New column 1st Tuesday of each month.
Dear Pam,
What does the Bible say about judging others?
--Annon
Dear Annon,
Whenever I think about judging others, I go to the familiar scripture in Matthew 7 where it says, “Don’t judge other people, or you will be judged.” I believe that verse is often taken out of context, because the verses after that one, tells me that I will be judged in the same way that I judge others, and the amount I give to others will be given to me.
Basically, it’s all about attitude, about how we look at others.
Jesus has taught me that I should love God with all my heart, soul, strength, and mind; and that I should love my neighbor as myself. The example of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10 helps me understand what being a good neighbor is all about, and about judging someone who is different.
Jews and Samaritans were not the best of friends when this story was penned and both made claims to being true descendants of the nation of Israel. Samaritans descended from the northern kingdom of Israel while the Jews descended from the southern kingdom of Judah. Each thought their views were correct.
Also in Matthew 7, it asks, “Why do you notice the little piece of dust in your friend’s eye, but you don’t notice the big piece of wood in your own eye?”
Christ fixes, fills, and frees us to be all we should be in Him, but sometimes I forget the grace Jesus has shown me. I forget what He saved me from, how He brought me to the brook of His living water. I should be a doer of the Word, not only a hearer. I should compare how Jesus would react, and do just that. Still though it’s easier to jump to negative conclusions about people.
H.A. Ironside in his book “Bible Truth” pointed out the time he was sailing from Europe on an ocean liner. He went to the purser’s desk and inquired if he could leave his gold watch and other valuables, because he had met the man who was to occupy the room with him. He was afraid that he might not be a very trustworthy person.
The purser accepted the responsibility for the valuables and remarked, “It’s all right. I’ll be glad to take care of them. And your roommate, well, he left his valuables for the very same reason.”
Ever been there? Judged someone without knowing all the facts? I have.
Now, the Bible has plenty of verses about having righteous judgment, like John 7: 24, "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge with a righteous judgment."
We are to judge by God’s Word and its principles, but always peppered with love. In our Good Samaritan story, some robbers attacked this man and although the Bible doesn’t say that he was a Jewish man, that is assumed.
His clothes were taken; he was beaten, and left for dead.
A Jewish priest walked by, moved to the other side of the road, and walked on. Next, a Levite walked by, but after he looked, he went away too.
Then a Samaritan traveling down the road came to the hurt man, felt sorry for him, and poured olive oil and wine on his wounds. He bandaged them, put the hurt man on his own donkey, and took him to an inn where he cared for him. The next day, the Samaritan gave the innkeeper some money, and said, “Take care of this man.”
I love that picture. Jesus showed me the same mercy, when He accepted me into the family of God, and that extension of love is available to everyone. We tend to forget that – especially whenever we start, playing judge and jury.
In the song by Sawyer Brown “They Don’t Understand” it says, “Everybody's busy with their own situation, everybody's lost in their own little world bottled up, hurried up, trying to make a dream come true, they don't understand.
br>
Everybody's livin' like there ain't no tomorrow, maybe we should stop and take a little time, cause you never really know what your neighbor's going through, they don't understand.”
If web take the time to show our neighbor mercy, then maybe we will understand what he or she is going through. Either way, it is simple -- and the right thing to do.
Jesus did it for you – and for me, so let’s pass His love on to someone else today.
God's Blessings,
Have a question you want answered? Email Us
Know when this column is updated and...
Get more articles like this in your inbox. Subscribe Today
Share this Christian column with a friend.
Don't forget to Bookmark Us.
About The Author:
Pam Kumpe writes a weekly inspirational newspaper column for the Bowie County Life/Texarkana Gazette in East Texas and also
works as a correspondent writer/photographer. She hosts a podcast "Daybreak Devotionals," a series on the women of the
Bible, teaches Kids Super Church, has two grown sons and is married to Ray, a professional photographer. For more about Pam
go to www.pamkumpe.blogspot.com.
* Information provided in this column is for entertainment purposes only.
The information in this column is not meant to be taken as legal, medical, or professional advice. Read legal disclaimer.
* This column is available for your publication, for a F-E-E.
This column may NOT be reprinted without monetary compensation and written permission from the author.
For reprint rights or comments/questions about this article, please contact the author.
|
