Issues of Life #42

Judge Not!

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” Matt 7:1

    Have you noticed how terribly easy it is to be critical of someone else? I mean, before you know it in a conversation about another person the talk can become critical and damaging. It’s how our flesh works. Its how the un-regenerated mind works. It is evidence that we’re not totally yielded to the Father. When we judge someone with our words we’re actually declaring that the transforming power of God is not powerful enough to change that person.

    Another point to consider is that when we begin to judge others we are sowing seeds that will cause us to reap a harvest of the same type. For instance, when we are judgmental of someone else we are assuring that there will be people who will also be judgmental against us! “With the same measure that we use, it will be measured back to us.” If we want to sow in such a way as to plan for a harvest of wholesome words spoken in our favor we should keep our words positive. When we speak positive words about someone we open the door for the Father to make the necessary changes in their life. It is how faith works. Instead of judging and being critical with our words we should be praying for that person! When we pray, faith is released. When we are critical, faith is deactivated. A judgmental attitude is not consistent with the nature and character of Jesus. If we’re to be conformed into His image, being judgmental is another thing that simply has to go!

    We should recognize the frailty of our own human flesh and our fleshly nature. We should realize that we have a propensity to be critical when we’re not yielded to the Father. We should be on guard and learn to take our negative, critical thoughts captive, as the Word encourages, and not allow them to overflow into our conversation. The Bible instructs us to, “Let no corrupt communication proceed from our mouth.” King David asked the Lord to, “Set a guard over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.” By our words we’re justified and by our words we are condemned. Let’s make our conversation aright and expect the blessings of God!