here are those who seem to think that it is always wrong to judge because Jesus said, "Judge not, that ye be not judged" (Matt. 7:1). We can know with certainty, however, that this was definitely not what Jesus meant. We know this because He also said, "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment" (John 7:24). Therefore we are not only permitted but commanded to judge. But our judgments must be righteous not unrighteous.

ccording to Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, the word translation “judge,” in Matthew 7:1, "primarily denotes to separate, select, choose; hence, to determine, and so to judge, pronounce judgment;" "sometimes denotes to condemn."

esus is not saying that you are not to tell your brother that he has a "speck" in his eye. He is saying that you should first examine your own eye to make sure it does not contain a "plank." If you find a "plank" in your own eye, you ought to remove it first then help your brother with the "speck" in his eye. He may not like hearing that he has a "speck" in his eye but he will be more receptive if he sees that you have removed the "plank" that was in your eye. Of course, "speck" and "plank" are figurative for some moral or spiritual problem that needs to be corrected. Your problem is a "plank," while your brother's is only a "speck" because you are acting as though you do not have a problem.

herefore, Jesus is simply saying that you are in no position to judge your brother if you have things in your life that need correction. You should correct those things then help your brother. This necessarily involves judging but not the sort that Jesus condemns. It demands "righteous judgment" (John 7:24). &

GAMBLING (Part Four of Four)

By Kenneth Thomas

nsofar as I am able to determine, there are only three legitimate means of transferring property from one to another. The three means are: 1). Working for a living or getting paid for physical or mental efforts expended producing something for someone else. 2). Exchange. I take pleasure sometimes in swapping something I have for something someone else possesses. Sometimes I receive "boot", sometimes I have to pay the other fellow. In any case we each receive what we want and each is happy after the transaction hopefully. 3). Receiving or giving a gift with no desire or expectation of anything in return. Our Lord said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35). Let's look at some scriptures which support what I have said above.

 will not be able to print out each Scripture citation fully due to space limitations I have placed on myself to keep this tract small enough that folks will hopefully read it from beginning to end. May I request that you take the time to read each passage of Scripture from your own Bible before you go to the next point in our study of this timely subject?

1). Labor: (Ephesians 4:28; 2 Thessalonians 3:12; Luke 10:7; 1 Corinthians 9:9-10; 2 Corinthians 11:8; Matthew 20:1-15).

2). Exchange by buying and selling: (Matthew 25:27; 13:44-45; Acts 16:14; Luke 22:36).

3). Receiving a gift: (Ephesians 4:28b; Acts 2:45; Acts 11:29; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 9:13-15).

f we are right in the fact that these three means of income are the only legitimate means thereunto, then gambling is a sinful practice which violates all three even though law makers have made it legal. The Christian must steer clear of this soul-damning practice (Colossians 3:17; 2 John 9-11; 1 John 3:4).

1). Gambling does not involve gain by reason of legitimate labor. The gambler covets the fruit of other's labors. Gamblers want to win the million dollar lottery without doing any work to earn it; they covet the fruits of labor expended by others.

2). The gambling does not involve exchange of equal values. No, the gambler wants to put up something of relatively insignificant value to gain great value. In some states, gamblers put up a dollar for each chance in a desire to win a million, never mind that the change of winning is estimated to be at one in 7.25 billion. That statistic is probably outdated as well due to population increases etc.

3). Gambling does not involve a gift with no desire for anything in return. If there was no incentive, no million dollar pot, I'm sure that folks would not haven given the various states $95 to over a hundred million each week. Gambling produces nothing and adds nothing to our economy. It is, in fact a parasite on the legitimate economy and exists without divine sanction. State officials are drawing the economic blood of its citizens. How would you like to be in business in an area where immediately the economy is depressed by millions of dollars? Shortly after Florida voted in the state lottery there were businesses asking for tax credits or other governmental assistance as was reported in "The Orlando Sentinel" (1/24/88). Eventually the depressed economy will trickle down to affect the entire business community. Drive by the "Paradice" in East Peoria, Illinois and see the parking lot stacked full of cars and busses for hours on end. How many business people do you suppose aren't able to collect what they are owed due to gambling? More and more there will be cropping up organizations known as "Gambler's Anonymous" designed to assist folks who have become addicted and have reached the point that they will sell the farm and break up their families just to place another bet. They are hooked. Gambling and alcohol may become a sickness to be sure, but first they are a sin engaged in willfully and then once hooked, folks often need outside assistance to stop.

he compulsive gambler will use his last dollar to place a bet or buy a lottery ticket for a possible change of "hitting it big." He will sign an I.O.U. He will allow his wife and children to go hungry and his debts to go unpaid. There is absolutely no defense for gambling. Its fruit is all rotten and evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22).

hristians need to learn to control our language. How we speak is how we think and will eventually become the way we behave. "Our speech should always be with grace, seasoned with salt..." (Colossians 4:6). In fact, how we speak is how we are already thinking, and unless we change our speech our actions will soon follow suit. I try to avoid the following:

1). "Put your money where your mouth is."

2). "I'd bet my bottom dollar on it."

3). "Ya wanna bet?"

4). "I'll bet you a dollar to a doughnut."

5). "Let's draw straws so see who goes first."

6). "Let's draw cards to see who wins"

7). "I'll flip you for it...I'll take heads."

ound speech prepares the heart not to think in such terms and consequently steer clear of influences that may lead one into catching what is called "gambling fever." After all, it’s our souls that are under consideration. (Matthew 16:26) &