On judgment
Are you doing it right?
Judgment. As humans, we are quick to judge others.
Most often, in this day and age, we judge people by their appearance and we haven’t even seen most of them with our own eyes in real life. All thanks to the WWW and social media.
Jesus gives specific direction regarding this very flaw in each one of us. It was given so long ago and yet, it is 100% applicable and needful today.
Scripture:
Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?
And every man went unto his own house.
John 7:24, 51 & 53
Observation:
His direction isn’t to not judge, however, which is typically what we do to overcompensate for the overwhelming judgment in the world.
Jesus tells us to just righteously. What exactly does that mean? How are we, unrighteous, to judge another person righteously?
Nicodemus’ words show us the first step towards righteous judgment.
Application:
Hearing from a person. Hearing their story. Listening to them and what they have to say.
This requires us to actually know and see the person in real life. Taking time to learn the full truth from them.
Not second-hand information. Not through the grapevine. Not through gossip. From the source.
Only when this is done can we have any chance at judging righteously.
If we are unable (or unwilling…) to meet and hear a person’s story, then we need to do as this chapter concludes.
Mind our own business. Bite our tongues. Go to our own homes.
The directions have been given. The question is…will we follow them?
Kneeling:
Lord, help me overcome the struggle of judging others. Remind me of my need for You, your grace, mercy and forgiveness. When I’m not in a place where I’m willing or able to hear a person’s story, teach me to walk away into my own home.