Picking On Others

Do not judge others, and you will not be judged.

Matthew 7:1

ASK SOMEONE WHY THEY don’t go to church, and often their response is “I don’t want to feel judged by others.” And let’s be honest—it can be tempting to judge others because it takes the focus off our own shortcomings and need for grace. When we do that, though, we hurt our witness and open ourselves up to charges of hypocrisy. As recipients of lavish grace from the Father, we ought to be people known for grace, not judgment.

The words of Jesus are simple and concise: “Do not judge.” But this is not a reference to being a discerning Christian. Scripture repeatedly counsels us to evaluate carefully and choose between good and bad. Instead, Jesus warns us here about hypocritical judging in a self-righteous way.

If we foster a critical spirit toward others, we will reap what we sow. Our motivation in judging others usually isn’t a loving concern for their lives. Often, we judge in order to narrow our field of comparison, to make ourselves look better than we really are.

Often, God allows us a privileged peek at people’s failures, not so that we can feel holier-than-thou and dismissive but so we can pray for those people and consider how we can show them mercy. The next time you are tempted to pick on someone else’s faults, ask yourself this question: How did I get into the Kingdom?

BOTTOM LINE

Ask God to temper your judging, and turn up the heat on your loving.

Moment of Strength: 1 Peter 5:5-7