0:00:10.777,0:00:16.316 There's something I've been thinking about recently - 0:00:16.316,0:00:17.817 we have to check our hearts 0:00:17.817,0:00:21.888 because in a world that's[br]ever increasingly divisive, 0:00:21.888,0:00:25.558 polemic, do we find our[br]hearts slowly slipping 0:00:25.558,0:00:28.228 into being judgemental? 0:00:28.228,0:00:31.064 Divisive? finding it difficult to forgive? 0:00:31.064,0:00:32.899 finding it difficult to be compassionate? 0:00:32.899,0:00:34.601 judging people? 0:00:34.601,0:00:36.202 And I think that's one of the greatest 0:00:36.202,0:00:37.504 temptations that we face, 0:00:37.504,0:00:39.606 to put ourselves in the position of judge 0:00:39.606,0:00:42.909 whereas that's not a[br]position that God gives us 0:00:42.909,0:00:45.178 as children of God. 0:00:45.178,0:00:46.613 Whilst we're on this earth, 0:00:46.613,0:00:49.015 it's not our place to judge 0:00:49.015,0:00:50.383 because God is the judge. 0:00:50.383,0:00:52.252 And I think so many of us, 0:00:52.252,0:00:55.989 maybe consciously or subconsciously[br]find ourselves slipping 0:00:55.989,0:00:59.025 into that judgemental position. 0:00:59.025,0:01:00.927 What can you say about this? 0:01:00.927,0:01:03.663 What is judgement? 0:01:03.663,0:01:07.000 Well, when we judge someone's motives 0:01:07.000,0:01:09.969 or think that we know the reason[br]why someone does something 0:01:09.969,0:01:11.771 and say whether it's good or bad. 0:01:11.771,0:01:13.873 Thank you for saying motive. 0:01:13.873,0:01:17.210 We need to understand[br]when it comes to judgement, 0:01:17.210,0:01:19.379 Jesus' standard of judgement is different 0:01:19.379,0:01:22.148 from man's judgement. 0:01:22.148,0:01:25.785 That the Lord does not judge what we say, 0:01:25.785,0:01:29.055 what we do on face value. 0:01:29.055,0:01:31.291 The Lord always looks at our heart 0:01:31.291,0:01:35.829 to judge the motivation of[br]why we are doing this. 0:01:35.829,0:01:39.599 And that's the purpose[br]that brings God's approval 0:01:39.599,0:01:42.068 or the reproof of God in our actions 0:01:42.068,0:01:44.304 and decisions every day. 0:01:44.304,0:01:47.307 As you said today, 0:01:47.307,0:01:49.309 God is all about relationship. 0:01:49.309,0:01:51.845 We should not forget that the heart 0:01:51.845,0:01:55.315 of the matter of this Bible is to restore 0:01:55.315,0:01:58.418 the relationship between God and man. 0:01:58.418,0:01:59.452 And that's the love relationship. 0:01:59.452,0:02:00.587 Absolutely. 0:02:00.587,0:02:01.855 Not only between God and man, 0:02:01.855,0:02:03.857 to other fellow human beings. 0:02:03.857,0:02:05.191 I say mankind. 0:02:05.191,0:02:08.228 Today relationships are[br]under repair, everywhere. 0:02:08.228,0:02:09.229 Not only towards God, 0:02:09.229,0:02:10.630 but towards our neighbour, 0:02:10.630,0:02:12.532 towards our brothers, towards our sisters, 0:02:12.532,0:02:15.301 towards our friends and towards those[br]who are not our friends. 0:02:15.301,0:02:16.803 Why we are saying this. 0:02:16.803,0:02:20.073 Jesus said, ‘you should[br]love the Lord your God, 0:02:20.073,0:02:21.207 with all your heart, 0:02:21.207,0:02:23.643 with all your mind, with[br]all your strength and? 0:02:23.643,0:02:25.245 Love your neighbour as yourself’. 0:02:25.245,0:02:27.714 Good - as yourself. 0:02:27.714,0:02:31.484 That love starts first[br]with the love of God. 0:02:31.484,0:02:33.920 And that's the love of God in us, 0:02:33.920,0:02:35.555 as the Bible says ‘it’s poured 0:02:35.555,0:02:36.723 by the Holy Spirit in our heart’. 0:02:36.723,0:02:40.894 Romans 5:5, that overflows. 0:02:40.894,0:02:42.695 If I have a cup of water, 0:02:42.695,0:02:45.365 you cannot quench my[br]thirst with a cup of water. 0:02:45.365,0:02:47.767 You share it with me, that's why Jesus said. 0:02:47.767,0:02:49.669 If you know who is speaking to you 0:02:49.669,0:02:53.573 and what is the gift of God in John 4, 0:02:53.573,0:02:55.775 you would've asked me and I will give you? 0:02:55.775,0:02:56.910 Living water. 0:02:56.910,0:02:58.077 Living waters. 0:02:58.077,0:02:59.979 And the water I give you will? 0:02:59.979,0:03:01.181 Well up within you. 0:03:01.181,0:03:04.350 Will well up, overflow[br]to everlasting life. 0:03:04.350,0:03:05.251 Oh my God! 0:03:05.251,0:03:07.020 God has set a table before us 0:03:07.020,0:03:10.023 and He wants us to be blessed abundantly 0:03:10.023,0:03:14.060 so we can have something[br]to share with others. 0:03:14.060,0:03:17.030 It means our request, when we come before God 0:03:17.030,0:03:18.831 should not be self-centred. 0:03:18.831,0:03:20.667 If we ask for God's sake, 0:03:20.667,0:03:23.102 the blessing will overflow. 0:03:23.102,0:03:24.537 If you ask for God's sake, 0:03:24.537,0:03:26.372 God knows you are not[br]asking just for you, 0:03:26.372,0:03:27.540 but for your neighbour. 0:03:27.540,0:03:30.143 That means one of the major obstacles 0:03:30.143,0:03:31.844 is actually selfishness. 0:03:31.844,0:03:32.679 Absolutely. 0:03:32.679,0:03:35.148 And that makes us also[br]want to judge people. 0:03:35.148,0:03:37.350 That is a problem we have. 0:03:37.350,0:03:38.751 That's why James says, 0:03:38.751,0:03:40.053 when we come into God's presence, 0:03:40.053,0:03:42.889 we ask and we don't[br]receive because we ask- 0:03:42.889,0:03:43.723 Wrongly. 0:03:43.723,0:03:44.557 Wrongly, why? 0:03:44.557,0:03:48.695 We ask for selfish,[br]classic, and material reasons. 0:03:48.695,0:03:50.196 The motivation God approves 0:03:50.196,0:03:53.333 is when the reason behind the[br]action is for God's sake. 0:03:53.333,0:03:55.935 And it is only God that[br]can see that motive. 0:03:55.935,0:03:59.339 We can't see people’s motives. 0:03:59.339,0:04:00.707 God can only see it 0:04:00.707,0:04:01.741 and that's what is important 0:04:01.741,0:04:02.575 because we are not asking man, 0:04:02.575,0:04:04.577 we are asking God. 0:04:04.577,0:04:06.346 You want God to hear you. 0:04:06.346,0:04:07.981 We want God to answer our prayers. 0:04:07.981,0:04:12.752 So remember, when we come[br]to Him with our lips, 0:04:12.752,0:04:15.088 He listens to our heart. 0:04:15.088,0:04:18.791 Can we go to Matthew 15:8 0:04:18.791,0:04:22.128 that will lay down the[br]principle of this message. 0:04:22.128,0:04:24.264 Matthew 15:8. 0:04:24.264,0:04:25.965 Let's listen to what Jesus Christ, 0:04:25.965,0:04:27.467 the righteous judge said. 0:04:27.467,0:04:30.370 But don't forget the Bible calls Jesus, 0:04:30.370,0:04:32.338 the judge of the living and of the dead. 0:04:32.338,0:04:33.940 Let's listen to the judgement of Christ. 0:04:33.940,0:04:36.476 "These people draw near[br]to me with their mouth 0:04:36.476,0:04:37.910 and honour me with their lips, 0:04:37.910,0:04:40.680 but their heart is far from me." 0:04:40.680,0:04:41.648 "And in vain they worship me, 0:04:41.648,0:04:44.784 teaching as doctrines,[br]the commandments of men." 0:04:44.784,0:04:46.152 In vain we pray, 0:04:46.152,0:04:49.289 in vain we ask when we[br]come with our mouth alone, 0:04:49.289,0:04:51.224 but our hearts are far from God. 0:04:51.224,0:04:52.825 How sad that is, 0:04:52.825,0:04:54.861 that people think they're worshiping 0:04:54.861,0:04:56.429 but actually it's in vain. 0:04:56.429,0:05:00.833 Yes, because our heart is far from God. 0:05:00.833,0:05:03.436 Means when we come to God, 0:05:03.436,0:05:06.139 we should bring our heart[br]first before our mouth. 0:05:06.139,0:05:08.107 We should not be too quick to speak. 0:05:08.107,0:05:09.108 When you bring your heart, 0:05:09.108,0:05:11.044 when you engage your heart before God, 0:05:11.044,0:05:13.179 the scriptures say we[br]don't know what to ask. 0:05:13.179,0:05:14.280 We don't know what to pray for. 0:05:14.280,0:05:16.382 Romans 8:26-27. 0:05:16.382,0:05:18.117 That's why the Holy Spirit intercedes. 0:05:18.117,0:05:19.185 Absolutely. 0:05:19.185,0:05:21.120 In words we cannot... 0:05:21.120,0:05:22.355 Yes, go ahead. 0:05:22.355,0:05:23.189 Those we cannot. 0:05:23.189,0:05:24.390 We cannot comprehend. 0:05:24.390,0:05:25.558 Thank you. 0:05:25.558,0:05:26.993 When the Holy Spirit comes, 0:05:26.993,0:05:29.529 He will take you to God's presence first 0:05:29.529,0:05:30.330 and then He will help you 0:05:30.330,0:05:32.365 how to pray and what to pray for. 0:05:32.365,0:05:36.235 We often hear that prayer changes things. 0:05:36.235,0:05:37.737 That's not entirely true. 0:05:37.737,0:05:38.571 Yes. 0:05:38.571,0:05:39.405 Prayer changes us. 0:05:39.405,0:05:40.907 Prayer changes us and? 0:05:40.907,0:05:43.509 And faith changes things. 0:05:43.509,0:05:44.977 Faith causes things to happen. 0:05:44.977,0:05:46.746 Let's break that one down. 0:05:46.746,0:05:48.114 Prayer changes me. 0:05:48.114,0:05:50.450 Because it takes our focus off ourselves. 0:05:50.450,0:05:52.452 We all enter God's presence[br]because we have trouble. 0:05:52.452,0:05:55.455 Because nobody comes to[br]Jesus in comfort, am I right? 0:05:55.455,0:05:57.557 Very often we come because of our burden. 0:05:57.557,0:06:00.593 But the Bible says don't be too quick 0:06:00.593,0:06:01.961 to ask for solution. 0:06:01.961,0:06:05.698 Try to find out what God[br]is saying in the matter. 0:06:05.698,0:06:09.335 That's why we bring all[br]burdens before Jesus to God 0:06:09.335,0:06:12.605 and ask Him to know God's[br]opinion on the matter. 0:06:12.605,0:06:14.273 This is God's opinion on the matter 0:06:14.273,0:06:16.909 that will reveal His will on the matter. 0:06:16.909,0:06:21.280 Jesus walking towards the[br]cross was not for Himself, 0:06:21.280,0:06:23.683 it was for you and I, for humankind 0:06:23.683,0:06:25.985 because He said, "Nobody takes my life, 0:06:25.985,0:06:28.454 I lay it down myself. 0:06:28.454,0:06:31.157 I have the power to give my[br]life and to take it back. 0:06:31.157,0:06:33.459 That's the command of my father." 0:06:33.459,0:06:36.863 So it is the motivation that is important. 0:06:36.863,0:06:38.865 When Peter heard what Jesus said, 0:06:38.865,0:06:40.433 "I'm going to Jerusalem, 0:06:40.433,0:06:41.701 they will arrest me, 0:06:41.701,0:06:44.771 they will spit on me[br]and they will kill me. 0:06:44.771,0:06:47.273 On the third day I will rise." 0:06:47.273,0:06:49.275 Peter said, "What? God forbid. 0:06:49.275,0:06:50.410 It will never happen to you." 0:06:50.410,0:06:53.045 Why? selfishness. 0:06:53.045,0:06:56.082 Peter was focusing on[br]himself, on the natural side 0:06:56.082,0:06:58.451 with emotion, with love for Jesus. 0:06:58.451,0:07:01.621 But Jesus was thinking[br]the thoughts of God, 0:07:01.621,0:07:02.789 not the thoughts of man. 0:07:02.789,0:07:05.024 So when we judge situations 0:07:05.024,0:07:07.293 and others from a human point of view, 0:07:07.293,0:07:11.964 it's actually a selfish[br]attitude, is that right? 0:07:11.964,0:07:13.833 Absolutely, because very often 0:07:13.833,0:07:17.470 we judge people because we have a mindset, 0:07:17.470,0:07:18.938 a negative mindset, 0:07:18.938,0:07:20.606 pre-judgement against others 0:07:20.606,0:07:22.008 and that is not good. 0:07:22.008,0:07:24.710 Remember in John 8:11, 0:07:24.710,0:07:27.814 when they brought the[br]adulterous woman before Jesus. 0:07:27.814,0:07:30.683 The Pharisees, the Sadducees,[br]the teachers of the law 0:07:30.683,0:07:33.219 who brought that woman[br]to Jesus for judgement. 0:07:33.219,0:07:34.821 That's why they brought her for judgement. 0:07:34.821,0:07:36.189 Because the law of Moses said, 0:07:36.189,0:07:38.825 anybody who committed sin[br]must be stoned to death. 0:07:38.825,0:07:42.595 So their decision was made already. 0:07:42.595,0:07:45.097 They had a prejudgement[br]on that woman already. 0:07:45.097,0:07:47.467 They judged her in their hearts already. 0:07:47.467,0:07:49.035 They just wanted confirmation. 0:07:49.035,0:07:50.236 And when they brought her to Jesus, they said, 0:07:50.236,0:07:52.738 "Master, the law of Moses said, 0:07:52.738,0:07:57.510 if we catch any person in[br]the act of doing adultery, 0:07:57.510,0:07:59.745 that such a person should[br]be stoned to death." 0:07:59.745,0:08:00.913 That's what the law of Moses said. 0:08:00.913,0:08:02.315 They were trying to trick Him. 0:08:02.315,0:08:05.117 You, what do you say? 0:08:05.117,0:08:07.987 So when we take the[br]situation on literal senses, 0:08:07.987,0:08:11.657 on the letter, you are going to stone the woman. 0:08:11.657,0:08:12.492 That's what the letter says. 0:08:12.492,0:08:13.392 That's why even a judge, 0:08:13.392,0:08:15.261 when you go to any court today, 0:08:15.261,0:08:17.396 no judge will go by the face value. 0:08:17.396,0:08:20.533 They do investigation to find out 0:08:20.533,0:08:22.435 what was the motivation of the person. 0:08:22.435,0:08:23.970 You will never condemn any person 0:08:23.970,0:08:27.139 if you learn the person[br]has a psychiatric problem. 0:08:27.139,0:08:31.010 The first thing is if the person has his own mind. 0:08:31.010,0:08:32.745 Has he done this act wilfully, 0:08:32.745,0:08:35.114 consciously with all of his mind? 0:08:35.114,0:08:37.116 That's when guilt can come. 0:08:37.116,0:08:39.552 Because if the person is out of his mind, 0:08:39.552,0:08:40.987 because he has a psychiatric problem, 0:08:40.987,0:08:42.922 you cannot say he expresses will. 0:08:42.922,0:08:44.624 He doesn't know what he's doing. 0:08:44.624,0:08:46.993 So rather than judge[br]him, and take him to prison, 0:08:46.993,0:08:48.728 they would take him to[br]hospital for treatment 0:08:48.728,0:08:50.897 and that was the right judgement, right? 0:08:50.897,0:08:53.332 But in the case we're talking about, 0:08:53.332,0:08:55.434 when they brought the woman to Jesus, 0:08:55.434,0:08:57.570 Jesus looked at them and said, 0:08:57.570,0:09:00.907 "If any of you has never committed sin, 0:09:00.907,0:09:04.443 be the first to throw the stone." 0:09:04.443,0:09:07.446 I just love that word that Jesus spoke 0:09:07.446,0:09:09.282 because it just shows 0:09:09.282,0:09:12.151 that Jesus is the father of every heart, 0:09:12.151,0:09:16.289 every heart from now[br]till the end of the ages. 0:09:16.289,0:09:18.891 And everyone has to answer to Him, 0:09:18.891,0:09:19.959 whether we understand it or not, 0:09:19.959,0:09:21.160 or we realize it or not. 0:09:21.160,0:09:23.095 We do have to answer to Him 0:09:23.095,0:09:25.331 and that is why He knew 0:09:25.331,0:09:27.333 what had happened in each person's heart 0:09:27.333,0:09:29.068 because He knew the motive. 0:09:29.068,0:09:32.138 And that's why only He was in the position 0:09:32.138,0:09:34.507 to say that judgement. 0:09:34.507,0:09:40.046 Rightful judgement is to get[br]into the heart of the matter. 0:09:40.046,0:09:41.847 And you can't do that[br]without the Holy Spirit. 0:09:41.847,0:09:43.449 No, because the Holy Spirit 0:09:43.449,0:09:45.518 always gets into the heart of the matter. 0:09:45.518,0:09:49.655 He never judges a situation[br]by face value, over hearsay, 0:09:49.655,0:09:51.223 or by what a situation looks like. 0:09:51.223,0:09:53.259 He looks beyond, to the heart 0:09:53.259,0:09:55.761 to find out the motivation of the person 0:09:55.761,0:09:57.063 behind that action. 0:09:57.063,0:09:58.731 And we should not be quick to judge. 0:09:58.731,0:10:01.133 Not be too quick to judge. 0:10:01.133,0:10:02.702 If the rightful judge who sees the heart 0:10:02.702,0:10:04.570 does not rush into judgement, 0:10:04.570,0:10:06.439 why should we rush into judgement? 0:10:06.439,0:10:12.244 That's why many relationships[br]have been so strained 0:10:12.244,0:10:16.015 because we judge people on today 0:10:16.015,0:10:18.017 and we don't know what tomorrow brings. 0:10:18.017,0:10:19.285 Husband and wife. 0:10:19.285,0:10:21.287 Today we have many. 0:10:21.287,0:10:23.556 If I ask, if we are honest, 0:10:23.556,0:10:27.226 we have so many marriages, relationships, 0:10:27.226,0:10:29.595 marital relationships that are strained today 0:10:29.595,0:10:32.999 because of this mindset. 0:10:32.999,0:10:37.203 Marriage is a unity of[br]heart and purpose, and mind. 0:10:37.203,0:10:39.205 The heart agrees, right? 0:10:39.205,0:10:40.606 If our heart agrees, 0:10:40.606,0:10:43.376 we should not have any[br]division in our hearts. 0:10:43.376,0:10:46.445 And that's why God said[br]in the Book of Malachi 2, 0:10:46.445,0:10:47.913 "I am the witness of your wedding." 0:10:47.913,0:10:49.382 That's what God said. 0:10:49.382,0:10:52.418 "Be careful that in your[br]heart you will not betray 0:10:52.418,0:10:54.053 your wife or your husband." 0:10:54.053,0:10:55.955 The heart, that's why Jesus say, 0:10:55.955,0:10:58.090 ‘if a man looks at a woman 0:10:58.090,0:10:59.825 in his heart without saying any word, 0:10:59.825,0:11:01.761 but desires to have[br]relationship with a woman, 0:11:01.761,0:11:04.730 he has committed adultery in his heart’. 0:11:04.730,0:11:07.266 Jesus always gets into[br]the heart of the matter, 0:11:07.266,0:11:09.602 the heart, and He said, 0:11:09.602,0:11:11.937 "If any of you has not committed any sin, 0:11:11.937,0:11:13.773 be the first to throw." 0:11:13.773,0:11:15.908 He just demonstrated[br]with just that sentence 0:11:15.908,0:11:17.076 that He's the father of every heart. 0:11:17.076,0:11:19.278 Absolutely, by saying this, 0:11:19.278,0:11:22.114 the motivation, what brought[br]that woman to that act 0:11:22.114,0:11:24.350 however sinful it is, 0:11:24.350,0:11:26.552 the same temptation[br]everybody's faced with today. 0:11:26.552,0:11:29.121 The hierarchy of sin can[br]only be determined by Jesus. 0:11:29.121,0:11:30.156 Sin is sin. 0:11:30.156,0:11:33.059 Lying is sin, killing is sin. 0:11:33.059,0:11:37.630 The sin of Adam, just disobeying. 0:11:37.630,0:11:40.700 The sin of Adam that[br]disobedience of eating a fruit, 0:11:40.700,0:11:43.669 I say, How can this bring death to him? 0:11:43.669,0:11:45.538 Not only to him, but to the whole world. 0:11:45.538,0:11:47.840 What matters is not the action, 0:11:47.840,0:11:49.975 but the motivation behind the action. 0:11:49.975,0:11:52.645 We'll have time to talk about it in depth. 0:11:52.645,0:11:55.381 But if you see.. 0:11:55.381,0:11:57.149 Yeah, because he wilfully disobeyed God 0:11:57.149,0:11:59.318 and he had chance to repent and he didn't. 0:11:59.318,0:12:00.686 Good. 0:12:00.686,0:12:02.788 If I see you doing something 0:12:02.788,0:12:05.491 which does not seem right to me, 0:12:05.491,0:12:07.626 which does not seem, 0:12:07.626,0:12:12.098 instead of me praying over it or asking you, 0:12:12.098,0:12:13.733 I come to a conclusion 0:12:13.733,0:12:16.235 because I expect you[br]to do the right thing. 0:12:16.235,0:12:20.139 So I say, "Ah, what she did[br]it seems strange to me." 0:12:20.139,0:12:23.142 Instead of enquiring[br]from God or finding out, 0:12:23.142,0:12:25.044 you come to a quick mindset and judgement. 0:12:25.044,0:12:27.379 That's why mindset is a problem. 0:12:27.379,0:12:28.380 Negative mindset. 0:12:28.380,0:12:29.715 Negative mindset, 0:12:29.715,0:12:30.850 bad feeling towards others. 0:12:30.850,0:12:34.086 Prejudgement which is fed by pure ignorance 0:12:34.086,0:12:36.322 can come to a judgement, wrong judgement. 0:12:36.322,0:12:37.757 That's why I was thinking of, 0:12:37.757,0:12:40.626 well, I said at the beginning[br]that we as believers, 0:12:40.626,0:12:42.628 we are supposed to be with a difference. 0:12:42.628,0:12:45.197 We're in this world but not part of it. 0:12:45.197,0:12:51.170 So we should refrain[br]from allowing our hearts 0:12:51.170,0:12:57.576 to be drawn to division, to judgement, 0:12:57.576,0:12:59.311 to anger, to bitterness 0:12:59.311,0:13:02.782 when we see or hear things[br]that are happening around us. 0:13:02.782,0:13:04.517 And rather we should do what is good 0:13:04.517,0:13:05.618 to change the bad we see, 0:13:05.618,0:13:06.852 be a force for love. 0:13:06.852,0:13:09.088 Judgement is a double-edged sword. 0:13:09.088,0:13:12.424 You can judge what is not right, 0:13:12.424,0:13:14.727 but you must have a sense of[br]judgement to do what is right, 0:13:14.727,0:13:16.896 and that is what I want to say. 0:13:16.896,0:13:18.230 If I have judgement, it’s not just to say 0:13:18.230,0:13:20.666 "This is bad, this is bad." 0:13:20.666,0:13:22.501 But rightful judgement says, "This is good, 0:13:22.501,0:13:24.370 This is what we should do." 0:13:24.370,0:13:26.739 Yes, it is double sided. 0:13:26.739,0:13:28.140 What I mean. 0:13:28.140,0:13:32.144 Okay, when I enter into a[br]relationship with a person, 0:13:32.144,0:13:33.479 what is the motivation to say 0:13:33.479,0:13:36.115 this is the person, this is this. 0:13:36.115,0:13:38.918 Before you go, the Bible[br]says, ‘Enquire from God’. 0:13:38.918,0:13:40.186 When you enquire from God, 0:13:40.186,0:13:42.855 you have the rightful[br]judgement of anything you do. 0:13:42.855,0:13:44.723 You will know the right place to go, 0:13:44.723,0:13:46.225 the right type of people to meet, 0:13:46.225,0:13:47.626 the right type of job to have. 0:13:47.626,0:13:48.460 That's rightful judgement 0:13:48.460,0:13:51.230 we need to have the positive side of it. 0:13:51.230,0:13:53.332 If we have rightful judgement 0:13:53.332,0:13:56.902 and that cannot happen without[br]enquiring from the Holy Spirit, 0:13:56.902,0:13:59.839 then we should guard[br]against judging people. 0:13:59.839,0:14:02.541 Because no one is righteous, not even one. 0:14:02.541,0:14:04.143 Without the Holy Ghost we cannot get 0:14:04.143,0:14:06.245 into the heart of the matter. 0:14:06.245,0:14:09.014 If you ask anyone who[br]is honest and sincere, 0:14:09.014,0:14:11.383 what type of person they want to marry, 0:14:11.383,0:14:12.518 they want to live with, 0:14:12.518,0:14:14.987 they will mention criteria 0:14:14.987,0:14:19.925 that are all based on the outside. 0:14:19.925,0:14:22.328 Beautiful eyes, beautiful nose, 0:14:22.328,0:14:23.996 beautiful body, tall, whatever. 0:14:23.996,0:14:25.531 Everybody has his own, 0:14:25.531,0:14:28.601 How do you call it? Preferences. 0:14:28.601,0:14:29.768 But, 0:14:29.768,0:14:31.403 The most important is the inside. 0:14:31.403,0:14:32.538 Who will talk about the heart? 0:14:32.538,0:14:34.540 A man or woman that fears God. 0:14:34.540,0:14:37.209 That's the heart. 0:14:37.209,0:14:40.546 Our heart does things before our mouth. 0:14:40.546,0:14:42.882 That's the motivation. 0:14:42.882,0:14:43.716 That's why the Bible says, 0:14:43.716,0:14:46.952 ‘When you think negatively, 0:14:46.952,0:14:50.990 you are bound to speak[br]negatively and act negatively’. 0:14:50.990,0:14:54.994 That's why the Lord warns[br]everybody in that Matthew 15:8, 0:14:54.994,0:14:59.198 ‘That what defiles us is[br]what comes from our mouth. 0:14:59.198,0:15:01.834 All our motivation, anger, 0:15:01.834,0:15:04.503 resentment, divorce, separation, attack 0:15:04.503,0:15:08.507 always comes from the heart of a person. 0:15:08.507,0:15:10.009 That's why, remember when Peter said 0:15:10.009,0:15:13.612 to Ananias in Act 5, 0:15:13.612,0:15:15.948 that's a clear example of judgement. 0:15:15.948,0:15:17.917 Let's take the example. 0:15:17.917,0:15:20.753 At the early church in the beginning, 0:15:20.753,0:15:24.356 the disciples were selling[br]all their properties 0:15:24.356,0:15:27.192 and bringing them in common to the Treasury. 0:15:27.192,0:15:29.862 So, anybody who was in need[br]received help, right? 0:15:29.862,0:15:30.896 Yeah. 0:15:30.896,0:15:33.933 We have Ananias and Sapphira, 0:15:33.933,0:15:35.768 they came to the apostle,[br]they sold their property. 0:15:35.768,0:15:37.202 It was their own property. 0:15:37.202,0:15:38.904 They had the right to do[br]whatever they wanted to do with it. 0:15:38.904,0:15:40.706 They sold their property. 0:15:40.706,0:15:42.908 Let's say the house was 1 million. 0:15:42.908,0:15:48.847 They said, "Let's tell them (disciples)that[br]the house was half, 500,000." 0:15:48.847,0:15:51.884 They came and said, "Okay,[br]our house was sold for 500,000. 0:15:51.884,0:15:53.152 This is the 500,000." 0:15:53.152,0:15:55.387 And the rest, they kept it. 0:15:55.387,0:15:56.455 That's what they did. 0:15:56.455,0:15:59.024 It was their property. 0:15:59.024,0:16:01.860 They could have said, "Okay, I give you 500." 0:16:01.860,0:16:04.330 If they said to Peter,[br]the house is 1 million, 0:16:04.330,0:16:06.498 I get 500 and I give. 0:16:06.498,0:16:07.933 Nothing would've happened I really believe 0:16:07.933,0:16:08.767 because you're free. 0:16:08.767,0:16:10.669 It's your free will[br]offering from your heart. 0:16:10.669,0:16:13.305 But they were trying to, they lied. 0:16:13.305,0:16:15.140 They kept that entirely from Jesus and said that 0:16:15.140,0:16:18.777 the house is sold at this price. 0:16:18.777,0:16:21.580 Peter was a man led by the Holy Ghost 0:16:21.580,0:16:24.116 with rightful judgement. 0:16:24.116,0:16:25.317 He enquired from the Holy Spirit, 0:16:25.317,0:16:26.385 And the Holy Spirit revealed him the truth, 0:16:26.385,0:16:28.921 that the price of the[br]house is not what they said. 0:16:28.921,0:16:31.123 This is the real price. 0:16:31.123,0:16:34.059 When Peter heard this, what did he say? 0:16:34.059,0:16:36.362 He said, ‘You have sinned[br]against the Holy Spirit’. 0:16:36.362,0:16:39.298 Why did you allow satan to fill your heart 0:16:39.298,0:16:42.001 so that you can lie to the Holy Spirit. 0:16:42.001,0:16:45.871 You have not lied to man but to God. 0:16:45.871,0:16:46.839 That was the judgement. 0:16:46.839,0:16:48.307 And when we read the Bible they got scared 0:16:48.307,0:16:50.042 by the judgement that came. 0:16:50.042,0:16:51.777 And immediately what happened to them? 0:16:51.777,0:16:54.079 they fell dead. 0:16:54.079,0:16:55.014 Anytime I read that passage, 0:16:55.014,0:16:55.914 I get extremely scared. 0:16:55.914,0:16:57.883 I say, thank God, we don't have this. 0:16:57.883,0:17:00.853 But there was a sense of[br]judgement, rightful judgement, 0:17:00.853,0:17:04.256 which was extremely clear[br]on the motivation of actions. 0:17:04.256,0:17:06.158 And also knowing that the[br]Holy Spirit is there 0:17:06.158,0:17:08.060 in every single decision that you make, 0:17:08.060,0:17:10.829 every single thought in your heart, 0:17:10.829,0:17:12.798 the Holy Spirit is witness to that. 0:17:12.798,0:17:14.466 Thank you for saying this. 0:17:14.466,0:17:17.102 Now, if you have awareness,[br]if I have awareness that 0:17:17.102,0:17:20.339 the Holy Ghost is inside of me, 0:17:20.339,0:17:23.108 I should be extremely[br]careful of my thoughts 0:17:23.108,0:17:26.378 first before I talk about my words, 0:17:26.378,0:17:30.249 because everything starts in the thoughts. 0:17:30.249,0:17:32.551 That's why as a Christian, a believer 0:17:32.551,0:17:36.055 should be careful of what he looks at, 0:17:36.055,0:17:37.623 what he sees, what he touches 0:17:37.623,0:17:40.225 that can influence his thoughts. 0:17:40.225,0:17:43.362 Bad feelings, negative[br]thoughts start from here. 0:17:43.362,0:17:44.296 You don't need to express it, 0:17:44.296,0:17:45.864 but God hears it 0:17:45.864,0:17:47.766 and it matters to the Holy Spirit. 0:17:47.766,0:17:49.668 That's why when we have the sensitivity 0:17:49.668,0:17:52.438 of God's presence in our[br]heart through the Holy Ghost, 0:17:52.438,0:17:54.506 anytime our mind begins to drift 0:17:54.506,0:17:57.376 towards something that's not right, 0:17:57.376,0:17:59.144 your conscious will judge you immediately 0:17:59.144,0:17:59.978 because of who? 0:17:59.978,0:18:01.880 Because the Holy Ghost[br]will prompt your heart 0:18:01.880,0:18:03.549 before you step into action. 0:18:03.549,0:18:05.818 That's why we need[br]to always be sensitive 0:18:05.818,0:18:07.119 to the voice of our conscience, 0:18:07.119,0:18:09.188 because that's how the[br]Holy Spirit speaks to us. 0:18:09.188,0:18:11.323 Absolutely, that's why James said, 0:18:11.323,0:18:13.358 ‘Nobody can tempt God, God cannot be tempted’. 0:18:13.358,0:18:17.096 But sin is when we are[br]attracted by our own desires, 0:18:17.096,0:18:20.499 by our own will that we are enticed 0:18:20.499,0:18:24.436 to fall into the temptation[br]of pre-judging others. 0:18:24.436,0:18:26.972 The question is, the person[br]you are judging today, 0:18:26.972,0:18:30.909 no matter how bad the person may seem 0:18:30.909,0:18:34.446 or look to you on human judgement, 0:18:34.446,0:18:39.351 ask yourself, what does Jesus[br]think about that person? 0:18:39.351,0:18:41.120 Because we're not God. 0:18:41.120,0:18:42.988 We have to keep reminding ourselves that. 0:18:42.988,0:18:46.058 God's standard of judgement[br]is different from our own. 0:18:46.058,0:18:47.960 God tests our heart to reward us 0:18:47.960,0:18:53.298 because His focus is the[br]motive behind what we do. 0:18:53.298,0:18:54.833 Exactly. 0:18:54.833,0:18:57.836 Saul, you know Saul? 0:18:57.836,0:18:59.171 Who was Saul? 0:18:59.171,0:19:01.173 Well, Saul was the one 0:19:01.173,0:19:03.275 who was persecuting all the Christians. 0:19:03.275,0:19:06.445 Yes, terribly in a very harsh way. 0:19:06.445,0:19:08.714 Forcing them to blaspheme,[br]persecuting them. 0:19:08.714,0:19:10.883 Yet God said he was His chosen vessel. 0:19:10.883,0:19:14.019 Yes, though when he was[br]going to persecute the people 0:19:14.019,0:19:16.755 in Damascus having[br]letters of recommendation 0:19:16.755,0:19:17.890 from the teachers of[br]the law with full force. 0:19:17.890,0:19:21.126 Even Stephen, he stood[br]there as Stephen was killed 0:19:21.126,0:19:22.294 and stoned to death. 0:19:22.294,0:19:24.563 Yes, that was his zeal. 0:19:24.563,0:19:26.865 But he had a zeal for the law of Moses, 0:19:26.865,0:19:32.271 but zeal marked with[br]ignorance of spiritual things. 0:19:32.271,0:19:34.606 He judged the situation on the letter. 0:19:34.606,0:19:36.875 He judged the situation on the letter. 0:19:36.875,0:19:38.810 For the Word of God, when we[br]approach it in the letter, 0:19:38.810,0:19:40.579 we have the wrong judgement. 0:19:40.579,0:19:44.616 There's the letter of the Word,[br]There’s the spirit of the Word. 0:19:44.616,0:19:45.584 Wait, say that again. 0:19:45.584,0:19:47.286 There's the letter of the Word 0:19:47.286,0:19:49.087 and we have the spirit of the Word. 0:19:49.087,0:19:50.689 The divine meaning of the Word. 0:19:50.689,0:19:53.358 So you can be very committed, 0:19:53.358,0:19:56.261 zealous towards the letter of the Word 0:19:56.261,0:19:58.230 and yet completely missing the point. 0:19:58.230,0:19:59.865 If it's not in spirit, it's not in truth 0:19:59.865,0:20:00.699 and so it's all nothing. 0:20:00.699,0:20:01.900 That's what Jesus said to them. 0:20:01.900,0:20:04.236 If you know that I delight in mercy, 0:20:04.236,0:20:06.572 you'll never condemn innocent people. 0:20:06.572,0:20:07.639 That's what Jesus said. 0:20:07.639,0:20:11.743 Jesus met Ananias, one of the disciples 0:20:11.743,0:20:15.247 who knew who Saul was in the dream. 0:20:15.247,0:20:17.115 And when Jesus mentioned the name of Saul, 0:20:17.115,0:20:21.787 he said, "Hey Lord, this man is a wolf. 0:20:21.787,0:20:22.621 He's a terrible person." 0:20:22.621,0:20:24.723 No, I mean just think[br]about it in today's society, 0:20:24.723,0:20:29.528 if someone who's publicly[br]persecuting people 0:20:29.528,0:20:31.463 that believe in Jesus, 0:20:31.463,0:20:33.565 and then suddenly God reveals to you 0:20:33.565,0:20:36.301 that, ‘Oh, this is actually[br]the one I want to use 0:20:36.301,0:20:38.503 as my chosen vessel’. Wow! 0:20:38.503,0:20:39.605 And that's what happened. 0:20:39.605,0:20:41.707 And I mean, yeah. 0:20:41.707,0:20:46.345 The motivation behind the action[br]of Saul was pure ignorance. 0:20:46.345,0:20:48.347 He had a zeal without knowledge. 0:20:48.347,0:20:52.517 And he even said it in[br]that Book of Timothy 1. 0:20:52.517,0:20:55.387 But now, what was the[br]answer of Jesus to him? 0:20:55.387,0:20:56.788 He's my chosen vessel. 0:20:56.788,0:20:59.424 God does not consider our now, 0:20:59.424,0:21:01.660 our past to determine our future. 0:21:01.660,0:21:03.695 We need to understand that. 0:21:03.695,0:21:05.864 Because Jesus is a tomorrow thinker, 0:21:05.864,0:21:07.065 He has vision. 0:21:07.065,0:21:08.000 Thank you. 0:21:08.000,0:21:10.102 Jesus is looking at your tomorrow. 0:21:10.102,0:21:10.936 Thank you. 0:21:10.936,0:21:12.771 Even your 10 years from now. 0:21:12.771,0:21:13.605 Thank you. 0:21:13.605,0:21:14.439 Your 20 years from now. 0:21:14.439,0:21:15.707 This is what matters to Jesus. 0:21:15.707,0:21:18.377 But we are so concentrated[br]on now, now, now 0:21:18.377,0:21:19.878 and even not now but yesterday. 0:21:19.878,0:21:21.847 The pain of the past, 0:21:21.847,0:21:25.617 the betrayal of the past, 0:21:25.617,0:21:27.519 the disappointment of the past, 0:21:27.519,0:21:30.422 the scars of the past we're[br]so full of all these scars 0:21:30.422,0:21:33.592 that we find it difficult[br]to even live today, 0:21:33.592,0:21:37.963 let alone trust our tomorrow[br]in the hands of Jesus. 0:21:37.963,0:21:41.466 And yet Jesus knows what[br]we can become tomorrow 0:21:41.466,0:21:43.468 if we fully submit to Him 0:21:43.468,0:21:44.836 and that's what he's looking at. 0:21:44.836,0:21:48.006 I always remember Prophet TB Joshua 0:21:48.006,0:21:49.207 was such a man of vision. 0:21:49.207,0:21:51.510 He looked at us, a situation where 0:21:51.510,0:21:53.612 when we came so many years ago, 0:21:53.612,0:21:55.147 there was no way, 0:21:55.147,0:21:56.548 all of this was in our mind. 0:21:56.548,0:22:00.519 No, we just wanted to not miss salvation. 0:22:00.519,0:22:03.789 Yet God knew, God knew[br]because God knew the plan 0:22:03.789,0:22:06.458 He had for every single person. 0:22:06.458,0:22:11.463 Jesus never, never,[br]never considers your past 0:22:11.463,0:22:14.499 to determine your future. 0:22:14.499,0:22:17.436 Jesus came to change our lives, 0:22:17.436,0:22:19.171 to change our focus. 0:22:19.171,0:22:24.242 We humans, we keep record[br]of the offenses of the past. 0:22:24.242,0:22:27.579 We keep a record of[br]every wrong done to us. 0:22:27.579,0:22:31.016 That's why we find it[br]so difficult to forgive. 0:22:31.016,0:22:34.753 ‘Ah, you have done it again, again’. 0:22:34.753,0:22:36.521 We keep record of the past. 0:22:36.521,0:22:37.389 But the Bible says, 0:22:37.389,0:22:41.126 ‘Loves keeps no record of wrong. 0:22:41.126,0:22:43.462 When Jesus looked at you and I, 0:22:43.462,0:22:45.330 as He did for the Samaritan woman, 0:22:45.330,0:22:50.469 His purpose is to give[br]you a new focus of the future. 0:22:50.469,0:22:52.838 Satan the devil we all know, 0:22:52.838,0:22:57.976 always speaks about our[br]past, our unworthy past. 0:22:57.976,0:23:01.880 No one was born righteous, no one. 0:23:01.880,0:23:05.016 But Jesus has come to remove that past 0:23:05.016,0:23:06.251 and give you a new future that can change. 0:23:06.251,0:23:07.085 And He can do it for you, 0:23:07.085,0:23:08.920 He can do it for someone else as well 0:23:08.920,0:23:11.857 that you are currently looking[br]at with the eyes of judgement. 0:23:11.857,0:23:14.860 If Jesus can remove our past 0:23:14.860,0:23:16.928 and point us to the future, 0:23:16.928,0:23:19.097 then he can do it for everyone. 0:23:19.097,0:23:21.800 That is why we shouldn't judge[br]anyone on account of today 0:23:21.800,0:23:23.602 because tomorrow is a mystery. 0:23:23.602,0:23:27.539 So, when the Pharisees brought that lady, 0:23:27.539,0:23:29.408 they were considering her past. 0:23:29.408,0:23:31.543 But you say rightfully, 0:23:31.543,0:23:33.578 tomorrow is a mystery that only God knows. 0:23:33.578,0:23:37.149 When Jesus is correcting[br]you and me, all of us, 0:23:37.149,0:23:39.851 it's because of the future. 0:23:39.851,0:23:42.854 When God says, "Don't do this." 0:23:42.854,0:23:44.356 You may not do it today, 0:23:44.356,0:23:46.425 but you may do it tomorrow. 0:23:46.425,0:23:49.628 Correction, judgement,[br]everything God has spoken 0:23:49.628,0:23:51.530 through the mouth of[br]the prophet as a warning 0:23:51.530,0:23:53.165 is for the future. 0:23:53.165,0:23:54.966 When God said to the prophet Jeremiah, 0:23:54.966,0:23:58.236 ‘Tell them that if they[br]continue to do this, 0:23:58.236,0:23:59.905 I will send the enemy. 0:23:59.905,0:24:02.307 Nebuchadnezzar will come,[br]He will burn the city. 0:24:02.307,0:24:03.642 He will kill everybody’. 0:24:03.642,0:24:07.512 But God was saying this to[br]trigger a sense of repentance. 0:24:07.512,0:24:10.148 So they can say, “Hey God, sorry, we come back, 0:24:10.148,0:24:11.783 we stop doing evil, we come back to you." 0:24:11.783,0:24:13.952 That's true, because it's how we respond 0:24:13.952,0:24:16.321 to that correction or that judgement 0:24:16.321,0:24:18.690 that is actually what Jesus[br]is looking at as well. 0:24:18.690,0:24:20.926 That will determine your future. 0:24:20.926,0:24:24.162 Your response to correction[br]determines your future. 0:24:24.162,0:24:25.597 And when we talk about correction here, 0:24:25.597,0:24:27.699 we mean correction in the[br]power of the Holy Spirit. 0:24:27.699,0:24:28.500 Absolutely. 0:24:28.500,0:24:30.235 You know, when you read your Bible 0:24:30.235,0:24:32.571 and something comes to your heart, 0:24:32.571,0:24:35.407 that can be God correcting you 0:24:35.407,0:24:38.176 because the Word of God has power. 0:24:38.176,0:24:40.812 Power, for converting[br]power, purifying power. 0:24:40.812,0:24:41.980 It's a double-edged sword. 0:24:41.980,0:24:44.483 So, you mentioned correction. 0:24:44.483,0:24:45.450 How do you do correction? 0:24:45.450,0:24:47.018 Correction is not judgement. 0:24:47.018,0:24:50.255 There's a difference between[br]correction and judgement. 0:24:50.255,0:24:52.958 Judgement is a mindset, 0:24:52.958,0:24:54.793 a preset judgement in your mind already. 0:24:54.793,0:24:57.062 You have decided to[br]judge the person already. 0:24:57.062,0:24:57.996 But correction 0:24:57.996,0:24:59.364 is to help someone. 0:24:59.364,0:25:01.833 Is to help the person to change. 0:25:01.833,0:25:03.635 How do you correct a person? 0:25:03.635,0:25:04.803 Don't say, "Hey, this is bad. 0:25:04.803,0:25:05.637 You are this, you are this." 0:25:05.637,0:25:06.905 That's condemnation. 0:25:06.905,0:25:09.841 Do what is good in the sight of the person 0:25:09.841,0:25:12.677 to change the bad you see, 0:25:12.677,0:25:15.113 That's why the Bible[br]tells us in Galatians 6 0:25:15.113,0:25:17.349 that we should be gentle 0:25:17.349,0:25:18.183 in our correction. 0:25:18.183,0:25:20.018 That is be a leader by example. 0:25:20.018,0:25:23.021 Example means let your character show. 0:25:23.021,0:25:25.290 Let the person see in the way you speak, 0:25:25.290,0:25:28.927 act, a reason to come to[br]you to say, "I'm sorry." 0:25:28.927,0:25:31.396 Do what is good in the sight of God 0:25:31.396,0:25:33.798 to change the bad you see. 0:25:33.798,0:25:37.135 If the person is an angry person, be gentle. 0:25:37.135,0:25:39.037 Let him see your gentleness. 0:25:39.037,0:25:40.238 So, he can say, I'm sorry. 0:25:40.238,0:25:41.973 If the person has pride, 0:25:41.973,0:25:43.441 we don't respond by pride. 0:25:43.441,0:25:45.143 Let him see humility. 0:25:45.143,0:25:47.412 Let your humility convince him to say, 0:25:47.412,0:25:49.981 "I'm sorry." 0:25:49.981,0:25:52.117 Two wrongs cannot make what? 0:25:52.117,0:25:52.951 A right. 0:25:52.951,0:25:53.919 So, what do you do? 0:25:53.919,0:25:56.321 The weapons of righteousness. 0:25:56.321,0:25:58.189 The Bible says, when we see a situation, 0:25:58.189,0:26:00.659 don't be too quick to judge. 0:26:00.659,0:26:02.694 You should find out from God's perspective 0:26:02.694,0:26:05.297 what is the mind of God about[br]that situation we judge. 0:26:05.297,0:26:08.600 Today we arrogate the position[br]of God to judge people. 0:26:08.600,0:26:10.035 Correction is our duty, 0:26:10.035,0:26:11.736 but judgement is God's duty. 0:26:11.736,0:26:13.238 Correction in love. 0:26:13.238,0:26:14.072 In love of course. 0:26:14.072,0:26:15.373 And with the right motivation. 0:26:15.373,0:26:17.375 Correction, not to see someone fall down, 0:26:17.375,0:26:18.510 but to help someone. 0:26:18.510,0:26:22.347 In fact, I really really[br]appreciate all those 0:26:22.347,0:26:23.515 throughout my journey 0:26:23.515,0:26:27.852 who took time to correct[br]me for God's sake. 0:26:27.852,0:26:30.088 I really see the product of that, 0:26:30.088,0:26:32.657 the consequence of that,[br]the result of that. 0:26:32.657,0:26:36.094 And that's why the Bible[br]says in the Book of Proverbs, 0:26:36.094,0:26:38.597 if you are wise, you should[br]not despise correction. 0:26:38.597,0:26:40.065 You should appreciate correction 0:26:40.065,0:26:41.566 in the power of the Holy Spirit. 0:26:41.566,0:26:43.868 When you say the[br]power of Holy Spirit, it means 0:26:43.868,0:26:46.104 judgement leads to punishment, right? 0:26:46.104,0:26:47.839 But correction leads to amendment, 0:26:47.839,0:26:50.442 repentance and reconciliation. 0:26:50.442,0:26:53.678 There are two ways of[br]approaching this Holy Bible. 0:26:53.678,0:26:58.249 Jesus, His attitude was[br]constant correction, 0:26:58.249,0:26:59.250 showing God's standard of doing things. 0:26:59.250,0:27:00.685 showing God's standard of doing things. 0:27:00.685,0:27:03.622 When the Pharisees were opposing Him, 0:27:03.622,0:27:05.323 asking Him questions, 0:27:05.323,0:27:08.827 Jesus responded with the wisdom of God. 0:27:08.827,0:27:11.663 He spoke what is right[br]in the sight of God. 0:27:11.663,0:27:14.566 When you think right,[br]speak right and act right 0:27:14.566,0:27:15.734 in the sight of God, 0:27:15.734,0:27:16.968 you are correcting everybody. 0:27:16.968,0:27:18.937 People are reading you. 0:27:18.937,0:27:22.941 We talk about Prophet[br]TB Joshua, well you are right. 0:27:22.941,0:27:27.679 His lifestyle was a constant[br]correction to everyone of us. 0:27:27.679,0:27:28.613 Why correction? 0:27:28.613,0:27:32.751 You will see the way he[br]attended to the simple people, 0:27:32.751,0:27:36.021 to the poor, to even those offending him. 0:27:36.021,0:27:37.555 His reaction towards them. 0:27:37.555,0:27:39.891 You would never see him fighting people, 0:27:39.891,0:27:42.394 answering back, never. 0:27:42.394,0:27:45.096 His attitude, humility,[br]doing what is right 0:27:45.096,0:27:47.899 in the sight of God to[br]change the bad you see. 0:27:47.899,0:27:50.335 So now the weapons of righteousness 0:27:50.335,0:27:52.771 are the fruit of the spirit. 0:27:52.771,0:27:55.440 So, exercise the fruit of the spirit 0:27:55.440,0:27:57.308 in the face of the fruit of the flesh 0:27:57.308,0:27:59.377 and that's the change we're talking about. 0:27:59.377,0:28:03.481 Let your character reflect Christ’s character. 0:28:03.481,0:28:06.718 If people insult you, don't insult back. 0:28:06.718,0:28:09.254 If you insult back what's the difference? 0:28:09.254,0:28:12.857 Jesus said, "If you love[br]only those who you love, 0:28:12.857,0:28:15.260 even those you say are unjust,[br]they love the children. 0:28:15.260,0:28:17.529 Anybody can do it, but love your enemy. 0:28:17.529,0:28:19.798 Pray for those who persecute you. 0:28:19.798,0:28:21.166 Bless, do not curse. 0:28:21.166,0:28:23.702 That's the weapons of[br]righteousness we're talking about. 0:28:23.702,0:28:25.303 And that will actually disarm those 0:28:25.303,0:28:30.175 who have a bad judgement of you. 0:28:30.175,0:28:32.644 This does not mean[br]correction will not take place. 0:28:32.644,0:28:34.879 Correction is our duty. 0:28:34.879,0:28:39.184 If we see something wrong, correct in love 0:28:39.184,0:28:41.820 by telling the truth,[br]by showing the truth. 0:28:41.820,0:28:43.121 Leadership by example. 0:28:43.121,0:28:45.123 That's what brings change. 0:28:45.123,0:28:46.858 You know that person will now 0:28:46.858,0:28:48.727 listen to the voice of the[br]Holy Spirit in their heart, 0:28:48.727,0:28:50.495 prompting their conscience to know that 0:28:50.495,0:28:53.164 what they're doing is wrong. 0:28:53.164,0:28:54.365 Christian means? 0:28:54.365,0:28:56.167 Christ likeness. 0:28:56.167,0:28:57.068 Okay, the question. 0:28:57.068,0:29:00.739 Anytime you face a[br]situation of opposition, 0:29:00.739,0:29:06.711 ask yourself, how would Jesus[br]react in such a situation? 0:29:06.711,0:29:09.848 Somebody embarrasses you, insult you. 0:29:09.848,0:29:13.585 Remember, Jesus was embarrassed, 0:29:13.585,0:29:19.624 constantly insulted,[br]constantly opposed, constantly. 0:29:19.624,0:29:22.560 They even said he cast out demons by Beelzebub. 0:29:22.560,0:29:26.030 They even said He was demon[br]possessed, He was demonized. 0:29:26.030,0:29:29.167 There's nothing they did[br]not say against Jesus. 0:29:29.167,0:29:31.836 But how did He respond? 0:29:31.836,0:29:34.339 He responded with forgiveness. 0:29:34.339,0:29:35.707 And when the truth was[br]ignored, He was silent 0:29:35.707,0:29:37.742 Because He knew the people were ignorant of the truth. 0:29:37.742,0:29:39.444 Truth is hidden. 0:29:39.444,0:29:42.947 Truth is not intellectual; it needs[br]to be perceived spiritually. 0:29:42.947,0:29:44.349 So, your integrity, 0:29:44.349,0:29:46.718 no matter how good you are on the inside, 0:29:46.718,0:29:48.586 can never be perceived intellectually. 0:29:48.586,0:29:49.888 It has to be discerned. 0:29:49.888,0:29:52.957 Integrity cannot be understood, 0:29:52.957,0:29:54.993 perceived intellectually but spiritually. 0:29:54.993,0:29:56.928 Meaning you cannot know the heart of man 0:29:56.928,0:29:58.296 if you're not helped by the Holy Ghost. 0:29:58.296,0:30:00.131 Ask God to help you to get into the heart 0:30:00.131,0:30:02.901 of the matter of a situation[br]before coming to judgement. 0:30:02.901,0:30:04.869 Ask Him to show you the heart, 0:30:04.869,0:30:06.638 the motivation of the heart of the person 0:30:06.638,0:30:08.873 so you can have rightful judgement. 0:30:08.873,0:30:12.143 This being said, we have the avenue, 0:30:12.143,0:30:13.545 the weapons of righteousness 0:30:13.545,0:30:16.781 that can heal your[br]relationship with everyone. 0:30:16.781,0:30:18.116 Service your relationship. 0:30:18.116,0:30:19.784 Absolutely, service it. 0:30:19.784,0:30:21.386 We will talk about that, 0:30:21.386,0:30:23.488 do you service your relationship? 0:30:23.488,0:30:26.758 You have to take care[br]of each relationship. 0:30:26.758,0:30:28.760 You should not take it[br]for granted because- 0:30:28.760,0:30:32.797 Because what gives us joy, 0:30:32.797,0:30:35.633 wealth, health in life 0:30:35.633,0:30:36.734 is all about relationship. 0:30:36.734,0:30:38.436 How do you[br]service your relationship? 0:30:38.436,0:30:40.071 How do we service it? 0:30:40.071,0:30:41.840 It's true, but how do we service it? 0:30:41.840,0:30:44.843 You know your vehicle,[br]you drive your vehicle 0:30:44.843,0:30:47.979 and you have a computer to[br]tell you in 100 miles, 0:30:47.979,0:30:50.181 you have to take it to the garage. 0:30:50.181,0:30:52.450 A computer will help you[br]to take it for service, 0:30:52.450,0:30:54.552 to change the oil, to clean this, 0:30:54.552,0:30:56.020 to keep it, to maintain it. 0:30:56.020,0:30:59.390 Relationship needs to be maintained. 0:30:59.390,0:31:05.063 You don't wait till[br]situations emerge to act. 0:31:05.063,0:31:09.133 Love never waits for a situation[br]to come, it anticipates. 0:31:09.133,0:31:10.401 That's why we need to service. 0:31:10.401,0:31:13.238 Don't wait for the person to[br]ask you to do this, to do that. 0:31:13.238,0:31:16.174 Do it spontaneously for God's sake. 0:31:16.174,0:31:18.042 Don't wait for someone to ask for help. 0:31:18.042,0:31:20.478 Do it spontaneously from your heart. 0:31:20.478,0:31:23.214 Ask God, what can I do to help somebody? 0:31:23.214,0:31:24.549 Everybody wants to change somebody, 0:31:24.549,0:31:26.251 they don't know how to go about it. 0:31:26.251,0:31:29.287 But did you yield your[br]heart to be a servant? 0:31:29.287,0:31:32.223 For the Holy Ghost to use you to bless others? 0:31:32.223,0:31:35.059 Remember what makes us[br]human is what, is not? 0:31:35.059,0:31:37.829 Our ability to think,[br]but our ability to love. 0:31:37.829,0:31:40.598 Which kind of love, everybody[br]has somebody to love, 0:31:40.598,0:31:41.566 but everybody has somebody to say, 0:31:41.566,0:31:42.567 "I don't love this person." 0:31:42.567,0:31:43.701 “I don't like this.” 0:31:43.701,0:31:45.570 When you look at a person on the outside, 0:31:45.570,0:31:47.972 it will not take long to see[br]something you don't like. 0:31:47.972,0:31:49.641 Nobody's perfect. 0:31:49.641,0:31:51.743 But it takes a lifetime to see 0:31:51.743,0:31:53.778 the beauty in the heart of the person 0:31:53.778,0:31:55.480 beyond what you can see. 0:31:55.480,0:31:57.949 You say, "Don't reject[br]anybody because of today, 0:31:57.949,0:31:59.150 tomorrow is mystery." 0:31:59.150,0:32:03.254 Okay, when Ananias was[br]saying Paul was a bad person, 0:32:03.254,0:32:05.490 but Jesus saw the future,[br]the future apostle. 0:32:05.490,0:32:08.126 He said, "He's my chosen vessel." 0:32:08.126,0:32:11.896 God is not looking at our[br]kindness, our obedience now, 0:32:11.896,0:32:15.133 but obedience in 20[br]years, in 50 years to come. 0:32:15.133,0:32:16.801 Somebody can be good today, 0:32:16.801,0:32:21.272 but tomorrow (it’s a mystery), can be bad. 0:32:21.272,0:32:23.474 You can pretend for a long time, 0:32:23.474,0:32:24.509 but eventually the real- 0:32:24.509,0:32:25.443 Somebody cane be bad today [br]and be wonderful tomorrow. 0:32:25.443,0:32:27.278 The real character will come out. 0:32:27.278,0:32:29.013 That's why we should[br]not rush into decision 0:32:29.013,0:32:31.549 to judge too quickly. 0:32:31.549,0:32:34.385 People judged Jesus on the outside. 0:32:34.385,0:32:37.822 In John 7:12, some said he's a good person. 0:32:37.822,0:32:41.025 Some said He's a bad person,[br]He deceives people. 0:32:41.025,0:32:42.927 Even those who said He's good 0:32:42.927,0:32:46.064 and welcomed Him on Palm[br]Sunday, saying hosanna, hosanna - 0:32:46.064,0:32:47.131 the same people said - 0:32:47.131,0:32:49.701 Crucify Him, crucify Him, crucify Him. 0:32:49.701,0:32:50.902 So, we shouldn't, 0:32:50.902,0:32:51.903 Yeah, that's another thing. 0:32:51.903,0:32:54.739 We shouldn't be so concerned about 0:32:54.739,0:32:56.541 people's opinion about us, 0:32:56.541,0:32:58.176 even people that we don't know. 0:32:58.176,0:33:02.013 What should matter to us[br]is God's opinion about us. 0:33:02.013,0:33:04.282 And God tests our heart to reward us. 0:33:04.282,0:33:06.818 The purpose of the[br]gospel of Jesus Christ, 0:33:06.818,0:33:09.087 The purpose of salvation, 0:33:09.087,0:33:11.055 the purpose of the Holy Bible, 0:33:11.055,0:33:14.459 can be summed up in one[br]word, righteousness. 0:33:14.459,0:33:15.860 What is righteousness? 0:33:15.860,0:33:19.063 Right standing before God, 0:33:19.063,0:33:21.366 not right standing before man. 0:33:21.366,0:33:25.837 Right standing means rightful[br]judgement for God's sake. 0:33:25.837,0:33:29.474 God said to Abraham, "Walk[br]before me blamelessly 0:33:29.474,0:33:31.342 by doing what is right." 0:33:31.342,0:33:34.946 Thinking right, speaking[br]right, acting right 0:33:34.946,0:33:36.581 according to the mind of God 0:33:36.581,0:33:38.049 every single day of our lives. 0:33:38.049,0:33:40.685 We are made to be like Jesus. 0:33:40.685,0:33:44.355 We have to behave like[br]Him and the task is huge. 0:33:44.355,0:33:46.591 That's what Jesus said, "Carry[br]your cross and follow me." 0:33:46.591,0:33:47.658 What is your cross? 0:33:47.658,0:33:48.926 Your cross is not the wood, 0:33:48.926,0:33:50.928 your cross is your body. 0:33:50.928,0:33:52.663 The cross is myself. 0:33:52.663,0:33:55.433 Self-will, self-will.[br]My will, my self-will. 0:33:55.433,0:33:58.736 That's always wanting to go[br]opposite to what God wants. 0:33:58.736,0:34:02.240 Absolutely, if my flesh is crucified 0:34:02.240,0:34:03.508 and I carry the cross, 0:34:03.508,0:34:04.942 asking Jesus to help me. 0:34:04.942,0:34:08.012 I will walk in the footsteps[br]of Christ in righteousness 0:34:08.012,0:34:09.247 every single day of life. 0:34:09.247,0:34:10.615 If you do so, 0:34:10.615,0:34:13.551 you will have capacity to[br]bless people around you. 0:34:13.551,0:34:16.888 You will never destroy any[br]relationship beyond repair 0:34:16.888,0:34:18.923 for tomorrow is mystery. 0:34:18.923,0:34:20.992 There will always be room for forgiveness 0:34:20.992,0:34:23.694 and your marriage, your[br]relationship, your friends, 0:34:23.694,0:34:25.063 you will never lose a friend. 0:34:25.063,0:34:27.498 You will never destroy any[br]relationship beyond repair. 0:34:27.498,0:34:28.666 People may leave you, 0:34:28.666,0:34:30.168 but you'll never leave anybody. 0:34:30.168,0:34:33.237 But Jesus will service that relationship. 0:34:33.237,0:34:35.039 Thank you.[br]Amen. 0:34:35.039,0:34:36.607 So thank you so much for joining us 0:34:36.607,0:34:40.044 and how to service our relationship, 0:34:40.044,0:34:43.481 how not to judge on a human level, 0:34:43.481,0:34:45.917 but correct in God's love. 0:34:45.917,0:34:48.886 We can't do any of this without[br]the help of the Holy Spirit. 0:34:48.886,0:34:50.755 So, let's continue to ask the Holy Spirit 0:34:50.755,0:34:54.859 to give us more of Him[br]and take more of us, 0:34:54.859,0:34:55.693 in Jesus’ name. 0:34:55.693,0:34:57.595 Thank you, that's the right prayer. 0:34:57.595,0:35:01.132 Take more of me and give me[br]more of you, Holy Spirit. 0:35:01.132,0:35:03.801 Take more of my lies and[br]give me more of your truth. 0:35:03.801,0:35:06.104 Holy Spirit of truth forgive my lies, 0:35:06.104,0:35:08.072 help me to be truthful. 0:35:08.072,0:35:10.074 Holy Spirit of humility forgive my pride 0:35:10.074,0:35:11.309 and give me your humility. 0:35:11.309,0:35:12.276 Lead me to humility. 0:35:12.276,0:35:15.513 These are the things we should pray for, 0:35:15.513,0:35:18.983 to put on Christ as our[br]righteousness every single day. 0:35:18.983,0:35:19.951 And by doing that, 0:35:19.951,0:35:21.486 you're servicing your heart 0:35:21.486,0:35:22.787 and if you service your heart, 0:35:22.787,0:35:24.789 then definitely your[br]relationships are serviced 0:35:24.789,0:35:27.892 because you relate with[br]others through your heart. 0:35:27.892,0:35:29.260 By doing so, 0:35:29.260,0:35:31.395 you are asking the Holy Ghost to fill you. 0:35:31.395,0:35:32.763 And when He fills you, 0:35:32.763,0:35:35.766 He will fill you and that[br]love will overflow to others. 0:35:35.766,0:35:37.135 In Jesus’ name. 0:35:37.135,0:35:38.102 Amen.