Dealing With The Critical Spirit

Who has the RIGHT to JUDGE ?

Genesis 18:25 - Shall not THE JUDGE OF ALL THE EARTH deal justly?
Job 9:24 - HE covered the faces of the judges.
Psalm 50:6 - For GOD IS JUDGE HIMSELF.
Psalm 75:7 - GOD IS JUDGE He puts down one and exalts another.
Psalm 9:8 - HE SHALL JUDGE the world in righteousness.
Psalm 96:10 - HE WILL JUDGE with equity.
Psalm 135:14 - HE SHALL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE and have compassion.
Isaiah 33:22 - THE LORD IS OUR JUDGE ... HE WILL SAVE US.
John 12:47 - I came NOT to judge the world.
Acts 10:42 - APPOINTED AS THE JUDGE of the quick and the dead.
1 Corinthians 4:4 - But he that judges me is THE LORD.
2 Timothy 4:8 - THE LORD, THE RIGHTEOUS JUDGE.
Hebrews 12:23 - GOD, THE JUDGE OF ALL.

Shall I be JUDGED ?

1 Samuel 2:25 - If one man sin, the judge shall MEDIATE for him.
Psalm 26:1 - JUDGE ME !
Psalm 35:24 - JUDGE ME !
Lamentations 3:59 - THOU has seen my unrighteousness.
1 Corinthians 10:29 - Why am I judged - 11:32.
James 2:12 - Judged by the LAW OF LIBERTY.

What does the New Testament have to say about JUDGING OTHERS ?

Matthew 7:1 - JUDGE NOT
Luke 6:37 - JUDGE NOT
John 7:24 - JUDGE NOT by appearance
Acts 7:27 - WHO MADE THEE a judge
Acts 7:35 - WHO MADE THEE a judge
1 Corinthians 2:15 - He that is SPIRITUAL judges all things
1 Corinthians 11:31 - For IF WE WOULD JUDGE OURSELVES
Colossians 2:16 - LET NO MAN JUDGE YOU
James 4:11-12 - He who judges his brother, JUDGES THE LAW
James 5:9 - DON'T JUDGE, The Judge standeth at the door
2 Chronicles 19:6 - Ye JUDGE NOT for men but for the lord

What does Paul, in the book of Romans, have to say about Judging others ?

Romans 2:1 - Of man WHO JUDGES
Romans 14:3 - LET NOT HIM which eateth
Romans 14:4 - WHO ART THOU who judges
Romans 14:10 - WHY DOEST THOU judgest
Romans 14:13 - LET US NOT JUDGE ONE ANOTHER ANY MORE.
 

SIDE MESSAGE FROM:
ROMANS 12:1_15:13
RESPONSIBILITIES: CONCERNING THE BELIEVER'S LOVE
[ The Believer's Walk - The Results of Chapters 1-11 ]
 

PART I. REACTING TO THE WHOLE PERSON OF GOD 12:1_13:10

*12:1 [ SELF PRESENTATION ]
I urge you therefore, brethren,
by the mercies of god, to
PRESENT your bodies
as a living sacrifice,
acceptable to God
which is your reasonable service of worship.
[ AFTER SALVATION ]
12:2
And
DO NOT BE CONFORMED to this world, but
BE TRANSFORMED by the renewing of your mind,
that you may prove
what the will of god is,
that which is good
and acceptable
and perfect.

[ Passive mood, we are to allow God's Holy Spirit to TRANSFORM our minds, cf. Titus 3:5-7 ]
[ THE WILL OF GOD NOT OTHERWISE KNOWABLE ]
[ cf., Ephesians 4:23-24 ]

[ 12:3-8 Because we all are called to different "offices" we are dealt different qualities and amounts of faith -- perfectly matched for the responsibilities of our office -- "We have nothing we have not received." ]

[ 12:3-13 Our Responsibility ... Let each other exercise THEIR GIFTS. Not just exercising our own gifts!
Serving, Teaching, Exhorting, Giving, Leading, Showing Mercy ...
Through:
Love, Devotion, and Diligence ...
While all the time being:
Fervent in Spirit, Serving the Lord, Rejoicing in Hope, Persevering in Tribulation, Devoted in Prayer, Contributing to the needs of the Saints, and Practicing Hospitality. ]

*12:3
For
through the grace given to me
I say to every man among you
not to think more highly of himself
than he ought to think;
but to think
in such a way to have sound judgment,
as God has allotted to each
a measure of faith.

12:4
[ All one, yet different all ]
For
just as we have many members
in one body
and all the members do not have the same function,

12:5
so we, who are many
are one body in Christ, and
individually members one of another.

12:6
and since we have gifts
that differ [ WE DIFFER ! ]
ACCORDING TO THE GRACE GIVEN US,
let each exercise them ACCORDINGLY:
if prophecy,
according to the PROPORTION of his FAITH;

12:7
if service,
in his serving;
or he who teaches,
in his teaching

12:8
or he who exhorts,
in his exhortation;
he who gives,
with simplicity; [ NOT DEVIOUS ]
he who leads,
with diligence;
he who shows mercy,
with cheerfulness.

*12:9
Let Love
be without hypocrisy.
Abhor what is evil;
cleave to what is good

12:10
Be Devoted
to one another in brotherly love;
give preference to one another in honor;

12:11
Not lagging behind in diligence,
fervent in spirit,
serving the Lord;

12:12
Rejoicing in Hope.
Persevering in tribulation,
Devoted to prayer,

12:13
Contributing to the needs of the saints,
Practicing hospitality

12:14 [CONSTANCY ]
Bless those who persecute you;
Bless and curse not.

12:15 [ SYMPATHY/EMPATHY ]
Rejoice with those who rejoice,
And weep with those who weep.

12:16 [ UNITY ]
BE OF THE SAME MIND TOWARD ONE ANOTHER,
do not be haughty in mind,
but associate with the lowly.
DO NOT BE WISE IN YOUR OWN ESTIMATION.

12:17-19 [ NEVER ACT AS THOUGH YOU THINK YOU ARE GOD ! ]

12:17
Never pay back evil for evil to ANYONE.
Respect what is right in the sight of all men.

12:18
If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace
with all men.

12:19
NEVER TAKE YOUR OWN REVENGE, beloved, but
leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written,
VENGEANCE IS MINE,
I WILL REPAY,
SAYS THE LORD."

12:20
"But if your ENEMY is hungry,
FEED HIM,
and if he is thirsty,
GIVE HIM A DRINK,
for in so doing
you will heap burning coals upon his head."
[ NOT TO BRING ANGER, BUT TO PILE BLESSING UPON BLESSING ]
[ Middle East custom - to carry coals to a neighbor to light his fire for heat and cooking, usually in a vessel upon the head ]

12:21
DO NOT BE OVERCOME BY EVIL,
BUT OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD.

*13:1 [ DIRECT COMMAND ]
Let every person be in SUBJECTION to the governing authorities.
For THERE IS NO AUTHORITY EXCEPT FROM GOD,
and those which exist
are established by God.

13:2
Therefore
he who resists authority
has opposed the ordinance of god;
and they who have opposed
will receive condemnation upon themselves.
[ No place for disobedience except when prevented from the Worship of the Lord. cf., Titus 3 ]

13:3
For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior,
but for evil.
Do you want to have no fear of authority?
DO WHAT IS GOOD,
and you will have praise from the same;

13:4
FOR IT IS A MINISTER OF GOD TO YOU
FOR GOOD.
But if you do what is evil,
be afraid, [ DIRECT COMMAND ]
for it does not bear the sword for nothing;
FOR IT IS A MINISTER OF GOD,
AN AVENGER
who brings wrath upon the one who practices evil.
 

[ Four Lessons from Romans 13:1-4
1. There is NO AUTHORITY but from God
2. Submission
3. Obedience brings Praise
4. The STATE is a minister of God ]

13:5
Wherefore [ MAJOR KEY TO LIVING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE ! ]
IT IS NECESSARY TO BE IN SUBJECTION,
Not only because of wrath,
But also for conscience' sake.

13:6
For because of this you also pay taxes,
for rulers are servants of god,
devoting themselves to this very thing.

13:7
RENDER TO ALL WHAT IS DUE THEM. [ DIRECT COMMAND ]
Tax to whom tax is due,
Custom to whom custom;
Fear to whom fear,
Honor to whom honor.

13:8
OWE NOTHING TO ANYONE EXCEPT TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER;
[ DIRECT COMMAND ]
For he who loves his neighbor
has fulfilled the law.

13:9
For this, "You shall not commit adultery,
[ TAKING THE PERSON, AGAINST GOD ]
You shall not murder,
[ TAKING THE LIFE, AGAINST GOD ]
You shall not steal,
[ TAKING THE THING, AGAINST GOD ]
You shall not covet,"
[ TAKING WITH THE MIND, AGAINST GOD ]
And if there is any other commandment,
it is summed in this saying,
"YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."
[ DIRECT COMMAND ]
[ AND REMEMBER TO LOVE YOURSELF ! ]

13:10
LOVE DOES NO WRONG TO A NEIGHBOR,
LOVE THEREFORE IS THE FULFILLMENT OF THE LAW
[ NO IDOLATRY IN REAL LOVE, IDOLATRY IS THE ANTI-THESIS OF REAL LOVE ]
[ NO LONGER UNDER THE LAW, BUT FULFILLING THE LAW ]

PART II REDEEMING THE TIME 13:11-14

*13:11
And this do, [ LOVING THY NEIGHBOR AS THYSELF ]
knowing the time,
that it is already the hour for you to awaken
from sleep;
for now salvation is nearer to us
than when we believed.
[ Salvation Past - that which God has accomplished in the past to make your salvation possible ]
[ Salvation Present - that which God is now doing in your life - keeping, forgiving, loving - for your salvation ]
[ Salvation Future - The Return of Jesus Christ - the Consummation of your Salvation ]

13:12
The night is almost gone,
and the day [ of the Lord ] is at hand.
Let us therefore lay aside the deeds of darkness
and put on the armor of light.


13:13
Let us behave properly
as in the day, [ of the Lord ]
not in carousing and
drunkenness,
not in sexual promiscuity and
sensuality,
not in strife and
jealousy.

13:14
But
put on the Lord Jesus Christ, [ DIRECT COMMAND ]
and make no provision for the flesh [ DIRECT COMMAND ]
in regard to its lusts.
[ Don't bring someone in just to tear him down ! ]
 

14:1-15:13 JUDGE NOT THE SERVANTS OF GOD
PART III ACTING IN MATURITY 14:1-12

*14:1
Now accept the one who is weak in faith, [ DIRECT COMMAND ]
but not for the purpose of passing judgment
on his opinions.

14:2
One man has faith that he may eat all things,
but he who is weak eats vegetables only.

14:3
Let not him who eats
regard with contempt [ DIRECT COMMAND ]
him who does not eat,
and let not him who does not eat
judge him who eats, [ DIRECT COMMAND ]
for God has accepted him.

14:4
Who are you [who do you think you are ? ]
to judge the servant of another?
To his own master he stands or falls;
and stand he will,
for the Lord is able to make him stand.

14:5
One man regards one day a above another,
another regards every day alike.
Let each man be fully convinced in his own mind.
[ DIRECT COMMAND ]

14:6
He who observes the day,
observes it for the Lord,
and he who eats,
does so for the Lord,
for he gives thanks to God,
and he who eats not,
for the Lord he does not eat,
and gives thanks to God.

14:7
For not one of us
lives for himself,
and not one
dies for himself;

14:8
For if we live,
we live for the Lord,
or if we die,
We die for the Lord;
Therefore whether we live
or we die,
we are the Lord's.

14:9
For to this end Christ died
and lived again,
that He might be Lord
both to the dead and
of the living.

14:10
But you, [ ! ]
why do you judge your brother?
Or you again,
why do you regard your brother with contempt?
For we shall stand before the judgment seat of God.

14:11
For it is written:
"AS I LIVE, SAYS THE LORD,
EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME,
AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL GIVE PRAISE [ or confession ] TO GOD (Isaiah 45:23)."

14:12
So then
each one of us shall give an account
of himself to God.

PART IV BEING A NON-STUMBLING BLOCK 14:13-23

*14:13
Therefore
Stop judging one another any more, [ DIRECT COMMAND ]
but rather determine this:
not to put an obstacle
or a stumbling block
in another's way.

14:14
I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus
that nothing is unclean in itself; [ A-MORAL ISSUES ]
but to him who thinks anything to be unclean,
to him it is unclean.

14:15
For if because of food
your brother is hurt,
you are no longer walking according to love.
Stop destroying with your food [ DIRECT COMMAND ]
him for whom Christ died.
[ "Stop destroying the work of God
just to exercise your Christian liberty" ]

14:16
Therefore
Stop letting what is for you a good thing [ DIRECT COMMAND ]
be spoken of as evil; [ Stop Blaspheming ]

14:17
For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking,
but righteousness
and peace
and joy
in the Holy Spirit.

14:18
For he who in this way serves Christ
is acceptable to God
and approved by men.

14:19
So then let us pursue
the things which make for peace
and the building up of one another.

14:20
Stop tearing down [ DIRECT COMMAND ]
the work of God
for the sake of food.
All things indeed are clean,
but they are evil for the man who eats
and gives offense.

14:21
It is good
not to eat meat
or to drink wine,
or to do anything
by which your brother stumbles.

14:22 [ KEY VERSE ]
The faith which you have,
have [ DIRECT COMMAND ]
as your own conviction
before God.
Happy is he who does not condemn himself
in what he approves.

14:23
[ Don't sin against your Christian/Educated Conscience ]
But he who doubts
is condemned if he eats,
because his eating
is not from faith;
and whatever is not from faith
is sin.

PART V ACCEPTING ONE ANOTHER 15:1-13

*15:1
Now
we who are strong [ the absence of scruples ]
are to bear the weaknesses
of those without strength [ the presence of scruples ]
and not just please ourselves.

15:2
Let each of us
please his neighbor for his good, [ DIRECT COMMAND ]
to his edification.

15:3 [ Christ is our EXAMPLE ]
For even Christ did not please Himself;
but as it is written:
"THE REPROACHES OF THOSE WHO REPROACHED
THEE FELL UPON ME."

15:4-6 [ The Purpose of Our Existence - To Glorify God, not ourselves, and not others ]

15:4
For whatever was written in earlier times
was written for our instruction,
that through perseverance and
the encouragement of the Scriptures
we might have hope.

15:5
Now may the God who gives
perseverance and
encouragement
grant you to be of the same mind
with one another
according to Christ Jesus;

15:6
That with one accord
you may with one voice
glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

*15:7
Wherefore,
accept one another, [ DIRECT COMMAND ]
[ proslambanesthe - 2p-pl-pres-mid-imp - "You all receive one another" ]
Just as Christ also accepted us
to the Glory of God.

15:8
For I say that Christ has become a servant
[ one who serves: minister, elder, deacon ]
to the circumcision
on behalf of the truth of God
to confirm the promises given to the fathers,

15:9
And for the Gentiles
to glorify God for His mercy;
as it is written:
"THEREFORE I WILL GIVE PRAISE TO THEE
AMONG THE GENTILES,
AND I WILL SING TO THEY NAME."

15:10
And again He says:
"REJOICE, O GENTILES, WITH HIS PEOPLE."

15:11
And Again:
"PRAISE THE LORD ALL YOU GENTILES,
AND LET ALL THE PEOPLES PRAISE HIM."

15:12
And again Isaiah says:
"THERE SHALL COME THE ROOT OF JESSE, [ Jew ]
AND HE WHO ARISES TO RULE OVER THE GENTILES;
IN HIM SHALL THE GENTILES HOPE."
[ Isaiah 9:1-7 ]

15:13
Now may the God of Hope
fill you with all joy and
peace in believing,
that you may abound in hope
by the power of the Holy Spirit.

BACK TO MATTHEW CHAPTER 7
------------------------------------

7:6 [Dogs and Swine]

*7:6
"Do not give that which is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, lest perchance they trample them under their feet, and having turned, tear you to pieces.

ALTERNATE REFERENCE OF IMPORTANCE:
SIMILAR:
DOGS: Exodus 22:31 (appropriate eaters of the unholy)

And ye shall be holy men unto me: neither shall ye eat <any> flesh <that is> torn of beasts in the field; ye shall cast it to the [dogs].

SWINE: Deuteronomy 14:8 (an unclean beast)

And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it <is> unclean unto you: ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcass.

DOGS: Psalms 22:16 (reference to Gentile Soldiers)

For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.

DOGS: Philippians 3:2 (those who tear flesh)

Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.

DOGS: Revelation 22:15 (those who tear flesh)

For without <are> dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

SWINE: Luke 15:15 (the hateful employer - the Jew who feeds swine)

And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

CONTRASTS:

DOGS: Mark 7:27-28 (there is a place for you even if you're not the First-Born)

But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast <it> unto the dogs. {28} And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs.

7:7-12  [Ask, Seek, Knock - Giver of Good Gifts]

*7:7
"Ask (and keep on asking), and it shall be given to you; seek (and keep on seeking), and you shall find; knock (and keep on knocking), and it shall be opened to you.

7:8
For everyone who asks (and keeps on asking) receives and keeps on receiving; and he who seeks (and keeps on seeking) finds and keeps on finding; and to him who knocks (and keeps on reverently knocking) it shall be opened.

7:9
Or what man is there among you, when, his son shall ask him for a loaf of bread, give him a stone, will he?

7:10
Or he also shall ask for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he?

7:11
Therefore, as for you, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him for them!

7:12
Therefore, whatever you want others to do for you, you too, do so in the same manner for them; for this is the Law and the Prophets.

ALTERNATE REFERENCES OF IMPORTANCE: (concerning ASKING)

Deuteronomy 32:7

Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy Father, and he will show thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee.

1 Kings 3:5

In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.

2 Chronicles 20:4

And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask <help> of the LORD: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.

Psalms 2:8

Ask of me, and I shall give <thee> the heathen <for> thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth <for> thy possession.

Isaiah 7:11-12

Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above. {12} But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD.

Exodus 17:2

Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me? wherefore do ye [tempt] the LORD?

Matthew 4:7

Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not [tempt] the Lord thy God.

Acts 15:10

Now therefore why [tempt] ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

Jeremiah 6:16

Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where <is> the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk <therein>.

Jeremiah 18:15

Because my people hath forgotten me, they have burned incense to vanity, and they have caused them to stumble in their ways <from> the [ancient paths], to walk in paths, <in> a way not cast up;

Matthew 6:8

• Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

Matthew 18:19

Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 21:22

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

Luke 6:30

Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask <them> not again.

Luke 11:9

And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

John 11:22

But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give <it> thee.

John 14:13-14

And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. {14} If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do <it>.

John 15:7

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

John 15:16

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and <that> your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

John 16:23-26

And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give <it> you. {24} Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. {25} These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall show you plainly of the Father. {26} At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you:

Ephesians 3:20

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

James 1:5-6

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all <men> liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. {6} But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

James 4:2-3

Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. {3} Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume <it> upon your lusts.

1 John 3:22

And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

1 John 5:14-15

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: {15} And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

 

ALTERNATE REFERENCES OF IMPORTANCE: (concerning SEEKING).

Deuteronomy 4:29

But if from thence thou shalt [seek] the LORD thy God, thou shalt find <him>, if thou [seek] him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.

1 Chronicles 16:10

Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that [seek] the LORD.

1 Chronicles 16:11

[Seek] the LORD and his strength, [seek] his face continually.

1 Chronicles 28:8

Now therefore in the sight of all Israel the congregation of the LORD, and in the audience of our God, keep and [seek] for all the commandments of the LORD your God: that ye may possess this good land, and leave <it> for an inheritance for your children after you for ever.

1 Chronicles 28:9

And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou [seek] him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

2 Chronicles 7:14

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and [seek] my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

2 Chronicles 12:14

And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to [seek] the LORD.

2 Chronicles 15:13

That whosoever would not [seek] the LORD God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman.

Ezra 7:10

For Ezra had prepared his heart to [seek] the law of the LORD, and to do <it>, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.

Job 5:8

I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause:

Job 5:9

Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvelous things without number:

Job 5:10

Who giveth rain upon the earth, and sendeth waters upon the fields:

Psalms 4:2

O ye sons of men, how long <will ye turn> my glory into shame? <how long> will ye love vanity, <and> [seek] after leasing? Selah.

Psalms 9:10

And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that [seek] thee.

Psalms 10:4

The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not [seek] <after God>: God <is> not in all his thoughts.

Psalms 14:2

The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, <and> [seek] God.

Psalms 27:4

One <thing> have I desired of the LORD, that will I [seek] after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.

Psalms 34:10

The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that [seek] the LORD shall not want any good <thing>.

Psalms 40:16

Let all those that [seek] thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.

Psalms 53:2

God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were <any> that did understand, that did [seek] God.

Psalms 70:4

Let all those that [seek] thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified.

Psalms 105:3

Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that [seek] the LORD.

Psalms 105:4

[Seek] the LORD, and his strength: [seek] his face evermore.

Psalms 119:2

Blessed <are> they that keep his testimonies, <and that> [seek] him with the whole heart.

Psalms 119:45

And I will walk at liberty: for I [seek] thy precepts.

Psalms 122:9

Because of the house of the LORD our God I will [seek] thy good.

Proverbs 8:17

I love them that love me; and those that [seek] me early shall find me.

Proverbs 28:5

Evil men understand not judgment: but they that [seek] the LORD understand all <things>.

Isaiah 11:10

And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles [seek]: and his rest shall be glorious.

Isaiah 45:19

I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, [Seek] ye me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.

Isaiah 51:1

Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that [seek] the LORD: look unto the rock <whence> ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit <whence> ye are digged.

Isaiah 55:6

[Seek] ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

Jeremiah 29:13

And ye shall [seek] me, and find <me>, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Ezekiel 7:25

Destruction cometh; and they shall [seek] peace, and <there shall be> none.

Ezekiel 34:11

For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, <even> I, will both search my sheep, and [seek] them out.

Ezekiel 34:12

As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep <that are> scattered; so will I [seek] out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.

Ezekiel 34:16

I will [seek] that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up <that which was> broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.

Daniel 9:3

And I set my face unto the Lord God, to [seek] by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:

Hosea 10:12

Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for <it is> time to [seek] the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.

Amos 5:4

For thus saith the LORD unto the house of Israel, [Seek] ye me, and ye shall live:

Amos 5:8

[<Seek] him> that maketh the seven stars and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death into the morning, and maketh the day dark with night: that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD <is> his name:

Amos 5:14

[Seek] good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the LORD, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken.

Zephaniah 2:3

[Seek] ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; [seek] righteousness, [seek] meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD'S anger.

Malachi 2:7

For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should [seek] the law at his mouth: for he <is> the messenger of the LORD of hosts.

Matthew 6:33

But [seek] ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Luke 12:29

And [seek] not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.

Luke 12:30

For all these things do the nations of the world [seek] after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.

Luke 12:31

But rather [seek] ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Luke 17:33

Whosoever shall [seek] to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.

Luke 19:10

For the Son of man is come to [seek] and to save that which was lost.

John 5:30

I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I [seek] not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

Acts 17:27

That they should [seek] the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

1 Corinthians 1:22

For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks [seek] after wisdom:

Galatians 1:10

For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I [seek] to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

Colossians 3:1

If ye then be risen with Christ, [seek] those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

Hebrews 11:6

But without faith <it is> impossible to please <him>: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and <that> he is a rewarder of them that diligently [seek] him.

1 Peter 3:11

Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him [seek] peace, and ensue it.

Matthew 7:13-14
[Narrow Gate - Life - Few]
[Wide Path - Destruction - Many]

*7:13
Enter through the narrow gate; for broad is the gate, and spacious is the road, the one that leads to destruction and everlasting misery. And many there are constantly entering through it.

7:14
Because narrow is the gate, and compressed is the road, the one that leads away into life, and few are those who are finding it.

Matthew 7:15-23
[False Prophets - be ye Fruit Inspectors]

*7:15
Constantly be guarding yourself against false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but in their inner being they are ravenous wolves.

7:16
By their fruits you will clearly recognize them.
They do not gather up grapes from thorn bushes, nor figs from thistles, do they?

7:17
In the same manner every good tree produces beautiful fruit; but a rotten tree produces fruits which are rotten to the core.

7:18
An intrinsically good tree cannot produce rotten fruits, nor can a rotten tree produce beautiful fruits.

7:19
Every tree that does not producing beautiful good fruit is customarily cut down and is thrown into the fire.

7:20
So then, by their fruits, you will clearly recognize them.

7:21
Not every one who keeps on saying to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he who keeps on doing that which my Father, who is in heaven, has determined shall be done.

7:22
Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in your name perform many miracles which demonstrated the power of God?'

7:23
And then I will declare in a public announcement to them, 'I never knew you (experientially), depart from Me, you who are practicing lawlessness.'

Matthew 7:24-27
[Those who hear & Obey - House on Rock]
[Those who do not act - House on Sand]

*7:24
Therefore every one who is habitually hearing these words of Mine, and is habitually acting upon them, shall be likened to an intelligent man who's nature it is to build his house upon the rocky cliff.

7:25
And the rainstorm descended, and the rivers of water came, and the winds blew, and rushed upon and beat against that house; and yet it did not fall; for it had been founded upon the rocky cliff and was firmly established upon it.

7:26
And everyone who is hearing these words of Mine, and is not habitually doing them, shall be likened to a foolish man, without forethought or wisdom, who built his house upon the sandy ground.

7:27
And the violent rainstorm descended, and the rivers of water came, and the winds blew, and rushed upon and beat against that house, and it fell, and its downfall was great.

Matthew 7:28-29
[Multitudes Amazed - Authority]

*7:28
And it came to pass that when Jesus brought these words to a close, the multitudes were struck with astonishment, to the point of loss of self control, by His teaching,

7:29
for He was teaching them in the manner of one who possesses authority, and not as their scribes, who were learned in the sacred writings.