DON'T MAGNIFY YOURSELF AGAINST THOSE THAT ARE FALLEN

"If indeed you will magnify yourselves against me, and plead against me my reproach" (Job 19:5)

1. Many people forget their own frailty, how easy is it for them to fall. We should be taught by the mistakes of others to avoid being tempted to do so. The temptation which has prevailed against your brother, which casted him down, may prevail against you too, and cast you down. "Wherefore let him that thinks he stands (should not insult his fallen brother, but remember that himself may fall and ) take heed lest he fall" (1 Corinthians 10:12).

2. The people that magnify themselves against their brothers have forgotten that they have fallen into other sins or errors, and possibly into the same error. Those who are deeper in sin and error cannot allow others to charge against them. Sometimes those who have fallen into the very same sin, will heighten themselves against their accomplices, till they are awakened to consider their own sin.

Judah had defiled Tamar (Genesis 38:24), yet as soon as they brought word that Tamar was with child, he said, "Let her be burnt". Thus he condemned her, being himself guilty of the same fault. He was the most severe judge of that crime in her.

The scribes and Pharisees took the poor woman taken in Adultery before Jesus Christ (John 8:3-5), they called for justice, and urged the law. Jesus Christ responded to them and said that, "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her"(John 8:7) , they went out one by one, being convicted within their own consciences, which secretly suggested that if they throw a stone at her for that offence, then they will also hit themselves.

IT IS A SIN TO MAGNIFY YOURSELF AGAINST OTHERS

How sinful is it to vex and judge others for mistakes which we are guilty of, and have never asked for forgiveness from Almighty God.

Does God disregard poor sinners? No, he pities and spares them. The lord does not magnify himself against any fallen Christian; unless those that are fallen, rise up and magnify themselves against God by their impenitency and presumption.

Should man magnify himself against an offending brother, whom God pity and deal tenderly with?

It is our duty to avoid such act and pray for those that have fallen, help and counsel them to enable them rise up again. Let us bless God, who helped us to overcome and kept us from those snares and temptations, which others fall into. Such thoughts will keep us from swellings and self magnifying against our brethren, who have erred and whose error remain with them.

Should you magnify yourself against me, and plead reproachfully against me? You should not, it is against your duty to do so.

“Hear me, lest they rejoice over me, Lest, when my foot slips, they magnify themselves against me.” (Psalm 38:16)

Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonor that magnify themselves against me."

(Psalm 35:26)

(Outline from JOSEPH CARYL'S EXPOSITION ON THE BOOK OF JOB)

James Dina

jodina5@gmail.com

9th October 2020