The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man’s judgment: “For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?”  But we have the mind of Christ  (1 Corinthians 2:15-16).

I am not subject to any man’s judgment!

That means I can do what I want!!!!!

WooHoooooo!!!

No.  And…no.

You know how sometimes you have to be careful when you take a verse out of context, otherwise you could destroy your life and the lives of those around you while birthing a heretical cult to wreak havoc upon the world?

This would be one of those times.

Look, you are subject to judgment. Deal with it. Swipe a police helicopter for a joy ride, and you will be judged.  Load up at Costco and walk out without paying, and you will be judged.  Try sneaking twelve items through the ten-items-or-less aisle, and I will judge you myself. (Though it should be “fewer,” not “less”–where’s a grammar cop when you need one?)

Paul is not talking about felonious activity.

He’s talking about your spiritual life.

How do I know?  Context, Baby.

Paul has just spent the last several verses talking about the Holy Spirit and making the case that, without the Spirit, it is impossible to understand the things of God.  He continues that thought here.  People without Christ will not, cannot, understand your relationship with him.  They will be skeptical, judgemental, even mocking.

So?  Let them mock.  Let them judge.  Let them…skept.

Their judgment has no power over you.  You are a child of the King, and you have diplomatic immunity from the judgment of the world.  So hold fast to Jesus, and to the principles his Holy Spirit has taught you.

But, you know, don’t go wandering through the restaurant sampling other people’s food just “because it looks tasty.”

Happy Thursday, Beloved.