“Judge not according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” — John 7:24
We are ambassadors of the Kingdom, and as such we must exercise judgment (oversight) over the Body of Christ and walk in holiness before the world. If we fail to do this, we bring harm to the entire world.
Acts 20:28 — We are told to guard the flock of God, keeping it free of wolves.
1 Corinthians 14:29 — We are told that when prophetic words are given, those who are apostles are to judge the word.
2 Timothy 3:5 — We are told that some will have a form of godliness but deny the power, and these we are to avoid.
1 Corinthians 5:1–13 tells us it is imperative that we judge those inside the church.
1 Timothy 3:1–7 gives us the criteria for eldership in a local church. These qualifications require the making of judgments.
This sample is just a few of the verses that compel us to walk in holiness and purity. The power of grace has not freed us from fulfilling the law; rather, the power of grace enables us to exceed the law.
As believers, we are called to walk as He walked. We are called to rid ourselves of all evil. It is the harboring of sin that harms the full expression of the Holy Spirit through us. Seeds of iniquity grow into roots that spring up when we are under pressure or testing. Sins, strongholds, and weaknesses of the flesh—like weights that keep us from running our race—must be cast off.
Often, it is these unresolved snares that Satan uses to immobilize us. He is a powerful accuser, and when we heed his news department, he is faithful to publish a bad report to our own mind. These accusations of the enemy often keep us from living the Jesus-life we are called to—because we messed up again, we aren’t worthy, we are a hypocrite, and on it goes. This is one of the best reasons to overcome.
I invite you to make a list of things you will conquer—thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors that are not fitting for Christ. These are the things you will bring to the cross during this fasting period, the things you will renounce and rid yourself of.