Some people who watch life from the sidelines 


rather than actively participate in it... have no 


concept of victory or defeat. Some people 


passively observe, but never participate in life; yet, 


they can be extremely judgmental, relentlessly 


critical, and condescending of other people's failures


 and/or shortcomings who strive for higher ideals.



 Some bystanders are quick to point out how another


 who has dared greatly stumbles and falls short, and 


how the person actively walking in their calling...


could have done better. Spectators are always ready 


to make a detailed list of other people's flaws and 


failures.


We must always resist the temptation to believe


 that we must or should measure up and be perfect.


Not  in this life.


Nothing in the Scriptures teaches us to expect


 such behavior from ourselves or others.


Nobody gets through life without making 


mistakes or doing something they're 


embarrassed about. We all look great in 


some areas but fall short in others. None 


of us are perfect... we all have flaws.



Some will criticize and judge in order to 


project things about themselves that they 


don't like on others.



The harsh, hyper-critical, demeaning, 


and sometimes relentless judgmental 


observers in life who gain nothing by 


criticizing the flaws of others can indeed 


challenge and improve us if we keep our 


emotions in check, decide what applies, 


learn from it, and let the rest go.



We can't control others, but we can benefit


 from putting in more effort to improve 


ourselves and letting harsh criticism roll


 off our backs like water off a duck's back.



When it comes to criticism and judgment,


 let us keep an open mind. May we realize 


that every situation can be an opportunity


 to learn and grow.



Jesus is calling us to not condemn people, to not pass 


final judgment and declare one unredeemable and 


guilty. It is incredibly important that we understand 


the context in which Jesus was speaking.


Jesus' command not to judge others may be


 the most widely quoted of His remarks, despite


 the fact that it is almost always quoted out of 


context. 


"Do not judge, or you will also 


be judged," 


Jesus said (Matthew 7:1). 



Many people use this quotation to silence their


 critics, completely misunderstanding Jesus'


 meaning to just be... 


"You don't have the right to 


tell me I'm wrong." 



In setting apart, Jesus' command to 


"Do not judge" 


appears to preclude all negative assessments. 


However, the passage is so much more than 


shutting down negative assessments.

The Bible’s command that we not judge others does not 


mean we cannot show discernment.


Jesus is giving us permission to tell right from wrong.



When Jesus said not to judge others, He did not mean that 


no one can identify sin for what it is, based on God’s 


definition of sin.



The Bible’s command that we not judge others does not 


mean Jesus was saying, “Anything goes.”



Jesus gives a direct command to “Stop judging by mere 


appearances, but instead judge correctly.”

God gives us discernment to help us make sense 


of things. In some cases, discernment is a spiritual 


gift (1 Corinthians 12:10) that some people possess.


It is also a skill that can be honed (Hebrews 5:14).



Some people will use incorrect theological language


 to support their approach to saintliness and go off


 the rails, dragging unsuspecting people along with


them.



If someone is speaking, claiming to be hearing from


God, and by all accounts many people find their 


message helpful, but intermingled in their teachings


 are tainted doctrinal errors, completely confusing,


 and a complete misrepresentation of the truth, that 


person is speaking in vain. 



When things don't seem clear, the bible is always 


a good place to start for discernment. It serves as 


the foundation for sound theology, shielding


 us from error and unorthodox opinions grounded


and/or articulated in helpful terms.


One of the more subtle gifts is discernment. 


Those who have it rarely speak up unless they


 feel safe doing so. Use the discernment God has 


given them with courage. They may believe that 


they are the only one who sees things the way you 


do.


 The pleasant aroma of clarity, however, can 


eliminate the clouds of confusion by sharing your 


insight.


The Bible's command not to judge others


 does not disqualify us from exercising 


discernment. "Do not give dogs what is sacred;


 do not throw your pearls to pigs," Jesus says 


immediately after saying, 


"Do not judge." 


Matthew 7:6


"Watch out for false prophets... By their fruit 


you will recognize them," He says later in the


 same sermon (verses 15-16). How can we tell 


who the "dogs," "pigs," and "false prophets" are 


unless we have the ability to make a judgment


 call on doctrines and actions? 


Jesus is essentially giving us permission to


 distinguish between right and wrong.


None of us enjoys harsh criticism, opinions, 


or hasty conclusions about ourselves that have


 not been thoroughly considered.



It's human nature to enjoy being right, but the 


truth is... we all need to be corrected from time


 to time.



Although we are naturally drawn to people who


 share our values, those who are open and honest 


with us, even if they disagree with us, can truly


 help us grow.



Those who genuinely care about us and want 


what is best for us will have the courage to point


 out our mistakes, unpleasant behavior, weaknesses, 


and flaws.



When we receive criticism, our goal should be 


to learn from it rather than to let our emotions


 close our minds. When we strive for excellence,


the little things matter. The key is to be proactive, 


not reactive.

Most people's automatic response and unconscious


 bias is to judge and criticize others. It explains


 why we do not perceive ourselves as being 


negative or harshly critical of others, despite the 


fact that we are. Our egos help protect us from 


our own sensitivities.



Let us be mindful of our own words, attitudes,


 and behaviors. Consider this idea seriously if 


we truly believe that judging and criticizing 


others is something we do not want to be 


known for.



Rather than criticizing others because they are 


different from us, we may be criticizing them


 because they are often, in many ways, very


 similar to us.

Pride and arrogance zealously brings attention to


another person’s shortcomings, while remaining 


forgetful to its own.

“When we judge or criticize another person, it says 


nothing about that person; it merely says something about 


our own need to be critical.” – Unknown


There are times when we should not listen to 


criticism, such as when it is based on falsehood


 or delivered in a way that is intended to destroy 


our sense of self-worth. 



We encourage people to deliver critiques


 in a way that is constructive and helpful.

Passing judgment on someone 


based solely on appearances is sinful.

Let us make sure we know every 


situation fully before making a 


judgment.

Easily seen are the faults of others, but in far too many 


instances it is difficult to see our own. Scripture cautions 


us not to be harsh and judgmental of the faults of others,


even where they are evident, because neither are we 


perfect and free from error.


There are two types of people in the world: 


destroyers and builders.


While offering nothing better, destroyers criticize, 


vilify, slander, belittle, and discredit the works and


 lives of others.



Builders contribute to... and improve the quality


of life for others.

Every person is a combination of wonderful virtues and 


plenty of flaws.

Superficial, unrighteous judgment 


is wrong!

Men may escape human justice, but they will 


never be able to escape God's divine justice. 



We cannot flee from God's 


all seeing eye


nor can we experience


anything...



 that God is unaware of.



There is nothing beyond God's comprehension.


God is everywhere, and God knows everything.


Every detail about each 


of us is completely known...



and is on full display 


before God.


Before God, our thoughts, words,


secret sins, and deeds are all open


books. There is nothing


 about us that God is unaware of.



God knows so much about us that there is 


nothing we can do or imagine that God isn't 


already aware of.



God knows everything and sees everything in 


our past, present, and future.



There is no place in the universe where we 


could be without God's presence.



Our just and righteous Judge is God.


God does not favor anyone.



It doesn't matter who we are or where we 


came from... God sees beneath the surface, 


and God's Judgment is always perfectly just!

Every case is presented naked and open to God. God requires no witnesses or a jury because He has personally witnessed every crime and secret sin ever committed.

God is aware of all facts. God never falsifies a person's case!

We can be certain that God's judgment is always based on absolute truth.

 

The ground is level at the foot of the cross.

God will judge everyone fairly for sinning against the light that they were given.

God's judgment is applicable to everyone, regardless of age, circumstance, or station in life. The rule does not have any exceptions.



 

 carolecgood@carolecgood.com

                                                                                                                                      

 

  www.carolecgood.com

  

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