Joel M Bradshaw

 5Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.–1 Corinthians 4

There was some drama going on and Paul was giving them a warning about judging someone too soon. There are always two sides to a person.

1. WHAT YOU CAN SEE. The fruit of the Spirit in their attitudes. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. You can hear words and see actions.
2. WHAT YOU CAN’T SEE. Thoughts, feelings, and motivations. This is why of the 10 Commandments, good luck proving ‘thou shall not covet’ in a court of law. Nobody can see certain things. The only way you would be able to prove coveting is if it led to doing something.

In biblical counseling we see Scripture target the heart first and watch as God changes someone from the inside out. Hard work is done to follow God and make changes.

Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! (Psalm 139:23-24)

Today’s passage brings history into this verse. One day God will reveal those things that only He can know about you. This is encouraging to the one truly experiencing injustice and terrifying to the one hiding sin from others. This is why in our relationships we don’t rush to judgment. And when judgment does happen there are biblical reasons for it.

God knows all of you. Transparency is part of confession. But transparency should lead ultimately to a transformation or it’s just being selfish. This means that your mind is being renewed by God to face your own hypocrisy and live sacrificially every day (Romans 12:1-2). I still have intentional work to do daily in this area, but by trusting God in this process, I am no longer the hiding hypocrite I once was. How about you and your story?–JMB