TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL PASSAGE

“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? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.

Matthew 7:1–5

DEVOTIONAL

by Elder Chris Beltran

A well-known pastor spoke at a big conference. He saw a man who sat in the front row sleeping through most of his lectures. He judged the situation and concluded obviously, that this man lacked spiritual interest. That assessment turned around 180 degrees when the man’s wife told him that her husband was very ill and heavily medicated. He begged his doctor for permission to come that weekend to hear his favorite speaker.

To judge, by implication, means to condemn, punish, avenge, or conclude; it also carries the idea of having discernment. Our passage today, where Jesus said, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged” (7:1), requires seeking heavenly wisdom and discernment. In reality, we need to be able to discern what is right and wrong. Love and compassion is the proper motivation for not misjudging others.

Our culture today encourages passing judgment, especially on social media. One can quickly dislike or express an issue against another person instead of settling a problem head-on. Some would ridicule or body shame people, while others join in the “fun” as they share their thoughts and experiences to insult, slander, and destroy as if they know everything. We become prosecutors, judges, and juries on social media platforms. Is this the proper channel? Be careful. The Bible mentioned that the methods we use to judge others would one day be used to judge us as well.

Is there a reason or given right for us to have this kind of nature to judge others negatively?

To judge another person shows pride. The Bible says we can’t judge what is in someone else’s heart; only God knows. We may assume a lot of things about a sensitive or emotional person without empathizing first. We may associate the wrong motives against someone who mistreats us (ignore, suddenly shout, or cut the car in front), but that person may be fighting hidden battles—unfaithful partner, sick child, bankruptcy, or piling debts. We can guilt-trip a person who may seem not to prioritize God without realizing the story behind it. We may brand spiritual immaturity or even heretic to people because they don’t pray, dress, worship, or practice the same faith or under the same denomination as we are; we need to be discerning in this area.

We shouldn’t judge or take vengeance on our enemies. “‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord” (Rom 12:19). God knows the best ways to deal with someone. If we judge people by carrying out vengeance, God will deal with us, too. Moreover, we should not judge or discriminate against people based on presupposition, race, gender, wealth, or status; James 2 reminds us not to practice favoritism.

Paul wrote, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad” (2 Cor 5:10). As leaders, we cannot avoid the many words of unfounded judgment people put on us. I have been at the receiving end of these unkind words and unwarranted opinions. However, even I often am guilty of giving these passing judgments without much knowledge of what is going on in a person’s life.

What was Jesus’ intention when he told us not to judge? The following verses allow us to judge:

“Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly” (Lev 19:15).

“Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly” (John 7:24).

“Judge not lest ye be judged.” “Mind your own business; this is my life.” We hide in these sayings since they promote tolerance and acceptance of behaviors the Bible forbids. Practitioners of actions condemned in the Bible accuse the church of judging them. (Please read Romans 1:28-32 and 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 for further understanding of these depraved behaviors.) But if we look closely, they are judging the church by saying that the church is judging them, too. The Bible addresses certain behaviors and sins that are not the fruit of a true believer. How are we not to judge them when it is so clear? If we know that something was not Jesus’ intention, what should we do? Join us again tomorrow as we continue this series on “Judge not lest ye be judged.”

REFLECTION

We all have been guilty of passing judgment on our parents, children, friends, partners, leaders, etc. Our unfounded judgment shows our prideful know-it-all thinking. Reflect on the many times our wrong judgment of others caused conflict, misunderstandings, and quarrels because of a lack of discernment.

PRAYER

Lord, many times I act in pride and not done in love to judge and find fault. Today, our verses apply to me. I should check my intent before expressing my thoughts to avoid judging with malice. Help me, Lord, by giving me Your wisdom, Your love, and Your compassion to see others as You see them.