“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.”
Matthew 7:1-2 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.7.1-2.NLT
Jesus is sharing the ways of God’s Kingdom in Matthew 5-7. Here, he takes up the issue and practice of passing judgment on each other.
Reflection
Let’s face it. We are encouraged and invited to pass judgment on others all the time. It is encouraged in our culture. We have entire media platforms that count on reaction, criticism, and judgment. This is all considered a right and protected by free speech in the USA.
Jesus makes a clear statement here: Passing judgment on others is not the way of Christ. This is not a value, behavior, or practice that is part of the Kingdom of God.
Jesus also communicates a principle for us to pay attention to: If you insist on judging others, be aware that you will be judged in the same ways.
It is hard to be with a person who constantly criticizes you. The steady supply of judgment is exhausting and wears a relationship out. In the end, we want to distance ourselves from people who thrive on judgment and criticism of others.
Encouragement
Christ invites us to a different way of living. Instead of tearing each other down, we know that we have received Christ's forgiveness.
We are free to live with love and compassion towards each other.
Be aware that if you have a pattern of judging others, it is a habit you need God’s help to break. Consider these questions every time you are tempted to run your mouth off with words of judgment or heap criticism on someone else:
- Holy Spirit, will you help me lead with love and compassion right now?
- How can I love this person rather than heap criticism on them?
- Is there something I can do or pray for to bless this person?
Making the transition away from a judging or critical spirit to one of love and compassion requires the help of the Holy Spirit. Jesus wants us to learn how to live this way of love and compassion.
Prayer
Dear Jesus,
Your words on judging others are so timely.
It is too easy to conform to culture and be judgmental and critical of people we know and those we have never met, but we feel free to say things about them anyway. Please forgive us.
Thank you for inviting us to live with compassion and love towards others.
Help us to focus on how to love, bless, and encourage people.
Let us lift people up in prayer rather than spout off judgment and criticism.
This is the way of your Kingdom. We need help learning how to live this way. Holy Spirit, teach us.
As far as our free speech goes, work with us to discipline all of it in the ways of your Kingdom. Then, our words will be of real help to others along the way.
In your name, Jesus, we pray,
Amen
Ed McDowell