Judging Others - Part 2

Galatians 6:2 tells us to “bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
The Scripture does not say to make light of someone else’s burdens. It doesn’t say to do your part to add to the already unbearable weight of burdens that someone may be under. God’s word also does not give us the privilege of ignoring those burdens.
Yet, if we fall into the trap of judging another person, we may do all of these.

When we make the mistake of judging others, we ignore what their needs are, and the only need we seem to be fulfilling is our need to prove to them that they are wrong.
Every negative action against another person is not only unwanted and unnecessary, but is also completely ungodly.

What the person needs more than anything is for you to show them the love of Christ.
Be Christ Himself to that person. Look for the good in that person. And looking at that person as Christ Himself in front of you, look how you may serve that person with love.

Galatians 6:1 tells us, that if a man is overtaken with a fault, that we, who are spiritual, are to restore that person, in a spirit of meekness. Yet, again, if we are judgmental, we may be tempted to use this passage of Scripture to point out the person’s fault.
“You see, that’s what I’ve been trying to tell you!” In being judgmental, most certainly, it will be the “spirit of meekness” that is conspicuous by its absence.

Matthew 6:1 warns us to “beware of practicing our righteousness before men to be noticed. Yet, that is precisely what we do when we get in someone’s face to give them a piece of our mind. If our attitude comes across as, “I’ll show him who’s the boss!” and we feel it necessary to “correct” the person in front of others, then all we have really done is fool ourselves. What we have really done is brought embarrassment and humiliation to the person, and shame upon ourselves. How receptive do we expect someone to be to this kind of behavior? What do we expect that person to learn from our fine example of “I told you so”? God is far from pleased when we put ourselves on a pedestal, just to knock people down. I’m fairly certain it is impossible to build people up if we’re in the business of putting them down. We read in 1 Thessalonians 5:11 that we are to “build up one another”. The only thing you’re going to build up between yourself and the person you are judging is a very large, unscalable wall. Building up requires a foundation.
Tearing down removes the foundation altogether.

In judging others, we also violate the command in Philippians 1:27, which is to “conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ”. What possible worth is there in belittling, discouraging or putting down another person. These have no value at all.
If it is our habit to put the other person in his or her place, to make the other person feel guilty or inferior, then ask, “how is this kind of behavior worthy of the Good News of Christ? It simply isn’t. The widow of Nain could only scrape together a couple of mites, (which together made half a cent) and these were infinitely of more value than any form of condemnation, because condemnation carries a value of zero in any currency.

It is impossible for us to stand united, one in spirit, with the person we have been judging, namely because we’ve been pushing that person over. Colossians 4:5 tells us to “conduct ourselves with wisdom” but that sure doesn’t mean that we can lean on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5)

When we criticize and condemn others, we haven’t even begun to exhibit brotherly love towards others, let alone continue in it, as commanded in Hebrews 13:1.
What kind of brotherly love says its proper to go on a “fault-finding” mission?
How much brotherly love can you handle from someone who is consistently unfair and unreasonable in his or her judgment of you? The Bible says, in Romans 8:1, “there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”. If you see the person you’ve been accusing as Christ Himself in front of you, would your opinions change… and how fast?
Perhaps now you see those three little fingers pointing back at you that always do when a finger of blame is extended. Perhaps, just perhaps, rather than seeking fault in others, we should be diligently seeking Christ Himself. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that we will be rewarded if we do. Without faith, it is impossible to please God.
Do you know what else is impossible to please God with? A spirit of condemnation, an attitude of ill-will, a vitriolic tongue. None of these emanate from the Holy Spirit.

To be judgmental of others is more than just lacking in social graces. What is the missing ingredient? We find the answer in 1 Timothy 4:7. It is the discipline required for the purpose of godliness. You cannot be in pursuit of godliness, of holiness living, of right standing with God while at the same time tearing down and destroying others. It doesn’t suit God’s purposes. It doesn’t fit with what is godly. The underlying tone of hostility delivered in judgment doesn’t fit with God’s love. 1 Corinthians 16:14 tells us to “do all things in love”. Philippians 2:14 also says that we are to “do all things without grumbling and complaining. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 instructs us quite succinctly. It says that we are to “encourage one another”. Encouragement is clearly lacking with the execution of judgment. Passing judgment on others only causes division.
Love multiplies when divided.