Tuesday: I’M NOT THE JUDGE

May 2, 2023
2 min read

Ephesians 4:25-32

25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”:Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Paul says in Eph. 5:8-9 that the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true. Truth, therefore, is connected to God’s goodness and His righteousness. God is always good and He is always right. That’s what makes Him a Good Judge, and through His goodness He administers good justice. God also can’t lie, because the Truth doesn’t lie.

I need to put away lying, or anything that is not God’s truth. I should concentrate on everything that He has to say when speaking His truth and to put away everything else that the world has to say. There is no reason to lump together the world’s beliefs with God’s truth.

THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS: Paul also warns me not to sin—or to act on my anger in the form of revenge. Why? Because if I do, I am taking God’s place as judge. Paul instead wants me to be a truth-bearer, or someone who sees things out of place and provides God’s instruction of how to put them back into place. When I take matters into my own hands, I give place to the devil by pronouncing myself as the judge of the other person.

Lord, please let me practice these truths and relaying them to people I love. Thank You for teaching them to me. Help me to control my anger and allow Your love to shine through!

May you be blessed,

Chaplain Wayne Ruckman