Rest for your Souls: Do Not Judge

The “conversation” was not going well. I slammed the drawer and faced my friend. Tired of yet another argument, I said, “You are such an angry person!”

Unfortunately, calling my friend out on her behavior did not help the situation at all. In fact, it only increased the hostility and emotion. Indignant she glared at me and said, “That’s funny Lydia, because you are probably one of the angriest people I have ever met!!”

Ouch.

Thankfully, my friend and I apologized a few hours later, but those harsh words left a negative mark on our relationship.Years later my friend called me and tearfully we confessed our past immaturities and anger toward each other. After that conversation, we truly forgave each other.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus challenged the way his followers treated other people.

“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.

And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.” (Matthew 7:1-5, NLT)

Have you ever had a log in your own eye?

Jesus illustration seems almost comical. Of course it would be ridiculous to attempt eye surgery on someone else when you have a huge obstruction impairing your own vision. And yet, how often do we treat people judgmentally with unrealistic standards?

Jesus’ command not to judge does not mean we ignore bad behavior or harmful habits in the lives of our friends. Sometimes, we should offer gentle correction or constructive criticism. When motivated by love, these conversations help us mutually grow and thrive.

True judging comes from a prideful spirit, when we seek to feel superior to others by deliberately pointing out their flaws and maybe even enjoying it too. Instead of building up, this harsh condemnation tears down and becomes destructive to person, the relationship, and ourselves.

Ironically, the weaknesses that irritate us in other people are often the imperfections we fear or struggle with too. Maybe we judge others quickly because inwardly we berate ourselves for our own mistakes so harshly.

Thankfully, God does treat us like we treat others. When Jesus died on the cross he took the judgment we all deserve. Because of Jesus, God chooses not to deal harshly with us even when we deserve it. He doesn’t hold our weaknesses and mistakes against us (read Psalm 103:8-13, its beautiful). Therefore, we do not need to fear because there is no condemnation (judgement now or later) for those who belong to Jesus (Romans 8:1).

When we judge others wrongly, we can admit our hypocrisy and judgmental spirit to God in prayer and ask him to give us greater self-awareness so we can give others grace and continue to grow in grace ourselves.

Our Explore the Bible event will take a break during October. But we hope to see you at our Biergarten Chat on 10 October as we explore finding true rest. Check out our Connect page for more information about this event and others.