“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.”
Memory Verse: “that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you,” 1 Thessalonians 4:11
Don’t be mistaken, everything you do is being seen by at least someone, if not human, God sees all. We need to understand that the words we speak are very powerful to the point they have a massive impact on the hearer and they likewise have an impact on us the speakers.
I believe in life you might have come across people who always have opinions on everything? These are people who can always relate to every situation and by some accident they almost can begin to explain to you that they have definitely been in your situation before and even begin to evaluate what you should or shouldn’t do. Before you know it, your personal issue is being judged and for that you may begin to feel very uneasy about your life in general or out of control.
Unfortunately, that’s the way life is and we will always have people who position themselves as judges but its most important we know where we stand. Even amongst believers there are people who judge others; a lot of us fall into categories of always wanting to be present in people’s lives and in no time we start judging them, indirectly and sometimes unconsciously cascading their imperfections. We sit in a position of forcing our ideas, advises and opinions on others, an attitude which could undermine other people’s judgement and lower their morale but the bible reading today totally condemns us judging people. The word is crystal “Judge Not”.
It cannot be misunderstood that judging someone is our path to sin and may even cause our downfall if we don’t learn to mind our own business. Being a Christian does not position us as judge over other people’s lives but we are called to act in ways that brings people closer to God and not further drive them away from His presence.
If by the way we judge, we cause others to fall deeply into sin, then we become accountable for that which we have done that has caused their lives to derail further. It pays to spend time praying for someone who is derailing than using our words to destroy them further.
Mariam and Aaron took the position of God. They judged Moses for the Ethiopian woman he married and the anger of the lord arose against them Numbers 12. God has not called us to judge. He is the only one who will judge everyone as He knows the innermost intentions of why we human behave a certain way.
It’s ok not to have an opinion and there can be no sin in minding your business but praying for someone who needs Gods intervention.
Please let us note that it isn’t wrong to encourage, admonish, guide and counsel others in life, it’s not about the act but the way it is presented. No one is perfect, we are all growing and getting better each day on earth but what we should be cautious of, is our words. We must be seasoned in what proceeds from our hearts, practically place ourselves in the position of a hearer, assess how the feeling would be and do all by the help of the Holyspirit not to castigate others but to help build and develop one another.
PRAYERS:
- Father I thank you for another wonderful week just starting
- Thank you for your faithfulness and kindness
- Let my words be seasoned with grace from today, help me to live right before you
- Help me not to judge others through my acts or actions, help me to be quiet where needed and to speak where needed.
- Forgive my past acts of judging others Lord, help me to be a new man to lifts others instead
- Forgive my sins o Lord and remember my iniquities no more
- Have mercy on me O Lord and receive my sacrifice of praise, IJMN, AMEN.
