2 minute read.
Daily Reading: Job 31 GW; Romans 2 GW
Give love, not judgment.
Paul is beginning a chapter and a half dialogue on judgment. He’s calling to task those who judge others because they themselves do the same thing. Scrolling through the 10 Commandments will remind you of your sin. As the old saying goes, if you say you’ve never lied, your lying. Who hasn’t lied? White lies told to spare someone’s feelings count as lies.
Judging is tough because we all do it. And when we sum up another person, we do it from a limited perspective, ours. We are basing our judgment on what we perceive. Let’s face the facts; we don’t know much. We may have information about particular things, but we don’t understand everything. When we judge people, we are doing so from our own bias because of our limited knowledge.
Realize your limitations.
Growing closer to God makes me realize I judge people. I’ve also realized that because I have high standards for myself, I place the same on others. But God did not create people to live up to my standards. God reminds me, He’s the Judge; my role is to love.
To help me battle my judgemental ways, I use these verses:
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce, you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:1-3 ESV)
When I start down the judging road, I remind myself, I’ve got a plank in my own eye. Imperfection defines me; even in my striving for perfection, I fall short. Before I judge another, I need to take a look in the mirror. We’re all sinners, all equal in the eyes of God.
Remember, we all have planks. Each of us falls short of perfection. But God loves us anyway. And He expects us to love as well.
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Lord, thank You for loving us, warts and all. Forgive us for judging others unfairly. Remind us of the planks in our own eyes. Help us deal with our stuff before we ask others to deal with theirs. Lead us to healthier relationships as we follow You. Give us grace for ourselves and others. IJNIP. Amen
Question for reflection
What plank does God want you to deal with today?
