A. The Greek word translated by the phrase, "Thinks No Evil" means "To Take Into Account."

1. It is an Bookkeeping term which means to Calculate or to Reckon.

2. The purpose of entering numbers into a ledger is to make a Permanent Record.

3. "Love Does Not Keep A Record of The Wrong That Is Done To It."

4. Love does Not Calculate Wrongs In Order To Hold Them Against another person.

B. "Resentment" is the writing down in the Book of Memory all of the wrongs that have been done to you --- keeping track of them --- so that you can Consult Them Later .....

1. True Christian Love Is Not Resentful.

2. Love does Not record wrongs for later reference.

3. Love does Not just forgive and forget --- Love Remembers And Still Forgives!

C. Resentment is careful to keep records --- Hoping For A Chance Someday To Get Even.

1. Love doesn’t keep records because it has No Place For Resentment or Grudges.

2. Resentment is the results of Anger Turned Inward --- Keeping A Record of It.

3. Resentment Continues To Build Up until it has Polluted Every Part of Your Life.

4. Love Quenches Wrongs rather than recording them --- Love Does Not Cultivate Memories Out of Evils.

5. True Christian Love Forgives --- Love Dismisses --- Love Goes On With Life!

D. True Christian Love is the Opposite of:

1. A Censorious Spirit,

2. A Disposition to Think Evil of or Judge Others.

E. True Christian Love creates a Disposition to think the Best of others --- to the extent that circumstances will allow.

1. Love Is Not Blind:

Phil. 1:9, "And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;"

2. Love Does Cover A Multitude of Sins:

Prov. 10:12, "Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins."

Prov. 17:9, "He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends."

F. True Christian Love does Not Think Evil of, Judge, Condemn or Censure others.

A. They are inclined to Censure other Christians and condemn them as being Hypocrites.

1. Such judgment is Without Warrant From The Word of God.

2. God Has Reserved This Activity To Himself --- He who searches the hearts and minds of the children of men.

Rom. 14:4, "Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand."

In other words --- "Just Who Do You Think You Are?"

B. Many times these Self-Appointed Judges classifies others as Hypocrites because of God’s Providential dealing with them.

Job’s Three Friends condemned him as a hypocrite because of God’s Providential Dealing with him.

C. They condemn others as being Unconverted and/or Carnal because they differ from them in opinions on some points which are Not Fundamental or Essential to the faith.

1. They will make such ill judgments of their spiritual condition from what they observe Without:

a. Making allowances for their Natural Temperament,

b. Considering their Lack of Education or other Disadvantages they may experience.

2. They make such judgments because others experiences do Not Match Their Own --- thus Setting Themselves Up As The Standard and rule by which all others should be judged.

No two people have the Exact Same Experience of salvation --- Everyone has their own temperament and personality.

D. While covering or denying their own sins --- they judge evil of the Intents and Actions of others --- They condemn others for failings which are No Greater Than Any Other Christian --- or Even Their Own.

1. They have a very Low and Despicable Opinion of Others.

2. While thinking that they themselves have more good points than bad points --- they Refuse To Consider The Good Points of others --- only the Negative.

3. They generally charge others with sins, which they themselves are not guilty of --- and to a much greater Degree Than They Deserve.

4. The censorious See Only That Which Is Negative.

E. They are inclined to judge others to be guilty of evil actions, Without Any Evidence that would justify such a judgment.

1. They have a Suspicious Spirit, which leads them to be Jealous of others --- ready to suspect them of being guilty of evil --- even with No Evidence of such.

2. They and quick and ready to Think Evil of others.

1 Tim. 6:4, "He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,"

3. Merely Hearing A Rumor Is All They Need to --- with No Evidence that the report is true --- They At Once Assume that it is true and take up and circulate the evil report.

a. They seem Pleased To Hear an evil report --- they Take It As True without examination.

b. An evil report seems to be Food To Their Depraved Hearts --- they Feed On It as buzzards do upon dead flesh.

4. The Only Evidence that some people need is a rumor --- "Someone Told Me."

5. God said:

Psa. 15:1-3, "LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? 2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. 3 He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour."

Prov. 17:4; "A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue."

A Censorious Spirit in judging evil of the others --- also Discovers Himself.

Rom. 2:1, "Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things."

F. Because of their Disposition To Think The Worst of others --- the Censorious Spirit will also put the worst construction or an evil motive to Actions Which Are Good.

1. This is common among men who are Prejudiced Against Others of A Different Party --- politics --- Clinton, etc.

a. "I don’t know of any good he has done ..."

b. "Well, if he did do something right, it was just politics, to get more votes ..."

2. It is also true of Churches --- Pastors --- Motives ...

a. "They are really only interested in Promoting Their Own Interest."

b. "Advance Themselves .... Make A Name For Themselves."

c. If they should Recognize or Commend a person for a job well done ---

"He is only Playing Politics, he has an Ulterior Motive ...."

G. These kinds of people are Very Disparaging, Discouraging, and Destructive in the Lord’s Work.

A. Some People Are Appointed, On Purpose By God, To Be Judges And To Lead.

1. In Civil Societies --- Government

Rom. 13:1-5, "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake."

2. In Religious Societies --- Churches.

Heb. 13:17, "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you."

1Tim. 5:17, "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine."

2 Cor. 10:8, "For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:"

Paul Never Magnified Himself --- But He Did Magnified His Office.

Rom. 11:13, "..., I magnify mine office:"

B. The Church is Not Commanded To Never Judge.

1. 1 Cor. 5:11-13, "But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. 12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? 13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person."

2. Some people’s Sins Are So Blatant that it is Not Judging To Recognize Their Evil.

a. 1 Tim. 5:24, "Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after."

(1) That is, some men’s sins are such Plain Testimony Against Them, that they are sufficient to condemn them as wicked men in full sight of the world, even before the coming of that final day of judgment that shall disclose the secrets of the heart to all.

(2) Some men’s actions give such Clear Evidence of The Evil of Their Intentions --- it is not judging the secrets of their heart to judge their actions.

b. This is even True In The Church.

1 Cor. 5:1-5, "It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife. 2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. 3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, 4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus."

C. Judging Is Evil When:

1. We Think Evil of Others when the Evidence Does Not Force Us To Do So.

a. The evidence very well may allow us to Think Good of them.

b. Things that seem to be In Their Favor Are Overlooked --- only those things that are against them are considered.

2. We are Hasty In Our Judgment and condemning of others.

a. Fairness and Love obligates us to Suspend Our Judgment until we Know More about the matter.

b. Many feel free to censure others Before They have Heard What They Have To Say in their Defense.

Prov. 18:13, "He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him."

3. We are Pleased or Rejoice in judging evil of others.

a. People may judge evil of others, from clear and plain evidence that compels them to it, and yet it Grieves Them Greatly To Do So.

Such as --- A Parent hearts of evil you child has done --- evidence is so great that they cannot but think it to be true.

b. However, judgment is often passed against others in a manner that shows Pleasure In Doing So.

c. This type of person is Inclined And Loves To Think The Worst of Others.

(1) Very forward in judging others --- Takes Pleasure in their deficiencies or errors.

(2) Judges on very Flimsy Evidence,

(3) Carries his judgment to the Extreme.

(4) Is very Public in declaring his judgment.

(5) Speaks of them with Ridicule, Contempt, Bitterness, or a Maliciousness of spirit.

4. In Contrast --- True Christian Love will cause a person to be Very Cautious In Judging Others.

a. Will go No Farther In Judgment Than Evidence Forces them to.

b. Will Think The Best that the evidence will allow.

c. Will put the Best Construction on the Words and Actions of others.

d. Takes No Pleasure in declaring their judgment --- will be Hesitant To Speak of It.

A. It is contrary to --- An Unforgiving Spirit --- . David

1. King David, a man after God’s own heart, Carried Resentment All His Life --- He Refused To Forgive.

2. On His Death Bed he Ordered his son Solomon to Kill Joab and Shimei --- two men who had offended him years earlier.

3. David even admitted that he Had Promised Not To Put Shimei To Death --- But Now .....

1 Kings 2:1-9, "Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying, 2 I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man; 3 And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself: 4 That the LORD may continue his word which he spake concerning me, saying, If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee (said he) a man on the throne of Israel."

After Admonishing Solomon to stay Faithful To God and reminding him of God’s Promises, David continues in V. 5.

V. 5, "Moreover thou knowest also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, and what he did to the two captains of the hosts of Israel, unto Abner the son of Ner, and unto Amasa the son of Jether, whom he slew, and shed the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war upon his girdle that was about his loins, and in his shoes that were on his feet. 6 Do therefore according to thy wisdom, and let not his hoar head go down to the grave in peace. 7 But shew kindness unto the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be of those that eat at thy table: for so they came to me when I fled because of Absalom thy brother. 8 And, behold, thou hast with thee Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite of Bahurim, which cursed me with a grievous curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim: but he came down to meet me at Jordan, and I sware to him by the LORD, saying, I will not put thee to death with the sword. 9 Now therefore hold him not guiltless: for thou art a wise man, and knowest what thou oughtest to do unto him; but his hoar head bring thou down to the grave with blood."

4. David had promised that He, Himself, would not do anything to him in his lifetime --- and he was going to keep his commitment.

5. But in his dying breath he wanted to be sure the guy Got What Was Coming To Him.

6. In his Dying Breath he vented his Resentment against two men he had Not Been Able To Forgive.

B. It is contrary to --- Love To Our Neighbor.

1. People are very Hesitant To Judge Evil of Themselves.

a. They are more likely to Promote Themselves and their quality of life.

b. The reason --- They have a Great Love For Themselves.

Eph. 5:29, "For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it,"

2. Therefore, if he Loved His Neighbor As He Loves Himself, he with the Same Respect for his neighbor as he does for himself.

C. They are very hesitant To Judge Evil of Those They Love --- personal friends --- parents --- children.

1. They are very hesitant to Speak Negative of them.

2. They are Hasty To Defend and assign the Best Motives to their actions.

3. The reason why --- They Love Them.

D. Hatred and Ill-Will toward others will cause us to Judge The Worst In Them.

1. When people have a "Falling-Out" they become All Too Ready To Judge The Worst In Each Other.

2. They not only Listen To Evil Reports, they Believe Every Word and put the very Worst Construction on it.

E. A Censorious or Judgmental Spirit Comes From A Proud Spirit.

1. An Eagerness To Judge and Censure others comes from a Proud Disposition.

2. This is Contrary to True Christian Love.

3. Jesus said, Matt. 7:1-5, "Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye."

Rom. 2:1, "Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things."

4. Those people who are the most busy in judging and censuring others --- Should Look Within and Seriously Examine Their Own Hearts and lives.

a. A disposition to judge and condemn shows a Conceited and Arrogant Disposition.

b. It is as though he is Setting Himself Up Above Others, as it he is Fit To Be Lord and Judge of his fellow-servants.

James 4:11, "Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. 12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?

Rom. 14:4, "Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand."

c. God Is The Only Rightful Judge.

5. To speak evil of others is Contrary To True Christian Love.

Psa. 50:19-20, "Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit. 20 Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother’s son."

Titus 3:1-2, "Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, 2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men."

1 Pet. 2:1, "Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,"

Psa. 15:3, "He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour."

F. Many people Cannot Forgive because their hatred has become a \Passion With Them --- It has actually become a Part of Their Personality.

1. To forgive would mean to Literally Cut Out That Part of His Life which has grown to be his whole life.

2. To Forgive would Destroy Any Reason He Had Left For Living --- their whole life is built around Resenting that person and someday Getting Even.

3. Every day he Replays The Tapes of hatred and resentment --- it become like an Acid Eating Away At His Soul.

G. Why Do We harbor resentment --- Why Do We enjoy keeping all that hatred down inside?

1. Perhaps it makes us Feel Superior to the one we resent --- We Are In Control ...

However, a heart of Revenge will corrupt our entire life.

2. Perhaps there is a Neurotic Desire on the part of the resenter to Inflict Pain On Himself --- because of Guilt --- or because of the desire for Attention and Sympathy.

a. You tell everybody you are close to what happened --- You Tell It Over And Over And Over Again.

b. In doing so you are Driving Your Resentment Deeper And Deeper In Your Mind And Your Soul.

c. Every time you tell somebody what somebody did to you --- you Make That Recording A Little More Difficult To Ever Erase.

d. This continues on until Only A Miracle of God’s Grace Can Deliver You From It!

e. You need to Tell It To The Lord One Time and Get It Out of Your System --- then Get On With Your Life.

H. How Often Upon Thorough Examination, Have We Found Things To Be Better With Others Than We Had Heard And Than We Had At First Judge To Be True?

1. When the Children of Reuben, and of Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh had built an altar by Jordan, the rest of Israel heard of it, and Hastily Concluded that they had Turned Away From God and decided to Go To War against them.

When the truth came to light, it was known that they had erected their altar to worship the True And Living God. (Joshua 22)

2. Eli Thought Hanna Was Drunk, when in fact she was filled with grief, praying, and pouring out her soul before God. (1 Sam. 1:12-16)

3. David Concluded, from what Ziba told him, that Mephibosheth Had Manifested A Rebellious And Treasonable Spirit against his crown and responded to greatly injury Mephibosheth. ()

4. In order to justify ourselves, we try to make the person we are angry with to be More Evil Than He Already Is.

a. Discrepancies between what we Feel and the Facts can be Very Great.

b. On you knees before God, try to Find Out The Real Reason why you are so Filled With Resentment.

c. The Same Blood of Jesus Christ That Cleanses Our Sins Is Powerful Enough To Cleanse The Sins And The Wrongs Done By Others.

d. What Christ Blood Has Done For You --- Let His Love In You Do For Others.

Remember ---

If We Are Found To Be Censorious, Judgmental, And Condemning --- We Shall Be Condemned Ourselves.

Matt. 7:1-2, "Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again."