Dare to Judge

August 4, 2009

~Denise Grant

 

“”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

 

     Criticism has a way of focusing on rather nit-picky things, don’t you think?  Tiny and trivial tidbits of tossed torment.. We take something that bugs us about someone else – no matter how small– and blow it all out of proportion. Criticism of others is rarely used constructively, now is it?  

 

     Some people put down others in order to make themselves feel better or more important. Then there are people who merely exaggerate the faults of others while excusing or ignoring their own shortcomings. Which category do you fit into?

 

     Jesus tells us to examine our own lives instead of condemning others. Have you ever noticed – or can you even admit – that the traits that bother you most about others are often the habits you dislike in yourself?  Before you anxiously move to pass judgment on someone, first check to see if you deserve the same judgment.

 

     “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” Matthew 7:3

 

     Destructive criticism of others does little to actually help.  After all, it’s impossible to offer negative criticism and love someone at the same time. How can you put someone down – and show God’s love? We must train ourselves to distinguish between constructive and destructive criticism.

 

     If we’re going to focus on the small stuff in anybody’s life – don’t you think it ought to be our own?

 

     “How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?” Matthew 7:4

 

     I call it honest self-evaluation - It’s really nothing more than letting God into the details of your life – whether it’s the silly stuff going on in your world, or the stupid stuff wreaking havoc with your attitude.

 

     “You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:5

 

     Doing so opens yourself up for improvement. God will bring to your consciousness an awareness of areas you need to make stronger. He’ll speak to you through His Word (the Bible); and will use others to give you honest (and sometimes painful) evaluations of your behavior.

 

     Remember - God’s judgment of you will mirror how you judge others! Is that really want you want – or do you have some work to do?  If so, start here:

 

• Be generous with praise and stingy with criticism.

 

• To belittle – is to be little.

 

• Appreciate people’s differences instead of passing judgment.

 

• The urge to criticize someone usually comes from your own feelings of resentment.

 

• If you make an effort to overlook the little faults in others, they’ll do the same for you.

 

Heavenly Father,

 

     Help us to analyze our own faults before we begin to look at or look for faults in others. Your Word tells us that we’re each made in Your image. Then to judge others is to condemn You. Lord, I’m sorry. Please forgive me and help me never to judge others lest I be judged in the same manner. Amen.

Denise Grant - Just "clay" in the Master Potter's hands.

 

"If we ever forget that we are one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under." ~Ronald Reagan

 

“If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."  2 Chronicles 7:14