A HOODIE Don't Make You HOOD.

WHEN WILL RACISM END?

There has been a lot of media attention surrounding the Trayvon Martin case. This case is still being investigated, but I want to address an issue that I believe will help us all. An issue that I believe caused all of this to happen. But before I get into what that is, I heard someone say, “It’s ridiculous that we’re still facing racial injustice. It’s 2012!” I understood what this person meant, but the truth of the matter is – racism will always exist. Of course, we can improve as a country. Yes, we can grow more in unity. Actually, we’re living the dream that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. had. However, racism will never be eradicated. Why? As long as the devil exists, racism will exist in this world. He will always attack us with the spirit of separation and division.

DON’T LOOK WITH YOUR EYES.

In a perfect world, everyone would be Christians and doing what God wants us to do. But we don’t live in a perfect world. So the only thing we can do is bring awareness to how God wants us to live. By doing this, it will help reduce racism and division in our world. Therefore, the purpose of this blog is not to be controversial. It is designed to attack an area that we’ve all been guilty of in one form or another. And that is – JUDGING. There are two types of judging – Misjudging and Righteous judging. What is misjudging? It is when you form an opinion by weighing the outward appearance. The world’s system is based on this type of judging.

“But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Don’t judge by his appearance…The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.’” 1 Samuel 16:7 NLT

You can’t be like the world and judge things by what it looks like on the outside. In other words, don’t get upset at the guy who is racist, when you’re doing the same thing. No, you may not be judging someone’s race, but you’re living by those same standards. You look at people who have wealth and possessions as important, and you’ll walk over the homeless as if they’re nobodies. You’ll turn your nose up at those with a negative past, and you’ll respect the one who appears to have it all together. You think he's too old to do that or she's too young to understand. God judges things different. God doesn’t look at the outward appearance, but He looks at the heart or the spirit.

“Consequently, from now on we estimate and regard no one from a [purely] human point of view [in terms of natural standards of value]…” 2 Corinthians 5:16 AMP

To make this world a better place, as Believers, you should choose not to operate under the world’s standards. You can’t judge people according to their flesh or outward appearance. You can’t evaluate people by what it looks like.

“You are looking only at what appears on the surface of things…” 2 Corinthians 10:7 NIRV

RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT

As a child of God, you must now operate under God’s standard of judgment. You must judge people according to the spirit. You must evaluate people according to the Word. You must become sensitive to the voice of God. Jesus said:

“Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” John 7:24

Jesus calls God’s standard of judging “Righteous Judgment". Righteous Judgment is the ability to make responsible decisions. It’s being able to discern wisely. It’s when you’re marked by wisdom and prudence. It’s having and showing discretion in your conduct and in speech, so you’ll know what to say and do at the appropriate time.

“You [set yourselves up to] judge according to the flesh (by what you see). [You condemn by external, human standards.] I (Jesus) do not [set Myself up to] judge or condemn or sentence anyone. Yet even if I do judge, My judgment is true [My decision is right]; for I am not alone [in making it], but [there are two of Us] I and the Father, Who sent Me.” John 8:15-16 AMP

Stop judging the way the world does or you’ll be just as guilty as they are. Your judgment should come from God. Your judgment should come from wisdom. Regardless of what it looks like, sounds like, or seems like, you need to walk by faith.

“For we walk by faith…not by sight or appearance.” 2 Corinthians 5:7 AMP

You need Righteous Judgment to make career decisions. You need Righteous Judgment to find a spouse. You need Righteous Judgment to raise your children. You need Righteous Judgment to choose your friends.

WISDOM IS THE PRINCIPLE THING…SO GET SOME.

How do you develop this Righteous Judgment? You can begin by asking God for it.

“If any of you need to be wise, ask God to make you wise. He gives plenty of wisdom to all people. He is not angry because you ask Him. He will make you wise.” James 1:5 WE

God will mark you with His wisdom if you ask Him. Just pray and ask Him, then He will begin to teach you. Another way to develop this Righteous Judgment is to study God’s Word. Gain as much information as you can. Seek God’s knowledge, because Righteous Judgment is using God’s knowledge at the appropriate time. Develop yourself in the knowledge of God’s Word and He will begin to speak to you.

“For He instructs him in right judgment, his God teaches him.” Isaiah 28:26

Expecting God's Best in Your Life,

Billie Miller

A portion of this article is an excerpt from the Life-Changing book “Life in Righteousness: The Word is Your Life” by Billie Miller. Billie’s mission is to provide empowering information that will elevate the body of Christ. For more information visit www.TheWordisYourLife.com