Using Good Judgment!

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Matthew 7: 1-2

We do need to have good judgment about our own actions, but Scriptures cautions us about judging others. It is so easy to judge the “others” who are different from us. They claim to be Christian, but it doesn’t show in their lives, and we judge. They make a great deal of money, and yet are stingy, and we judge. This could go on and on, but I am sure you get the picture.

Why is it important that we don’t judge others? First of all, we will be judged by God with the same measuring stick we use against others. If we show respect and understanding, that is what will be given to us by God. If we judge harshly and rashly, so will we be judged!

An even more compelling reason not to judge is because we are far from being perfect ourselves, and we can’t see all that lies behind a person we are judging. We are not God! When we judge others, we put ourselves in the place of God, violating God’s first commandment.

Is this an area you struggle with? Try understanding rather than condemning Try getting to know them, looking for God’s image in them, remembering that every one of us is one of God’s precious created ones.

And remember, we don't have to like what people do, only respect the fact that they too are know and loved by God's - and it is God's job alone to judge them.