DO NOT JUDGE OTHERS!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 29, 2020.

SUBJECT: DO NOT JUDGE OTHERS!

Memory verse: "Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” (Luke 6 vs 37.)

READ: Matthew 7 vs 1 - 2; Luke 6 vs 37 - 38:

Matthew 7:1: Judge not, that ye be not judged.
7:2: For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.

Luke 6:37: Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven:
6:38: Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.

INTIMATION:

To “judge” is to pass sentence, condemn, or punish. It’s to consider and form an idea. To criticize someone for doing wrong. Jesus’ statement, “Judge not,” is not to the right one has to form an opinion or to take notice of and help correct the wrong behavior of others. It is against the kind of hypocritical, judgmental attitude that tears others down in order to build oneself up. One must always look at others with an attitude of love. The statement is not a blanket statement to overlook wrong behavior of others but a call to be discerning rather than negative. 

If we have all sinned, as the Scripture foretold (Romans 3 vs 23), why then do we have to be judgmental and condemning of others who sin. Whenever we find ourselves feeling justifiably angry about someone’s sin, we should be careful. We need to speak out against sin, but we need do so in a spirit of humility. Often the sins we notice most clearly in others are the ones that have taken root in us. If we look closely at ourselves, we may find that we are committing the same sins in more socially acceptable forms. For example, a person who gossips may be very critical of others who gossip about him or her.

The Bible in John 8 tells us the story of woman caught in adultery, and the Scribes and Pharisees brought her to Jesus, condemned her and judged her in accordance with the law of Moses, ready stone her to death. Jesus said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” (John 8 vs 7.) This is a significant statement about judging others. By saying that only a sinless person could throw the first stone, He highlighted the importance of compassion and forgiveness. When others are caught in sin, are you quick to pass judgement? To do so is to act as though you have never sinned. 

We are always likely to have hidden sin in our lives, sin we don’t even know about because God’s standards are so high and our performance is so imperfect. Therefore, why judge another? It is tempting to judge fellow Christians, evaluating whether or not they are good followers of Christ. But only God knows a person’s heart, and He is the only one with the right to judge. We are to confront those who are sinning, but we must not judge who is a better servant of Christ. 

When you judge someone, you invariably consider yourself better—and that is arrogant. It is God’s role to judge, not ours. Our role is to show forgiveness and compassion. The Bible says, “Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.” (Romans 14 vs 4.) We are all God’s servants. We are accountable to God only, especially in reference those things that deal with salvational matters. 

Examine your attitude and actions toward others. Do you build people up or tear them down? When you’re ready to criticize someone, remember God’s law of love and say something good instead. Saying something beneficial to others will cure you of finding fault and increase your ability to obey God’s law of love. How we long for fair treatment from others, but do we give it? We hate those who base their judgements on appearance, false evidence, or hearsay, but are we quick to judge others using those standards? 

The apostle Paul said, “Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself, for you who judge practice the same things.” (Romans 2 vs 1.) This is a confirmation of what Christ said in Luke 6 vs 37 - 38. If we are critical rather compassionate, we will also receive criticism. If we treat others generously, graciously, and compassionately, however, these qualities will come back to us in full measure, and may sometimes surpass ours. We are to love others, not judge them. The thrust of what Jesus stated in those verses is that we will be dealt with by God in the same manner by which we treat our fellow man. Therefore, when we measure mercy to others, God will in turn measure mercy to us. 

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of love, that I may love others, and not be critical of them, treating others with compassion and care, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!