Day 20 – The Judgmental Tongue
“Do not judge or you will be judged; for the same way you judge others, you will be judged.” Matt 7:1-2
Jesus had no tolerance for the Pharisees. They were skilled at judging others and they were miserable! They were always looking for something to nitpick and blame another for violating the Law or a man-made tradition. They criticized the disciples for not washing their hands and admonished Jesus for healing on the Sabbath. Here is Jesus’ response:
“You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. But if I do judge my decisions are right, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me.” John 8:15-16
Judgmental people criticize and find fault with other people’s behavior and actions. Most judgers judge people by their actions but the judgers judge themselves by their intentions. Until I read this, I never pondered this truth. How easy it is for me to “watch” someone and criticize him or her but find no fault in myself because “my heart” had good intentions though my actions didn’t show that to others! Lord, please forgive me.
People judge others based on their own beliefs and history. We may judge others based on rumors that have no basis in fact. Here is a wonderful quote from Benjamin Franklin, “I will speak ill of no man, not even in the matter of truth, but rather excuse the faults I hear, and, upon proper occasions, speak all the good I know of others.”
So we go back to my mom’s advice ‘if you can’t say anything nice don’t say anything at all.’ We must be mindful of how we speak of others and to others. We must not engage in speech that will inflame, tell half-truths nor build someone up in love.
In Matthew, God talks about judging others and He wonders why we choose to do that rather than look at ourselves. “Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the log in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘let me take the speck out of your eye’ the whole time with a log sticking out of your own? You hypocrite! First, take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” Matt 7:3-5
The better way is to look at ourselves and judge ourselves by God’s standard, His Word. If we do see others are walking without God or Christians walking contrary to His standards we ought to pray for that person. If the person is close to you and you care enough to confront them, do so in love and encouragement. And then pray!
This type of bondage is only broken by prayer and fasting-I am speaking of my bondage to being judgmental of others and also to myself! Lord, forgive me for my judgmental thoughts, speech and actions. Renew in me a right spirit Lord; give me power to put on the mind of Christ and to walk in the gospel of peace. Cleanse me of my insecurities and help my unbelief. Remind me of the power that lives and works in me—the Holy Spirit. Keep me focused on my own eye when comparing your Word and my life. In all other matters let me talk, walk, think and believe in love, grace and mercy. Let me fast in secret Lord, deny my flesh of comfort to focus on Your Word, Your Promises, Your Healing Power. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Your humbling servant, Sister Lisa
“Do not judge or you will be judged; for the same way you judge others, you will be judged.” Matt 7:1-2
Jesus had no tolerance for the Pharisees. They were skilled at judging others and they were miserable! They were always looking for something to nitpick and blame another for violating the Law or a man-made tradition. They criticized the disciples for not washing their hands and admonished Jesus for healing on the Sabbath. Here is Jesus’ response:
“You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. But if I do judge my decisions are right, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me.” John 8:15-16
Judgmental people criticize and find fault with other people’s behavior and actions. Most judgers judge people by their actions but the judgers judge themselves by their intentions. Until I read this, I never pondered this truth. How easy it is for me to “watch” someone and criticize him or her but find no fault in myself because “my heart” had good intentions though my actions didn’t show that to others! Lord, please forgive me.
People judge others based on their own beliefs and history. We may judge others based on rumors that have no basis in fact. Here is a wonderful quote from Benjamin Franklin, “I will speak ill of no man, not even in the matter of truth, but rather excuse the faults I hear, and, upon proper occasions, speak all the good I know of others.”
So we go back to my mom’s advice ‘if you can’t say anything nice don’t say anything at all.’ We must be mindful of how we speak of others and to others. We must not engage in speech that will inflame, tell half-truths nor build someone up in love.
In Matthew, God talks about judging others and He wonders why we choose to do that rather than look at ourselves. “Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the log in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘let me take the speck out of your eye’ the whole time with a log sticking out of your own? You hypocrite! First, take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” Matt 7:3-5
The better way is to look at ourselves and judge ourselves by God’s standard, His Word. If we do see others are walking without God or Christians walking contrary to His standards we ought to pray for that person. If the person is close to you and you care enough to confront them, do so in love and encouragement. And then pray!
This type of bondage is only broken by prayer and fasting-I am speaking of my bondage to being judgmental of others and also to myself! Lord, forgive me for my judgmental thoughts, speech and actions. Renew in me a right spirit Lord; give me power to put on the mind of Christ and to walk in the gospel of peace. Cleanse me of my insecurities and help my unbelief. Remind me of the power that lives and works in me—the Holy Spirit. Keep me focused on my own eye when comparing your Word and my life. In all other matters let me talk, walk, think and believe in love, grace and mercy. Let me fast in secret Lord, deny my flesh of comfort to focus on Your Word, Your Promises, Your Healing Power. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Your humbling servant, Sister Lisa
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