us free.”

My prayer is that you may find freedom from judgments and bitteress!

Be Blessed,
Lucinda

Posted 1 year ago #
Lucinda
Member

"Judgment Swamp" is taken from an old blog of mine.

Here is a little about me.
http://christindwelling.wordpress.com/aboutme/

My name is Lucinda Jayne W. and my sign in name on this forum is Lucinda and on my blog I used CJ because my nick name is Cindy.

Posted 1 year ago #
Jeremy
Member

Lucinda, I will respond to your post to me on the other thread here.

I am sorry, but I did not understand fully what you were directing toward me. Since you talk about judgment and bitterness, both, in your post above, are you referring to the bitterness of GF that I was talking about, or are you trying to show me that I am too judgmental?

Posted 1 year ago #
Lucinda
Member

Jeremy said, "are you trying to show me that I am too judgmental?"

No Jeremy, quite the opposite. I thought you were caring in regards to GF.

My post on the other thread was just a general statement. I wasn't pointing the finger at anyone in particular.

Lucinda

Posted 1 year ago #
Jeremy
Member

Thank you for clarifying, Lucinda. I know that some are seeing me as harsh, and some as speaking truth that needs to be said, and some don't care one way or the other. I didn't want to assume what you might be meaning, so that is why I asked so directly.

I continue to pray for you, Lucinda. I know that your spirit is always very strong, with no complaining or grumbling, when you post. You are a testimony of grace even in such a limited place to be its expression.

Posted 1 year ago #
Lucinda
Member

Jeremy,

I went back and read my post on the other thread and I can see clearly how you thought I was directing that post to you personally. Forgive me please, that was not my intent.

I should have made my general statement without using your name.

Does that help clarify?

I see you as a person that looks after others because you don't want anyone to fail to receive the grace of God.

I am grateful for your prayers for me at this time also.

Blessings,
Lucinda

Posted 1 year ago #
Jeremy
Member

Lucinda, thank you for seeing something that I would like to be true.

Posted 1 year ago #
Andrew J Horton
Member

Hi Lucinda, Hi Jeremy,

The Lord was showing me on my way to work this morning the jokes and comments which I've made about dock workers - that was the example He gave me - I've judged dock workers as being lazy and as charging exorbitant fees to get your "stuff" off their dock...

He was showing me that all these little jokes which we share with others at work or in our conversation are all things which need to be broken to be free from the power of unforgiveness...

I repented on the way in to work this morning and saw that that covered a whole lot of other "little jokes" which I've been a part of at others expense...

The local building consent authorities are an "easy target" also...

All this shows is that I have an "inner criticism" which He needs to remove...

I felt that process occurring this morning - I'm sure I'll see more as He shows me more - I'm already seeing more...

It's easy to compartmentalise our lives and forgive family members, brothers and sisters in the Lord but forget about forgiving those we have no direct involvement with - like politicians or building consent authorities...

Once the Holy Spirit illuminates to us how much of our time "chatting" with work mates is full on criticism it can be quite challenging but we find that He replaces our vocab and gives us a heart for those we are dealing with to bring positive words of life into conversations which ultimately glorify the Lord although they may not mention Him by Name...

When there is no "inner criticism" left, i.e. no words of death are proceeding out of our mouths, then the Holy Spirit within us has truly "tamed our tongue" as James says...

He speaks life, He does not speak death - yes, He speaks death to the flesh (smiley face)...

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. (Proverbs 18:21 NASB)

The Holy Spirit's conviction brings freedom, He removes the evil from us along with the desire to have any part of it...

Thank You Lord for Your work in our lives and for the freedom from negative emotions like bitterness and the power they have to rob us of our energy and motivation and make us "sour pusses" to be around, Thank You that You give us life and life in abundance when we align ourselves with You and allow You to remove unforgiveness from us - life in our spirits and in our souls and a zest for life as You inflame us with that zest in our spirits which goes and goes and goes like a river without us feeling the pressure to make anything happen...

Please give this to Lucinda Lord in ever-increasing measure as she trusts You through the present ordeal which she is "walking through"...

Give her this "river of living water" flowing up from within her spirit and her soul to the Glory of Your Name...

Lord bless Jeremy at her new job and enable her to be Your Fragrance around those she works with whether You open her mouth to speak of You or whether You don't let her presence be Your Fragrance to her workmates in the Mighty Name of Jesus...

Love in the Lord,

Andrew

Posted 1 year ago #
Hope
Member

Lucinda and Jeremy you are an inspiration in how to deal with potential conflict, Jeremy you just asked about something you could have taken offence to, and lucinda you went back and checked and acknowledged Jeremy's concerns, all was done politely, giving the other the benefit of the doubt. It made me feel really warm inside to see an example of how things should be without anger.

Yeah I know how you feel Andrew, I too have problems at work where it is very easy to get into moan mode, with criticisms, and even gossip becoming a problem, it is an ongoing problem.
Good for you for being aware of yourself that way. I remember once feeling a conviction for leaving a shoppin trolley just standing in the carpark. Because it is someones JOB to collect them, and I was making his job harder by just leaving it there. Sometimes I have still been guilty of ditching it and taking off, but overall I try to be considerate now. God also showed me that his job was just as honourable in his eyes as anyone elses. He is a very good teacher.

God Bless
Hope

Posted 1 year ago #
Bruce Skelton
Member

Hi Lucinda.

I know at time I can be judgmental, then I think of Christ and what he went through and yet there was no guile found in his mouth. What a hard example to follow but we must press on toward the day of perfection, being wash by the word of God.

1Pe 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

1Pe 2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

1Pe 2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

We are to judge righteously by the word of God, in love for our fellow works in Christ.

Jas 5:19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;

Jas 5:20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

In love I post,
Bruce.

Posted 1 year ago #
dagazz
Member

Thanks Lucinda

Bruce, I agree about "pressing on" but be encouraged, I have seen a lot of growth and maturity in people that post here over the past few seasons.

Posted 1 year ago #
Lucinda
Member

Andrew,
Thank you for you insight and prayer.

Hope said, "It made me feel really warm inside to see an example of how things should be without anger."

I've not always been like that but have a real desire to grow up in Christ and handle issues as they arise in a more godly manner than before.

Bruce,
I agree with the scriptures you used, here are a few more.

1 Cor 5:12-6:6 Those outside the church it is not my business to judge. But surely it is your business to judge those who are inside the church--God alone can judge those who are outside... When any of you has a grievance against another, aren't you ashamed to bring the matter to be settled before a pagan court instead of before the church? Don't you know that Christians will some day judge the world? And if you are to judge the world do you consider yourselves incapable of settling such infinitely smaller matters? Don't you know that we shall judge the very angels themselves--how much more then matters of this world only! In any case, if you find you have to judge matters of this world, why choose as judges those who count for nothing in the church? I say this deliberately to rouse your sense of shame. Are you really unable to find among your number one man with enough sense to decide a dispute between one and another among you, or must one brother resort to the law against another; and that before those who have no faith in Christ!

1 Cor 5:3,12 Even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. And I have already passed judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present... What business of mine is it to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you."

1 Cor 6:2-3 Do you not know that God's people will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!

dagazz said, "I have seen a lot of growth and maturity in people that post here over the past few seasons.

I have too dagazz, that's something to praise God for because He's the only one who can transform us!
* * * * * * * * * * *

Getting back to Judgements and bitterness.

There is a right type of judgement and a wrong type of judgement. If our life is filled with the wrong type of judgements and bitterness our discernment will be way off when it comes to trying to judge righteously.

Suppose you think that your have "discerned" something. A good test of whether this "realization" is from above or from below is: what you feel. Does your discernment lead you to help, heal, love, share? Does it lead towards purity of the body, towards Christ? Then the Holy Spirit may have given you a taste of His perspective: the truth, with love. Your actions will prove the validity of what you think, and deeper fellowship and/or humility will be the result.

But if what you feel in your heart as a result of the discernment is superiority, scandal, bitterness, or a desire to detach yourself from the body of Christ, then it is not of God. Whether it is correct, or not, is not the issue: The "knowledge" comes from below, not above--as judged by its fruit. God looks at the heart. If what you "know" about others isn't useful to them or you, forget what you "know". It's poison.

Thanks again for all your insight and may we all continue to grow up in Christ.

Blessings,
Lucinda

Posted 1 year ago #
Lucinda
Member

Andrew,
Thank you for you insight and prayer.

Hope said, "It made me feel really warm inside to see an example of how things should be without anger."

I've not always been like that but have a real desire to grow up in Christ and handle issues as they arise in a more godly manner than before.

Bruce,
I agree with the scriptures you used, here are a few more.

1 Cor 5:12-6:6 Those outside the church it is not my business to judge. But surely it is your business to judge those who are inside the church--God alone can judge those who are outside... When any of you has a grievance against another, aren't you ashamed to bring the matter to be settled before a pagan court instead of before the church? Don't you know that Christians will some day judge the world? And if you are to judge the world do you consider yourselves incapable of settling such infinitely smaller matters? Don't you know that we shall judge the very angels themselves--how much more then matters of this world only! In any case, if you find you have to judge matters of this world, why choose as judges those who count for nothing in the church? I say this deliberately to rouse your sense of shame. Are you really unable to find among your number one man with enough sense to decide a dispute between one and another among you, or must one brother resort to the law against another; and that before those who have no faith in Christ!

1 Cor 5:3,12 Even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. And I have already passed judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present... What business of mine is it to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you."

1 Cor 6:2-3 Do you not know that God's people will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!

dagazz said, "I have seen a lot of growth and maturity in people that post here over the past few seasons.

I have too dagazz, that's something to praise God for because He's the only one who can transform us!
* * * * * * * * * * *

Getting back to Judgements and bitterness.

There is a right type of judgement and a wrong type of judgement. If our life is filled with the wrong type of judgements and bitterness our discernment will be way off when it comes to trying to judge righteously.

Suppose you think that your have "discerned" something. A good test of whether this "realization" is from above or from below is: what you feel. Does your discernment lead you to help, heal, love, share? Does it lead towards purity of the body, towards Christ? Then the Holy Spirit may have given you a taste of His perspective: the truth, with love. Your actions will prove the validity of what you think, and deeper fellowship and/or humility will be the result.

But if what you feel in your heart as a result of the discernment is superiority, scandal, bitterness, or a desire to detach yourself from the body of Christ, then it is not of God. Whether it is correct, or not, is not the issue: The "knowledge" comes from below, not above--as judged by its fruit. God looks at the heart. If what you "know" about others isn't useful to them or you, forget what you "know". It's poison.

Thanks again for all your insight and may we all continue to grow up in Christ.

Blessings,
Lucinda

Posted 1 year ago #
Kathleen
Member

Lucinda,

I just got through this. It was short in the first place but I have been so pressed for time due to family constraints that I have not been able to finish it. Finally, I have and want to thank you for posting this. There seemed to be this last week a few threads on this same topic so I have been trying to keep with all of them.
Part 4 about unrighteous judgement being the "twin sister" of bitterness I have seen not only in my own life but in the life of someone particularly close to me. What you wrote and others too helps me to differentiate the two types of judgement, righteous and unrighteous in a practical way. I am still meditating on all this because it is hard (at least for me). I just read this morning a post on another thread by tom w. and he wrote about Stephen having everything taken from him and stoned and graciously asking the Lord not to lay this charge at their feet. Wow. I have so much to learn and not just "learn" but put into practice. Lord help me to do as You say!
Anyhow thanks for sharing this it really has helped me.

God bless you!

Posted 1 year ago #
Averyl
Member

I'm learning to "not sweat the small stuff".
Things I think are bad, God tells me not to make an issue of, that He will deal with, that there are more important issues He wants me to speak up about.
He has told me specifically not to point out certain sins to people and to tread very carefully.

Posted 1 year ago #
Lucinda
Member

"I have so much to learn and not just "learn" but put into practice."

Me too :^)

Hugs,
Lucinda

Posted 1 year ago #
Lucinda
Member

Averyl said, "He has told me specifically not to point out certain sins to people and to tread very carefully."

There's great wisdom in that, when to open your mouth and point out someones sin and when to keep quite.

Jesus knowing Judas, never pointed out that he was a thief.

Posted 1 year ago #

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