JUDGE OR BE JUDGED?

BIBLE PASSAGE:
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not
condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive,
and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given
to you.”
(Luke 6:37)

MEDITATION:
It has been said that Luke 6:37 is the most quoted verse in the Bible.
A lot of folks use this verse whenever they want to prove a point.
Usually they direct it toward other people, but overlook themselves.
They often use this verse to tell others what they should not do, but
fail to listen to their own advice.

Jesus gave us these words to challenge ourselves, and not for controlling
others. Generally, people are often hard on others, but easy on themselves.
This is probably the reason we were given this verse. Jesus wants us to look
inwardly and not outwardly when making our assessments. Judging others
is something we should leave in the hands of God.
    “It is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another.”
    (Psalm 75:7)

Whenever we choose to judge others, not only are we unqualified
because we cannot read their hearts, but worse than that, we have
chosen to do something that is reserved for God (in essence we are
‘usurping’ God’s authority, which is never a good thing to do).

God’s Word is intended to teach us about having relationships with
others; He wants us to focus more on what we do, and less not what
others do. God teaches us how to react to any issues that arise in a
relationship, and not how to ‘fix’ the other person (as with judging,
‘fixing’ is God’s responsibility, and not ours).
    Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what
    is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as
    it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not
    take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s
    wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”
    says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry,
    feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In
    doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do
    not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
    (Romans 12:17-21)

We can certainly evaluate the actions of others, but we
should not judge the person – that’s God’s responsibility.
It doesn’t mean we are to blindly accept everything at face
value; we should ‘examine the fruit’ to see if the actions or
words of others, is aligned with and supported by the scriptures.

If we fail to compare to God’s Word what we see or hear, then we
could easily be led in any number of wrong directions. Whenever
we think of Luke 6:37, we should use it as a ‘checkpoint’ reminder
of the things we need to change in our own lives, so we can improve
our relationship with God, and with others.

ACTION:
Do you justify your judgment of others by thinking (1) that you are
trying to help them, and (2) that you are trying to ‘fix’ them? Have
you ever realized that when you judge others, you are overstepping
your boundaries established by God?

We can only observe the outward things we see in another person,
but God can read their hearts. Therefore, He is the only one who
is qualified to accurately judge anyone. His Word makes it clear
that when we are concerned about others, our responsibility is to
love them, and not to try to force them to make changes.

It makes sense, doesn’t it? When we consider our own lives, how
many times have we had the thought, “Nobody understands me”?
Only we, and God know what we feel in our hearts. When we fail
in our obedience to the Lord, it is an issue between us and Him.

From a positive viewpoint, God may be asking us to do something
for His kingdom that others might not understand, or have decided
(judged) that we are not qualified to do. However, God knows how
He has equipped us and what we are capable of doing (some things
we may not even realize ourselves, until we answer His ‘call’ to serve).

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I have judged,
or pre-judged others. Thank You for reminding me that
You are the only one qualified to judge, and that my focus
needs to be on loving and encouraging others. Help me to
look for ways to love and encourage, as a replacement for
looking for the faults and failures in others. Thank You
for reading my heart that others cannot see. Remind me
that I should treat others in the same way I want to be
treated by them.”

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