Fault-Finding (James 4:11)

1. Slander (external form): Damaging someone’s reputation by going around telling others what we think they are doing wrong

2. Judging (internal form & cause): Damaging myself by criticizing people in my heart

Absolutes, Convictions and Preferences

1. Unchanging Absolutes (Morals, ethics, all Bible commands)• Honesty, Sexual purity, Drunkenness…

2. Personal Convictions (Life choices we make based on biblical principles)

• Modesty, Movies, Having a drink or not …3. Personal Preferences (What I like, but is not

clearly addressed by biblical principles)1. Music, hair, clothing styles…

Accountability in the church

• (1 Corinthians 5:11-13) … I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. {12} What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? {13} God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you."

Don’t judge non-absolutes

• (Luke 6:37) "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. • (Luke 6:41-42) "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your

brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? • (Romans 14:1) Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing

judgment on disputable matters.• (Romans 14:4) Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To

his own master he stands or falls. • (Romans 14:13) Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one

another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.

• (Romans 14:22) So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.