Don't Judge

In this week’s message, Pastor Mark Deering focuses on Jesus's teaching "Judge not, that you be not judged" explaining that while we shouldn't judge others, we should maintain a discerning spirit. Pastor Mark defines judgment as forming fixed opinions about others, assuming their motives, and viewing them through a lens of self-righteousness. Jesus calls believers to help one another grow spiritually by addressing faults with humility and relationship rather than harsh judgment, recognizing that we all have "logs in our own eyes" while trying to remove "specks" from others'. Pastor Mark emphasizes five principles for discerning wisely: being slow to speak without experience, learning others' stories before sharing your own, recognizing that what bothers you about others might reveal your own issues, not giving wisdom to closed ears, and generously offering wisdom to those who are open to receive it.