2.Now, when's the last time you judged someone else- no matter what it was, their clothes, hair, something they said, the way they handled a situation? Think about it.
3. What if the roles of you and the other person were switched? What if you had to walk a mile in their shoes? Ever heard that expression?
You know, we're always judging one another; it's like it is society's way of figuring out where we belong in the world. By judging each other, we're placing ourselves below, or even above another person. Sometimes, we know the person pretty well, they may have been in our lives for years. Other times, we may not even know the person's name. What's it like for you? Is there someone who you're constantly harping on in your head?
Jesus commands us in Matthew 7:1 not to judge. In Matthew 7:2, he tells us we will be judged in the same way we judge others. Yeah, it's a hard task to do, but it takes work to walk in Christ's shadow.
So think about the way you judge others. What if you went under your own judgment? How would you feel? In Matthew 7:3-4, Jesus also states: "And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but don't consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye', when there is a plank in your own eye?"
In this, He is telling us we have our own troubles to worry about, but often times we overlook them and become focused on the flaws of others. If we focus on another's problems, are we not judging them for not being perfect? No one's perfect! If you think you're better than someone else, then think about that a second... By thinking your problems and actions in life aren't as bad off as the person you're judging, you're being hypocritical. Jesus tells us in verse 5: "First, remove the plank from your own eye, so that you can see clearly to remove the speck in your brother's eye." In other words, Fix yourself and your life with God first, before you even think about judging someone else or trying to fix another's life.
God created us as equals. Sure, some of us have more money than others, bigger houses than others, and some of us have just a few belongings to cherish. But, what do belongings and money mean to God? NOTHING. He doesn't care about that. He only cares about your heart, mind, thoughts, soul, and relationship with him. He wants you to develop loving, and caring relationships with those around you, NO MATTER WHO THEY ARE. We should treat one another as family, even if we don't know each other. By treating someone in a negative light the first time you meet them, aren't you creating a terrible impression of yourself? That's not the best way to get off on the right foot with a person! Or by treating someone you've known a while like they're dirt, are you not putting yourself on a pedestal? Really? What makes you any better than they are?
We are all sinful. We all judge when we shouldn't. The one thing that I hope you remember from this blog post is this:
You too will be judged. How are you judging others? 'Cause that's how it's gonna go for you when your time comes.
I hope you enjoyed this post. I wrote this as a youth lesson quite a few years ago, when I was asked to teach a lesson one night. However, judging one another isn't just a hot topic among teens. It's everywhere we go, no matter how old you are. You and me both = Guilty.
What can you do to make things right with God? Yourself? The other person?
Have a Merry Christmas.
WA
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