We all know that scripture, but we all tend to judge others to one degree or another anyway. Why is that?

We often judge people by their speech, such as vocabulary and slang. We judge them by how they dress; her skirt is too short, his pants are hanging down, he’s wearing high waters, someone that size shouldn’t be wearing that outfit, she looks like a criminal, etc.

How many of us have not looked at the websites of Wal-creatures, and made remarks? It is very hard not to judge others especially when so many people seem so contrary to the values and standards we hold.

We just judge people on a whole array of things, and most of the time we do it without giving it a thought; at least until after the fact.

The scriptures say that one day we will judge angels. (1 Corinthians 6:3 Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life?) How can God trust us to fairly judge angels if we can’t fairly judge other people?

God wants and expects us to judge actions and behaviors. We need to be making judgments on what’s right and wrong, and what’s proper and improper. We have a responsibility to judge someone’s behavior as to whether it’s right or wrong especially as it relates to us, but we do not have the right to judge that person. There is a difference.

We have no idea what some ones been through, or the things that led them to be the way they are. Only God knows those things, which is why only God has the right to judge another person.

I don’t know about any of you reading this, but in my youth I had a bad drug problem and lived a life very contrary to God. Although it took some serious hard knocks, God brought me thought it. He saw something in me worth redeeming, which is the part we don’t often see.

We see bad behavior and condemn the person and want nothing to do with them. Many Christians I have known will only hang out with other Christians. They wouldn’t think of tainting themselves by hanging out with sinners. Are we not all sinners?

Let me ask you, who did Jesus go to, and surround Himself with? Those who are well don’t need a doctor, but those who are sick.

If we spend our time judging and looking down on people, how can we help make a difference in their life? Not everyone is going to make it to your church or fellowship group, so we need to go to where people are. We cannot let our light shine if we hide it under the bushel of our churches.

My 22 year old daughter got quite a compliment the other day. She works at a place where there are a lot of, lets say, very worldly people with very salty language. A lady that works near my daughter turned to her and said, “you don’t swear, do you”? My daughter smiled and just said no, but I’m no one’s judge. The lady apologized for her language, and asked her to let her know if she ever offends her.

Now some people might have wanted to judge that lady, and give her a piece of their righteousness, but my daughter chose not to do that. By her actions she let that lady see a glimmer of light she’s not used to seeing in others. It’s a light that people can see when we let God’s light shine through. When you let your light shine in the darkness, people notice and it plants a seed.

Making judgments about what is right and good is something we should do. But judging people because we don’t agree with them or because they offend our sensibilities is wrong.

Instead of judging people, pray for them.

I know from experience that not judging others is not easy, because I regularly have to repent of it.

I’m just glad that I am becoming more and more aware of it, which puts me in a better position to work on that part of me.

What do you say we all try and do a little better at not judging others?