THERE IS ONLY ONE JUDGE
I have been perplexed by the thought of judging. Are we supposed to judge? I have heard all my life, “Judge Not, That Ye Be Not Judged.” I thought that was pretty straight forward, I am in no place to judge anyone, I have no knowledge of their circumstances, or what is in their heart. However, once several years ago, I attended a church where the sermon was on judging. The preacher said we SHOULD judge people. His theory was kind of like the old saying, “If you lay down with dogs you will get fleas.” He said you should surround yourself with good people, and not anyone who you thought would be a bad influence.
I understand his thought process, but I still never attended that church again. I have been just as guilty as anyone else in the judging category, especially when it comes to my children. I never wanted them to hang out with anyone who I considered inappropriate. Maybe they dressed too provocative, drank too much, smoked, or did drugs. I have even banned kids from my house until they could pass a drug test, I wanted to keep that influence as far away from my kids as I could. Is this judging the person, or just their habits? Is there a difference? In church last Sunday, my preacher spoke on the book of Jude. Jude warned that those who were sitting in the pews were the biggest danger to the church. We are always on the lookout for the thief, the crook, the prostitute, but are the ones who pose the biggest danger to our spiritual being, sitting in the church with us? Are there members inside the church who are always complaining, always causing problems in one way or another? Are some people so righteous, that they turn people away from the Lord?
In the Bible, you will find that Jesus never judged anyone, not by race, not by status, not by deeds. He took compassion on those who others condemned, and he healed those who had been outcast. In James 4:12, it says, “But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?” There was a sign I saw on the internet that read, “You’re a temple, not a courtroom. Don’t judge.” In Sunday school, we followed along with this subject in talking about appearances. One lady remembered reading an article about how the people of a certain town looked down upon a woman who was always dirty and unkept. She went on to say that the article said the woman was saving pennies in order to buy a bar of soap. She had other needs to spend her money on, (family, food, etc.) and the bar of soap was a luxury. That is hard for me to understand, I have never been in her shoes, I cannot imagine how she gets through life.
I know I need help in this area. I know I need to extend more love and compassion, and less judgement. I know that to improve some peoples lives, you have to get a few fleas.
Have a blessed day.
Great post today, Tania! Thanks for sharing your faith!
What a beautiful message! Thank you so much for sharing 😉
Very thought provoking! A blessing on this dreary day in Livingston.
I’m so glad that I completely stumbled upon this blog by accident. I was blessed. Thank you!
Tania I always look forward to your Sunday posts. I try to remember that there is a difference between our relationships between believers and unbelievers. Our charge as believers is to hold each other accountable to the Word of God. A lot to consider.
It would appear that you’re my little rock of Gibraltar amidst the ocean of bloggers, Tania 🙂 why else would I be gravitating towards your posts every Sunday, of late.
This is such a difficult topic, overflowing with grey areas. And I’m immensely guilty of being quick to judge. To presume. As I’m certain people are of me. It’s the nature of being human, I suppose. I will say that I’ve been making conscious attempts to stop doing it but regrettably, I don’t always succeed.
Ooh Tania, you are really growing as a writer! This is beautiful. It reminds me not only of my favorite scriptures but my favorite novel To Kill a Mockingbird. Atticus tells his children, who have a friend to lunch and are appalled he pours syrup over everything, that they shouldn’t judge the other child. He asks them to walk around in the other person’s shoes. Beautiful thoughts today Tania. ❤️?
Thank you so much for this little reminder. None of us are perfect and we truly don’t know another’s circumstances. Thank you for this. Happy Sunday.
Good to think on. However we need to be careful and not confuse judging with codoning a behavior or sin. Jesus loved everyone but remember he told them to go and sin no more. He loved them but did not agree to or accept their sin. We “can” love someone but also let them know they are immoral or whatever – but that God loves them and will forgive them if they repent and accept him and turn from their sinful ways. God bless all!
Thank you Tania for this reminder. I too, have been judgmental “until” I went through a separation and divorce. I lost friends however I have gained new friends to replace the ones I lost. During this time I felt convicted how I had judged people and experienced first hand how it feels to be judged, snubbed in public and treated not so nice by “Christians”. I also learned that there are two sides of a story and no one knows what happens behind closed doors. I will say this time in my life has brought me closer to God, more understanding to people going through any kind of trial and I truly appreciate God’s grace. I do know that God is my judge and knows my ❤️…..that’s all that matters. ~Lisa~
thanks Tania for writing about this subject. I used to be the quickest person to judge….not proud of it, but true. Then 26 years ago I went thru a very difficult time in my life. I did not share details with my friends, it was my business. I was So Judged. I lost my Christian friends, all except one, we had not been close, but she did not judge me. I learned a huge lesson during that period of time. Jesus always spoke of love , and positive things. I try to be compassionate, never judge, and pray a lot. Have a good one.
I always Judge to quick and I hate that about myself. My boyfriend (for 25years now, so boyfriend sounds so ,,young,, but we are not married) never never judges! He leaves everyone in their ,,vallue,,(didnt know how to say that) That is a fantastic thing!
I think this is a great post Tania – we often read things and judge people too but you never know the whole story…plus we are all human and all make mistakes which is something we should also think of before judging others…
Wishing you a lovely Sunday – today I am so excited as am on the train on my way to Paris Fashion Week!
http://funkyforty.com/train-or-plane-to-paris/
xx Yvonne
http://www.funkyforty.com
Very thought provoking, this is something we are all guilty of I’m sure. How does the saying go, walk a mile in my shoes? We are often quick to judge others but ignore our own short comings. I wish you a blessed day too.