Love First, Lead Second

Enjoy Your Life

By J.C. Hurtado-Prater, November 16, 2025
  • Matthew 7:1-2 (NIV)
  • Romans 2:1 (NIV)
  • James 4:11-12 (NIV)
  • Luke 6:37 (NIV)
  • Proverbs 21:2 (NIV)

Three ways we can and should judge-without being offensive.

  1. Start with yourself
  • read: James 1:22-25 (NIV)

Five ways we weaponize the Bible against others:

  1. We quote Scripture to win arguments rather than win hearts.
  2. We use it to condemn others rather than convict ourselves.
  3. We highlight sins we don't struggle with while excusing our own.
  4. We post verses online to prove a point instead of to show love.
  5. We act as if we're the Holy Spirit's assistant-like He needs our help.

Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it's thinking of yourself less James 4:6 (NIV)

'God opposes the proud but showsfavor to the humble.'"

2. Love First, Lead Second (But Always Do Both) Matthew 7:1-5 (NIV)

Love first. Lead second.

“Love is seeking the highest good for the other.”

Judging without offense is only possible when it's for the good of the other person.

3. Don't Judge Those Outside the Faith

1 Corinthians 5:9-13 (NIV)

Our job is not to curse the darkness, but to proclaim the light. When people experience you — do they feel loved or judged?