Prayer Focus

Heart Guide for Lesson 5:
Separation from Sin

Separating people from their sins saves us from the snare of judging. Unrighteous judgment does just the opposite of separation from sin—it binds people to their sins. We are to judge persons as God does (as being worthy of His acceptance, love and mercy) and still judge their sins as needing atonement, intercession and correction.

Jesus even says that if we cease judging the person (by removing the plank in our eye), God can then use us to bring saving and liberating help to them from their sins (the speck). Righteous judgment always proceeds from separation.

'Judge not, that you be not judged.  For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye." Matthew 7:1-5 ESV 

Ask forgiveness for judging yourself and others. Then cast this concern on the Lord—that He will bring freedom from all unrighteous judgments and raise you to the mercy seat as an intercessor for sinners, including yourself.

Return to Separation from Sin: Head to Heart Guide for more ways to go deeper into these truths or stay "on course" by going to the...