Christian Spiritual Growth

BEREANS
Part 1 of 2

Judge the Fruit of Teachings, Not People’s Processes

In order to make decisions, each of us judges teachings we receive. We then develop beliefs and make our life choices based on those beliefs. Said another way,

If our beliefs are grounded in Truth and we abide in Him Who is Truth, He will produce the fruit of Godly character in our lives. Even though our circumstances may—and should—look different, Godly character will shine through the abiding Christian woman.

God speaks to us through relationships and circumstances. He encourages us to reason with Him and to judge what we are receiving as doctrine/teaching from others. Each of us needs to judge other people's lives and teachings, like the Bereans did, and teach our children to do the same. But we do not want to be judgmental of people and their processes.

Generally speaking, when looking at how people are choosing to live, we (meaning people in general) usually sieve other people's choices through our own circumstances because those are the only circumstances we know fully.

JUDGING TEACHINGS GROWS OUR MINDS.

For example, when I dialogue with a woman who chooses to send her young children to school, although I am a strong advocate of raising children at home until they are established in character, I will listen to her reasons and, most likely, disagree with her (perhaps not even tell her I disagree unless she would ask me directly). I have already examined the available teachings, judged them, and made the choice to keep my young children at home until they are established in Godly character.

But I would still listen to this other woman, judge her reasoning and the teachings she has accepted to reach her conclusion, but I would not be judgmental about her personal choice to place her young children under another’s authority. I would still love her unconditionally and keep the doors open so we could continue to grow in our relationship. I realize that I may have something to learn from women with whom I disagree, some very important lessons that will help me grow in Godly character. I am always willing to listen.

JUDGING PEOPLE’S PROCESSES GROWS OUR PRIDE.

I am willing to share my life openly with all of you through these website articles, and I expect you to judge what I say through your own sieve of circumstances—relying on your relationship with the Lord through His Spirit to guide you—and decide how you want to live your own lives. Make those lifestyle choices in unity with your husbands.

But I do hope that neither of us will be judgmental of the other. We can learn from each other as we live diversely. It's what the metaphor of a Body is all about. Let us learn to rejoice with each other, no matter where we are in our journeys, and to spur one another on to good works, not thinking too highly of ourselves.

By loving unconditionally, we can share more and more from our own experiences without feeling that someone is farther along or someone has got it all together when we don't or someone is... well, the list could be endless. God is God to all of us. We don't know each other's full circumstances. And we don't know what God has in store for generations. His ways are much higher than ours, and we can trust Him with each life He brings into our path.

We need to learn to

Please note that through these articles, I am not holding up our family's beliefs as the standard. Christ is our standard.

I appreciate those of you who challenge what I write so that I can clarify; it helps keep me accountable for what I share. When I respond to your comments, it helps me so much to clarify in my own mind what I personally believe so I can stand firm with conviction and resolve. I appreciate your feedback with grace when you share with me.

As my husband and I were facing a trial together a few years back, we did a Word/word study of judge, which you can find in Bereans, Part 2 of 2.

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