Do you like being judged by others? Does it upset you when people determine you did something wrong before knowing all the details? Do you judge others in the same manner? Are you weary of all the judging that happens in our society?
We often judge others based on superficial information. We find that others judge us in much the same manner. We see judgments being cast by people all around us, and almost certainly without knowing the full circumstances and details of the situation.
The court of public opinion has risen to a fever pitch. Many are being led astray by false information. One tidbit of information is obtained and stretched to the point of being unrecognizable. This is not just happening on the national stage, but is also happening in our offices, schools, and even our churches.
There is certainly a need to hold people accountable for their actions. That is the purpose of laws across our country, whether they be federal, state, county, or city ordinances. Yet, we often see people judging others without all the facts.
During our day-to-day interactions with others, we are called to judge no one. We are told that God will judge everyone at the appointed time. Our God cannot lie. So, when God promises to judge at the appointed time, why don’t we trust Him to do as He promised? Is it because we think we are God?
When we judge others, especially without all the facts, we put ourselves in God’s place. Oh, we may say that’s not what we are doing, but it is exactly what we are doing. We are indicating our lack of trust in God. We are taking God’s prerogative from Him and handling it ourselves.
We are called to love, not judge. We are called to care for orphans and widows, not demean them. We are called to feed the hungry, not look down on them. We are called to follow the perfect example of Jesus, not fallen humans.
Folks, if we are to love our neighbor, we cannot continue to condemn them. Who is our neighbor? As Jesus taught in the parable of the Good Samaritan, it is everyone we meet, even those we may not like.
I pray we all decide to stop judging everyone we interact with. I pray we continue to work on removing our judgmental attitudes. I pray each one of us will ask God to change us into a loving and caring people. Stop judging. Stop condemning. Love each other. Care for each other. Provide for each other. Follow your calling from Jesus.
1 Corinthians 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.
Marty Pressey 