Matthew 7:1 says “Judge not, lest you be judged.”
Or in more common tongue, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.”
This one strikes to the heart. I’m guilty as ever.
The Lord, by His Holy Spirit, is showing me how I have pride in my life. I’ve taken offense and I’ve judged and condemned others in my mind.
It’s wrong. It’s gross. It hurts the Bride of Christ, hurts my soul and fails to give God the glory He deserves.
Do unto others
“Leaders never criticize, condemn or complain.”
Revolution5 quote based on How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
These must be some of the earliest and most basic lessons taught in the Christian faith:
- Treat people like you’d want them to treat you
- Remove the log from your eye before you hunt for the speck from one another’s
- Be quick to forgive, slow to speak and slow to become angry
I am woefully aware that I’ve failed at every one of these. In my own heart, I haven’t modeled Christlike love, humility and grace. I’m guilty, once again — totally in need of my Savior.
There is grace and forgiveness for this imperfection; and in the end, may it give God more glory. But in the moment, I feel the conviction of the Spirit. I’m wrong and I know it.
“Father, forgive me, for I have sinned against you and and against my brothers and sisters. I’m humbled before you and I repent. Teach me to respond with love, to overlook the mistakes of others, that I might not be easily offended. To you be the glory, Lord.”
Romans 14:13 says “Therefore let us stop passing judgement on one another.”
As the church, we need to be so slow to cast judgement.
I recently caught part of a satirical response* to a modern worship leader and child of God. Instead of offering prayers, fellowship and forgiveness, Jesus’ precious bride is picking up stones to throw.
We must realize that when we throw stones at other believers, we’re throwing stones at ourself, for how can the body be divided from itself?
“Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgement on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you — who are you to judge your neighbor?”
James 4:11-12
When our flesh desires vengeance, justice and seeks to attack another — even if we feel righteous in our response — let’s surrender it before the Lord.
Justice and judgement are His. He’s big enough to handle it.
*I’ll leave this youtube video unnamed. Our critical opinions spewed publicly for all to see are hurting the heart of God and damaging our witness to non-believers.