WHEN DO PEOPLE FEEL JUDGED OR CONDEMNED BY THE PREACHING OF TRUTH?

Before you blame a preacher or the message, take a moment to look at your heart.

Here are ten reasons why people might feel judged or condemned when they hear God’s Word preached, along with relevant Bible verses:

1. When They Feel the Weight of their Sin

The Holy Spirit often makes people aware of their sins through God’s Word, which can lead to feelings of judgment.

John 16:8-9: "When he comes, he will show the world what sin is, what true goodness is, and what judgment is; he will show them their sin because they do not believe in me."

2. When Their Disobedience Is Revealed

God's law can expose where people have gone against His commands, leading to feelings of condemnation.

Romans 3:19: "We know that the Law speaks to those who are under it, so that every mouth may be silenced, and the whole world held accountable to God."

3. When They Are Confronted with Their Darkness

Preaching that reveals wrong actions or attitudes can make individuals feel judged.

John 3:19-20: "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil."

4. When They Depend on Their Own Good Works for Salvation

Messages that stress God's grace rather than human efforts can make those who trust in their deeds feel condemned.

Ephesians 2:8-9: "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."

5. When They Face God's Standards

God’s Law shows His perfect standards, highlighting human shortcomings.

Galatians 3:24: "The law was our guardian until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith."

6. When They Learn About God’s Holiness

God’s perfect nature emphasizes human imperfections, leading to feelings of judgment.

Romans 3:23: "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

7. When They Hear the Call to Repentance

A message that urges repentance can stir feelings of guilt about past actions.

Acts 2:37: "When they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, 'Brothers, what shall we do?'"

8. When Idolatry Is Confronted

Messages that reveal the worship of false gods can lead to feelings of condemnation.

Exodus 20:3-5: "You shall have no other gods before Me...You shall not bow down to them or serve them."

9. When Their Hypocrisy Is Exposed

The preaching of God’s Word can make people aware of their hypocrisy.

Matthew 23:27-28: "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!... So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness."

10. When They Recognize Their Need for a Savior

Realizing the need for salvation can be overwhelming and lead to feelings of condemnation without the comfort of grace.

Romans 5:8-9: "God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Now that we have been justified by his blood, we will be saved from God's wrath through him."

Note: These feelings of judgment and condemnation can arise from these situations.

Br. Musaazi Dennis

Stauros Ministries International.