CONFESSION:
We have read our Lord's warning not to judge lest we be judged, yet we have judged. We have judged unbelievers, hindering their entrance into the kingdom of God. We have judged faults in the lives of our brothers and sisters in Christ. We have often emphasized outward appearance, rather than the condition of the heart. Our judgmentalism has excluded people from the church, thus condemning ourselves to stagnation and slow growth.

We have judged non-Pentecostal believers for rejecting the Pentecostal Renewal and have minimized their value to the kingdom of God. We have judged Charismatic Christians for staying in their own denominations rather than becoming a part of the classical Pentecostal Movement.

Judgmentalism has broken our fellowship with other members of the body of Christ. It has caused us to confuse personal convictions with the eternal principles of God's Word. Judgmentalism has given birth to the sin of hypocrisy and put people into bondage to traditions instead of freeing them to minister. We have often overemphasized the negative, while neglecting positive ministries such as worship, witness, and service to others.

REPENTANCE:
Father, we confess the sin of judgmentalism with all of its ramifications. We took on a job that was not ours-we judged Your servants, a responsibility that is Yours alone. Forgive us for developing and nurturing a disposition to judge others and forgetting that Your kingdom is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. We repent for omitting the weightier matters of love, mercy and justice while emphasizing issues of lesser importance. Set us free, and help us to free others from this deadly sin.

RESPONSE: Hear us, O Lord, as we make this confession, and forgive us of the sin of judgmentalism. You are the only Righteous Judge.

AFFIRMATION: Father, we have confessed and repented of the sin of judgmentalism. We turn away from this critical spirit and commit ourselves to the ministry of edification and encouragement. We will heed Your instruction to "judge not," and we will seek to restore fellowship with members of the body of Christ whom we have offended.

RESPONSE: You are the only Righteous Judge!

AFFIRMATION: We affirm our acceptance of all Christians and bless their ministry in the body of Christ.

RESPONSE: You are the only Righteous Judge!

AFFIRMATION: Thank You for restoring us to a place of fellowship with all Your children and for setting us free to reach this generation for Christ.

RESPONSE: Now according to Your Word, we have been forgiven and cleansed of the sin of judgmentalism, and we proclaim that You are the only Righteous Judge!

REFERENCE SCRIPTURES: James 4:11-12; Matthew 7:1-2; Ephesians 4:29-32 Romans 12:9; Romans 13:8

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