Tolerance and Intolerance
Do you consider yourself tolerant? If so, then are you tolerant of all acts and of all behaviors, of all beliefs and all ideological systems? Your response should be, of course, that you are not tolerant of criminal acts or behaviors that would harm others. Consequently, no one can call themselves tolerant. The point I am making is that the question is rarely about being tolerant or intolerant, but it is about the object of toleration or intolerance. No one is totally and completely tolerant or intolerant for the tolerant are not tolerant of the intolerant, and the intolerant are not intolerant of the tolerant. The object of this article is not about one’s level of tolerance or intolerance. The attempt to confuse and to shut down the narrative of tolerance/intolerance has been mainly to distract minds away from the truth in a simple word: discernment. We are taught, encouraged, and influenced not to discern truth. To discern is the thought process of understanding the differences between contrasting ideas, beliefs and systems.
Making a judgment call is not wrong, it is discernment. We make judgment calls every day, but we have been intimidated to believe that somehow to judge anything is wrong. Of course, those who know nothing about the Bible attempt to use it to prove that one should not judge. Do you not see the ploy in this attempt? These pseudo biblical experts do not want you to judge them, so therefore, they shut you down by saying, Judge not, lest ye be judged. Whenever you hear these words against you know that you have just hit a guilty subject in their conscience. And that is exactly the time that you need to push on with your message.
In Scripture there are seven instances when we are not to judge, and there are seven instances when we should judge. (But this is for another time, but I will place a link for you to follow more on these thoughts). Scripture is full of instruction concerning the absolute need for mankind to judge, to discern, and to be able to understand the differences between good and evil. Don’t allow God’s message in discernment to be silenced — resist — whenever you hear these words Judge not, lest ye be judged, use God’s words to resist Satan’s ploy to silence your voice.
Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right? (Luke 12:57)
Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. (John 7:24)
I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. (1 Corinthians 10:15)
For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. (1 Corinthians 11:31)
But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (Hebrews 5:14)
But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. (1 Corinthians 2:15)
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1)
Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? (1 Kings 3:9)
And they shall teach my people [the difference] between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean. (Ezekiel 44:23)
Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. (Malachi 3:18)
But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, [even] those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (Hebrews 5:14)
© Copyright 2017, Mary Haigh
Article may be used, but not for gain. Freely ye have received, freely give.
All Scripture references are from the King James Bible. (KJB)