Read:
James 4:11-12
In the last
devotional we looked at two ways to avoid interpersonal conflict. Today we are going to look at a final
way. To resolve conflicts we must stop
judging others (v. 11-12). The root of judgmental
words is pride – thinking that we are better than others. There has been a lot of confusion in the
church about judging others, mainly from the misinterpretation of the verse, “Judge not lest you be judged” (Matt.
7:1), so we will start by clarifying a few things.
First, it is
not judging someone to be discerning with regard to his/her character. Second, it is not judging someone to challenge
someone about sin in his/her life. The
aim of confronting sin should always be restorative, protecting the church from
sin and honoring God. Yet these things can be done with a wrong motive, which
would then be judgmental. Motive is
everything!
Judging
others is when we criticize someone out of jealousy, bitterness, selfish
ambition, etc. We must look at our motives for saying what we say to people and
about people. Are you sharing it to make
yourself look good or to put the person in a bad light? Do you think you are better than they
are? Are you subconsciously elevating
yourself with your attitudes or are you truly seeking what’s best for the other
person?
Second, it
is wrong to judge others according to your own personal convictions. This is what the Pharisee’s did. We often judge people according to our own
personal preference and not according to God’s Word. This can be true in the area of dress,
entertainment, how money is spent, hobbies, food/drink, diet/exercise,
parenting, etc.
Third, we
judge people wrongly when we act self-righteously without dealing with our own
sin. It is easy to think that we know everything
about how someone else should be living their lives. This reeks of pride. Some even go as far as thinking that they
know someone’s eternal destiny. It is
true that we can “know them by their
fruits” (Matt. 7:16) but only God knows the heart. There is only one Lawgiver and Judges (v. 12)
and only He can tell someone they are going to hell!
Prayer and Journaling
1. Thank
the Lord for being a righteous Judge.
All His judgments are true!
2. Ask
the Lord to speak to you about a time when you judged someone wrongly. Confess this as sin, then ask the Lord to
show you the truth about this situation.
Thank Him for what He shows you.
3. Pray
that you would grow in selflessness and humility so that you would make good
judgments. Pray that you would learn to
discern wisely and know when to confront in love.
