“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgement 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?
Have you ever felt judged by other people? What did you feel? It hurts, doesn’t it? And when we are the ones who see or notice something wrong in others, more often than not, we also judge them. Why is this happening? And why is it difficult to stop ourselves from thinking badly about our fellow man?
The author James Bryan Smith said, “There are two primary reasons why we judge others: to fix people or to make us feel better about ourselves.” We want to try to change other people because of the mistakes we see in them. And often, when we judge others, we feel that we are better or that we can lift more than them.
According to Mother Teresa, “If you judge people, you have no time to love them.” Do you agree? When judgment and condemnation come first, we don’t give ourselves the opportunity to love our neighbor. We don’t have time to get to know them better and understand them.
Although it is difficult to follow what Jesus says, “Do not judge others,” it is not impossible as long as He is with us. He said in Matthew 7:7 (ERV), “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.”
He knows our weakness and wants to help us. So let’s ask for His help so that we can love and understand our neighbor. He is the God who knows the contents of the heart and mind, as well as actions, of everyone. He also reminds us that we have all sinned against Him but He has forgiven and accepted us. So with the help of Jesus, through the love He put in our hearts, we can also understand and love others.
Let’s Pray:
Lord Jesus, help me to love the people around me. Please teach me, Lord, to understand their situation instead of judging immediately. I admit that I have thought badly of others. Thank you for your forgiveness.
Application:
Next time you are tempted to immediately judge others, pray for that person. Add his name to your Prayer List.
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