Monday, December 20, 2010

THE SNARE OF JUDGING OTHERS

No one needs to be alerted to dangers of judging others....Mt. 7:1-5.  It can cost us our own souls...Jas. 2:13.  Yet, we seem addicted to this sin.  Worse, we don't regard it as anything heavy against the heart of God.  After all, everybody does it.

Judgment is a tough sin to break. 

Try---as hard as we must---not to be guilty of this.

The reason it is vicious is because it is completely without truth basis.  When we judge we do so from our own heart; not the victim's.  We tend to assess others according to how we would and why we would behave in those situations.  Thus we might come to conclusions based on our own wobbly, mediocre, or dark thoughts rather than knowing facts for certain. 

Assuming the motive for another's behavior from the markers from which we would do similarly can be a grave and mistaken assumption.

Perception, concern, etc. easily play into this zone....and they fit.  However, judging is simply a slippery path which can thrust us to quick and wrong conclusions about another because we didn't have facts; we made humanistic guestimates.

Therefore you are without excuse, every man of you who passes judgment, for in that you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things....and do you  suppose this, O man, when you pass judgment upon those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God (Rom. 2:1, 3)?

1 comment:

Christi Bloomer said...

WOW, did I ever need this reminder today! I have a boss that judges me CONSTANTLY and it's so challenging not do to the same thing, especially when she's so cruel, hurtful, etc. in her method and approach. Thanks for the reminder - I'll probably read this throughout the day!