The problem for me is that I’m just so good at judging other people. I’ve been doing it for so long and so often that I don’t even realize when I’m doing it any more. But Faithful Holy Spirit is reminding me, lately, when I begin to do it.
A judgmental spirit is the opposite of what Jesus told us to do when He said “love one another.” It cuts us off from other people. It sets up barriers between us and people He gave His life for thus creating barriers against evangelism. As soon as I judge someone else, I limit how God could use that person to bless my life or how God can use me to bless them.
When I judge someone else, I am assuming I’m right and they are wrong. This can only be true if they are violating God’s standards in some way.
We are called on to judge people’s actions when they are contrary to God’s laws. Jesus judged some people (the Pharisees) for their pride and for placing obedience to minute laws above concern for people in need. Jesus also judged cities for rejecting His miracles.
My judgments are usually not based on righteousness, but on my personal preferences. I don’t like someone’s hair style. Or their style of worship. There are so many things that separate us. Whether to use drums and guitars to worship or not. Do we sing three hymns—first, second and fourth verses only—or can we only use the latest praise chorus sung fourteen times with our eyes closed? Come on folks. We’ve got to lighten up with one another.
Jesus Himself said in the Sermon on the Mount: “Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure it will be measured to you.”
“Lord, give me discernment to not judge others by my standards, but Yours.”
No comments:
Post a Comment