“Judge not, that you be not judged.” —Matthew 7:1
“Jesus’ instructions with regard to judging others is very
simply put; He says, “Don’t.” The average Christian is the most piercingly
critical individual known. Criticism is one of the ordinary activities of
people, but in the spiritual realm nothing is accomplished by it. The effect of
criticism is the dividing up of the strengths of the one being criticized. The
Holy Spirit is the only one in the proper position to criticize, and He alone
is able to show what is wrong without hurting and wounding. It is impossible to
enter into fellowship with God when you are in a critical mood. Criticism
serves to make you harsh, vindictive, and cruel, and leaves you with the
soothing and flattering idea that you are somehow superior to others. Jesus
says that as His disciple you should cultivate a temperament that is never
critical. This will not happen quickly but must be developed over a span of
time. You must constantly beware of anything that causes you to think of
yourself as a superior person.[…] If I
see the little speck in your eye, it means that I have a plank of timber in my
own (see Matthew 7:3-5). Every wrong thing that I see in you, God finds in me.
Every time I judge, I condemn myself (see Romans 2:17-24).” CHAMBERS
So does that mean that we ignore sin? No. There is not a problem in confronting
sin. The problem lies in your motivation
for the confrontation. I have said many
times “The only difference between encouragement and condemnation is
motivation.” What is my goal in
confronting sin. Do I want the person to
reflect Jesus and glorify God or do I want them condemned … punished for what
they have done. Our purpose should be
the former not the latter. There is only
one eternal judge, and you are not Him.
It is not your responsibility to perfect the world or even the people
around you. It is you responsibility to
be a living testimony of God’s grace and mercy … and to show that same grace
and mercy toward others. To encourage
one another to love and good works. (Hebrews
10:24) Once again, let me remind you
that we are talking about something the is spiritual. If you are thinking that you have a hard time
not being judgmental, most likely the problem is that you don’t understand it
is a spiritual act, not a decision of the mind.
Although, you must be willing to resist your old nature and yield to
your new nature. Look, there may be some
very clear explanations for why you are the way you are, but the truth is,
that, in Christ, the old is gone and the new has come. But you have to let the old go …. ELGIN
Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)
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