Judging Others

By: Melissa Baker

Have you ever been around someone and noticed that they are being really judgmental about a person or situation? Judging others... we have all done it, there's no denying that. It happens everywhere, even in our churches. It's so easy to do, yet it's one of those things that we shouldn't be doing. We as Christians have an example to set. We should be trying our best to be living out the Word of God. We can't pick and choose which verses we will follow. Sometimes we do that without even realizing it. So we really need to be careful. We have to take control of our thoughts, including the judgmental ones. 

The level of hypocrisy in the church is disturbing to me. And it's growing. We are constantly looking around and focusing on who is doing what, who's not studying their Bible, who's not worshiping, who's  not paying their tithes, etc. when we should be focusing on our OWN walk. Because while we are asking these questions, we are also judging others, therefore there is a hindrance in our walk with the Lord. Yes, we need to have concern for our brothers and sisters in Christ and lead them to the Lord. We should be showing them how to live a christian lifestyle, and discipling them. But NO, we shouldn't be judging their walk or the things they are doing as Christians. For example, if someone is clearly in the Word everyday, we shouldn't be questioning their walk or how in depth they are studying their Bible. That is between that person and the Lord. We should, however, come along side them, help them, guide them, and put our feet where our mouth is, sort of speak. The Bible warns us multiple times about judging others. 

Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law. But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you. God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge your neighbor?

James 4:11-12

I like this verse because it reminds me that I have no right or reason to judge others. That's not my responsibility, nor my concern. That is God's job! Sometimes I need to check myself, and evaluate the thoughts I have to make sure they aren't going against what the Word says. 

“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye."

Matthew 7:1-5

If we are going to be God's servants, and leaders to the lost, we need to be very careful about judging others, because we as Christians need to be the example. And if we are judging others and their walk with God, that teaches the newer Christians, and those around us, to do the same thing. And that is not what the Bible says to do. So let's not give the world, or anyone else, a reason to think we are judgmental or hypocritical. I encourage you, take control of your thoughts, and let's raise and lift people up instead of critiquing their every move.

Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven.

Luke 6:37

Side note: No one is perfect, so if we find ourselves doing this, we should repent and accept God's grace that he freely gives us, for our humanness and imperfections.