“You need to stop serving because you didn’t speak to that lady properly!” These were the harsh words spoken to a young man who has been striving to deepen his relationship with God and allow Him to guide him through life’s challenges, one step at a time.
My thought?
I was so heartbroken when I heard that this man was told he couldn’t serve any more. It made me stop and reflect on my own life and some of the challenges, I’ve learned to empathize with others and understand their emotions without passing any judgments.
For example, “When I saw that sister, they didn’t say hello or acknowledge me.” However, it’s important to consider that the sister may not have seen me due to being preoccupied with their own thoughts or surroundings. It’s best to avoid making assumptions about others and take a moment to pause and reflect before passing judgment.
“[a]Do not judge and criticize and condemn [others unfairly with an attitude of self-righteous superiority as though assuming the office of a judge], so that you will not be judged[unfairly]. 2 For just as you [hypocritically] judge others [when you are sinful and unrepentant], so will you be judged; and in accordance with your standard of measure [used to pass out judgment], judgment will be measured to you. 3 Why do you look at the [insignificant] speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice and acknowledge the [egregious] log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me get the speck out of your eye,’ when there is a log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite (play-actor, pretender), first get the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.
6 “Do not give that which is holy to [b]dogs, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, for they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces. Matthew 7:1-6
The scripture above clearly makes us know how important it is for us not to judge as we ourselves do not know what is in our heart.
As I was praying asking The Lord to show me mercy, heal my heart and reveal anything in me here that is not of Him, I found myself repenting and asking God to forgive me of all my sins and iniquities. I then started praying, mentioning the names of people that I have forgiven but if there was still unforgiveness in my heart. Any random name that came to me, I prayed and forgave them.
To my surprise the next time I knew, I was having a conversation with some of these people on separate occasions, sharing some of the things they’ve done, but this time in a joking way. I didn’t realise it at that time. Later, I got to know that it had been a time of confrontation not in a defensive or argumentative way but joking and fun way – there has been forgiveness.
I am sorry to say this, but most Christians like judging others so much. Get to know people!
This is something I have been learning myself. GET TO KNOW PEOPLE! It’s like marriage. Don’t judge people or think you have them all figured out before you know them. ‘Hello’ so what do you do, are you married, do you have children, how many? How old are they? These are some of the questions many people ask when they are meeting people for the first time. If you desire friendship, wait and allow the friendship to grow naturally.
We live in a world where everything is so quick, we feel that we have to know everything now. Get to know people. Take time to know their name and know them well.
Let me share with you the day I went to pick up my child from school and the teacher said that he had gotten into a fight. I asked ‘Are you sure? At this point, he was holding the hand of my child. By the time I asked again, he was so embarrassed because he was holding the hand of the wrong child. The teacher was so sorry and he apologised profusely. Now don’t get me wrong, I am not saying my child is perfect, I am using this illustration to make a point. The fact that I had taken the time to know my child made me believe that he would not be involved in anything of that sort. But then again, I asked myself, how well does this teacher know my child, what sort of report will he write? Will it be general, or will he give my child someone else report?
Get to know people so you don’t assume. Oh, this person is snobbish oh, she is grumpy oh, he doesn’t say hello to anyone. Do you know this person? Have you taken the time to know them? Do you know what they are going through? Do you pray for them?
- Don’t just go about annoying people and judging them – get to know them
- Pray for the person who didn’t greet you the last time at work or church
- The Bible says in 1 John 1:8-9 8 If we say we have no sin [refusing to admit that we are sinners], we delude and lead ourselves astray, and the Truth [which the Gospel presents] is not in us [does not dwell in our hearts].
9 If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action].
Psalm 103: 2-3 also says Bless and affectionately praise the Lord, O my soul,
And do not forget any of His benefits; Who forgives all your sins,
Who heals all your diseases;
- Bless The Lord and praise His Holy for giving you salvation. He is the one who forgives all of our sins. He sent His only son to die and forgive us of all of our sins. For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favour drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God; Ephesians 2:8
Lord help us to be like you. To love and not to judge others or look at others through our own lenses. Give us the grace to know you more and to be like you. Show us mercy Father as we strive to be like you. As Paul says in the book of Galatians 2:20 20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me
Ask The Lord to search your heart and reveal to you where you have judged people or harboured unforgiveness and ask Him to forgive you.
We ask this in the name of our dear Lord Jesus Christ – AMEN!