Tag: Judge Not

Posted on

Love One Another

I had a couple of real tough questions come to mind last night. Do I harbor bitterness? Am I judgmental?

Dave and I discussed the first question and I could honestly say there isn’t a person who came to mind that I am bitter towards. We have been openly criticized and even defamed but if any of those people called or came to my door I would welcome them in with open arms, offer them comfort (a meal, a bed, a shoulder) and love on them.

However, I’m still working on the judgmental part. In fact, I found myself in several different situations in my dreams last night and had to deal with that very thing.

If I had been with Jesus when he was preaching and teaching would I have been accepting of the woman in adultery, would I have been willing to eat dinner with Zacchaeus, would I have even talked to the woman at the well long enough to find out that she needed a friend or a Savior? Would I have chosen Peter with his impetuous character to be one of my closest companions?

Jesus never condemned the sinner, only their sin. Would I or could I do the same?

I’m just being honest with you. Too many times I judge people by their outward appearance or their actions without seeing who Jesus sees. I heard a person sharing on television a few days ago and he made a comment similar to this. “When I looked into the face of Jesus on the cross, saw His suffering and realized it was my sin that put Him there my heart broke. He loved me in spite of all I have done; He loved me enough to forgive me and die in my place. How could I possibly judge others for who they are and what they do when I was guilty? His death paid the price for all our sins”.

This is what the Apostle Paul said: “And the Scriptures were written to teach and encourage us by giving us hope. 5 God is the one who makes us patient and cheerful. I pray that he will help you live at peace with each other, as you follow Christ. 6 Then all of you together will praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Honor God by accepting each other, as Christ has accepted you. 8 I tell you that Christ came as a servant of the Jews to show that God has kept the promises he made to their famous ancestors. Christ also came, 9 so that the Gentiles would praise God for being kind to them…13 I pray that God, who gives hope, will bless you with complete happiness and peace because of your faith. And may the power of the Holy Spirit fill you with hope.” Romans 15:4-13 CEV

We are always going to have different opinions over politics, money, education, appearance, lifestyle, doctrines but those differences should never stop us from loving those whom God created.

Now don’t think that I am condoning sin, I’m not. We need to have the same mind as Christ in this. He hated sin so much that He died to pay the price for our atonement. He loved us so much that He willingly went to the cross.

I’m still learning to love without being judgmental. Sin is sin, there’s no getting around that but God is the one who is the righteous judge. We are called to be disciples of Christ and that means we are called to love.

“But I am giving you a new command. You must love each other, just as I have loved you. 35 If you love each other, everyone will know that you are my disciples.” John 13:34-35 CEV

Posted on

Good, Better, Best

My computer recently started showing signs that it was tired and slowly down. I talked to two of my computer “gurus” and their advice was the same – it’s time to get a newer, faster, better computer. The one I was currently using was over three years old and had served me well but it just couldn’t keep up.

I listened carefully when they told me what were “must have’s” and what they felt I needed most for my work. Then came the search. Some were good, others were better but which one was best? I compared ten to twenty different laptops before asking their advice on the one I purchased. Thumbs up!

One of my least favorite things to do is set up a computer and another one is setting up a new phone. I have done both of these in the last two months. I would rather go to a dentist or dig ditches; I feel so inadequate as I stumble my way through. I have told the Lord this several times, believe me. It was after much prayer for wisdom that I sat down yesterday morning and started the process. Thank you Lord for guiding me through the steps.

I had wished that someone could have been here talking to me, directing me. That would have been good. Better yet, it would have been nice to hand my old computer and my new one to someone and let them do all the setup and transferring of data. However, I wouldn’t have learned much in doing that. God did give me wisdom and I was able to overcome my apprehension and my fear. I used the “help” search a lot and was able to complete most of the tasks.

Today there are still several steps I need to finish up on so you can pray for me. But this morning I am writing the blog on my new computer and feeling very accomplished.

You might not be intimidated by computers and phones but there’s certainly an area of life where you feel that others excel and you are lacking. In those areas, you may also find yourself comparing yourself to others. The Apostle Paul says we are unwise when we do that.

“We don’t dare put ourselves in the same class with those who think they are so important. We don’t compare ourselves to them. They use themselves to measure themselves, and they judge themselves by what they themselves are. This shows that they know nothing.” II Corinthians 10:12 ERV

When we compare we do one of two things, we either judge ourselves as inferior to others or superior to them. Neither one of these is good. Our goal should be to see others the way the Lord sees them and to have others see Christ living in us. That is true success.

“Don’t change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but let God change you inside with a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to understand and accept what God wants for you. You will be able to know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect.

3 God has given me a special gift, and that is why I have something to say to each one of you. Don’t think that you are better than you really are. You must see yourself just as you are. Decide what you are by the faith God has given each of us.” Romans 12:2-3 ERV

The Lord will change us, and others, in a way that only He can. He will give us the understanding to recognize the good, the pleasing and the perfect. We will discover what is good, better and best!

Posted on

Is Someone Judging You?

Have you ever been misjudged? Maybe it was your appearance; maybe your age or maybe it was the region you came from? Better yet let me ask this question, have you ever misjudged someone?

Either way – judging or being judged – is detrimental.

Years ago I worked at a community college and a young man worked under my supervision. My best description of him was he could have been a character from a pirates movie. I judged him on his appearance. In a few weeks I came to know him better and found that he was a real evangelist on campus. I repented quickly for judging.

Samuel was a priest and God sent him on a mission. He was to find and anoint a king for Israel. Saul, the reigning king, had turned his back on God’s instruction and then he lied about it. He even consulted a witch instead of the Lord. The Lord told Samuel to find and anoint a new king.

Samuel went where the Lord sent him, to Bethlehem. There he found Jesse who had seven sons. Samuel told Jesse why he was there and so each son was brought before Samuel. Samuel saw one who looked like he would be God’s chosen but the Lord didn’t agree. Six sons came before Samuel and the Lord rejected each of them.

Jesse, David’s father, didn’t even have David come to meet the priest. How do you like that? His own father judged David unqualified, he was just a kid! But look what the Lord said.

“But the Lord told him, “Samuel, don’t think Eliab is the one just because he’s tall and handsome. He isn’t the one I’ve chosen. People judge others by what they look like, but I judge people by what is in their hearts.” I Samuel 16:7 CEV

“Jesse sent for David. He was a healthy, good-looking boy with a sparkle in his eyes. As soon as David came, the Lord told Samuel, ‘He’s the one! Get up and pour the olive oil on his head.’ 13 Samuel poured the oil on David’s head while his brothers watched. At that moment, the Spirit of the Lord took control of David and stayed with him from then on.” I Samuel 16:12-13 CEV

If you’ve been judged unfairly by others, take heart! Really! Take your heart for God and know that even though men reject you God has chosen you. The Pharisees and religious rulers thought Jesus wasn’t qualified to be the Messiah because “can anything good come from Nazareth”. He was judged ineffective simply because of where He lived.

When God gives you a task to do His is the only opinion that matters.

We must be careful not to judge others. Jesus told us plainly to “judge not lest we be judged”. God qualifies and equips those He chooses. Did you see what the verse said about King David? “the Spirit of the Lord took control of David and stayed with him from then on.”

It doesn’t matter if we’re young or old, rich or poor, educated or not, male or female, religious or common, our God looks on the heart! The only question should be – how is my heart?

Lord, I desire to have my heart pure in Your site. In Jesus name.

Posted on

Don’t Judge

This morning I am recycling a post I put on Facebook about 4 or 5 years back. So many principles from the Bible need to be retaught from time to time. I hope you will find this to be a good refresher.

Ever feel like people judge you wrongly? They misunderstand or misconstrue a situtation or action and immediately jump to the wrong conclusion and you are branded, judged and even convicted.

Ever done that to someone? Ya, that’s the harder question to answer honestly. We have so many reasons or excuses for our actions. But when we judge others we are much less lenient.

” Jesus said: Don’t judge others and God won’t judge you. Don’t be hard on others, and God won’t be hard on you. Forgive others, and God will forgive you. 38 If you give to others, you will be given a full amount in return. It will be packed down, shaken together, and spilling over into your lap. The way you treat others is the way you will be treated.” Luke 6:37-38 ERV

These are the words of Jesus. There are no exceptions like it’s ok to judge people who cut you off in traffic, are rude to you in the grocery store, don’t share your same political view, or who are just antagonistic. NO EXCEPTIONS!

If we judge, we will be judged and we all know that is not a pleasant situation to be in. There’s only one judge who rules justly and we are not HIM.

“Treat others just as you want to be treated. 32 If you love only someone who loves you, will God praise you for that? Even sinners love people who love them. 33 If you are kind only to someone who is kind to you, will God be pleased with you for that? Even sinners are kind to people who are kind to them. 34 If you lend money only to someone you think will pay you back, will God be pleased with you for that? Even sinners lend to sinners because they think they will get it all back.

35 But love your enemies and be good to them. Lend without expecting to be paid back. Then you will get a great reward, and you will be the true children of God in heaven. He is good even to people who are unthankful and cruel. 36 Have pity on others, just as your Father has pity on you.” Luke 6:31-36 CEV

I’m working on making this my daily goal in the upcoming year. I want to be more like the Father so I need to be less judgmental. There’s no room in His life for it and so there should be none in mine! He doesn’t keep track of my faults and I shouldn’t keep track of others faults.

Make 2020 a judgement free year. Happy New Year.

Privacy Policy Proudly powered by WordPress