Nobody wants to be judged, right? But many of us judge people every day and we don’t even realize it! I’m going to write the definition of judging someone below. Take a look and see if you’ve done this before.
“Judging- the mental or verbal act of forming a critical, often negative, opinion about someone’s character, behavior, or choices. It involves isolating an action, evaluating it against one’s own values, and making assumptions rather than seeking understanding. It is often done to make one feel superior or safe.”
To be honest, when reading this definition of judging, it called me out!!!! But praise be to God, He used this as an opportunity for correction that I now bring to you. I share my personal story in the video above. But for time’s sake, I’ll stick to the scriptures here in the text.
What Jesus Said About Judging Others
In Matthew 7:1-5, Jesus warns the people about judging others according their own standards. He says:
“For you will be treated (by God) as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged (by God).”
God is not pleased when we hold high standards for others that we ourselves don’t meet. This doesn’t look the same from person to person.
Some may steal from stores and some may steal from homes, but for the retail thief to look down on the household thief is hypocrisy none the less. How about the functional alcoholic who looks down on the homeless meth addict? How about the lustful heterosexual man who looks down on the lustful homosexual man? The same sin can look different from person to person, but it doesn’t make one person worse than another.
Jesus called the people operating like this hypocrites and told them to work on themselves first. Harsh? Maybe. But I love His honesty. It gave the hearers a chance to pivot and correct themselves. I think we all need some good, honest friends to call us out once in a while. He did those people a favor when he did that.
I don’t believe for a second Jesus said this because He wanted to insult anyone. He wanted to confront their sin and show them the way out of if. His statement included instructions:
“How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First, get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck.
Removing the Log From Our Own Eye
Now the question becomes “How do I remove the log from my own eye?” And the answer is through self examination.
Often times we project stigma around certain behaviors and habits, but if we take our eyes off the other person and put them on ourselves, we can find those same traits within our own hearts. When we find them, we must pivot ourselves and see what The Bible has to say about such behaviors. Then, we can “remove the log” by submitting in obedience to God in this area. Only after we do this can we go forward and help others do the same ( AKA remove their speck)!
Some people don’t realize how their actions impact others. Proverbs 16:2 says:
“People may be right in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their heart.”
and Proverbs 16:25 says:
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end, it leads to death.”
The key concept revealed is that the way “seems right” in their own eyes, but it’s actually leading them to death. This is the sinful state of man. People generally don’t go around with evil intentions, but sin in them produces death to themselves and others.
God’s Mercy Triumphs Over Judgement
Sin works in such a way that people default to it. It’s human nature to be self-seeking and self-preserving. Left to our own demise every one of us would be walking in “the way that leads to death”.
But our God made a way out for us. His mercy triumphs over judgement! The only one who could righteously judge anyone chooses to give us mercy every day! And chooses to patiently work holiness into us, one day at a time, by the power of His Holy Spirit.
If he can be patient with us, can’t we be patient with others?
If you say no, I challenge you to pray a hard prayer against yourself and ask God to make you more like Him in this area. Ask Him to share His heart of mercy with you so you can love people the way He loves you. (Because I’m sorry to tell you, you’re difficult too!)
When Israel was being difficult, God’s message to them was this:
“Come now, let us reason together. Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them white as snow.”
In other words, God says, “Let’s talk this over. I want to forgive you. Explain to me why you’ve done this.”
Remember that definition of judging from earlier? It involved “making assumptions rather than seeking understanding”. Here we see God doing the complete opposite of that — humbly seeking understanding and a solution to the problem.
Why?
Because He valued the people. He was expressing His love for them.
Choosing Conversation Over Assumption
When we stop judging, the opportunity for conversation arises. From there, there’s potential for mutual understanding and depth of relationship to form.
If it’s appropriate, I encourage you to talk to the people you feel have wronged you, not as a victim, but as one trying to bridge the gap. Ask God for help, wisdom, and compassion as you prepare to do this.
However, in some cases, we don’t have the opportunity to talk things out. We can still choose to extend mercy and intercede for those who’ve wronged us, like Jesus did on the cross.
“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
At the bottom of this article, I’ve included a study page centered on forgiveness — to help you examine areas in your life in which you may be judging others.
My prayer is that this study will help you to break free from that reflex, to humble yourself and remember the frailty of humanity, and to internalize the goodness and mercy that God has made available to each and every one of us.
Final Encouragement
I encourage you; If you’re going to judge anyone, judge them compared to God’s word, not your own standard. Then intercede for them. Pray that they would overcome sin, not be condemned for it.
In doing this, you’re truly being like Jesus. (2 Corinthians 3:18)
As always, let’s encourage, support, and confess to one another in the comments!
And don’t forget to download your study page!!!
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