We all make judgments but do we judge? Every day we make judgments about people we meet or see. If you are driving down the street and see a person holding a sign asking for food or money, at that moment you make a judgment if you know it or not. We may think this is a scam or this person really need help, you are forming opinions of that person without people knowing or seeing facts.

A Judgement is not the same as judging someone. When we judge another we declare a verdict that has a consequence to their previous action. We see this in our court system where an individual or other entity is charged with a crime and the judge will hear all the witnesses and see all the evidence to make a judgment. The judge is given this authority by our society to make these judgments.

In the bible, God gave some people the position of Judge, but not every Christian is to judge people. God has given us the ability to make judgments (opinions) on the situation. Jesus said, “By this, all people will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another.” John 13:35. You are forming an opinion (judgment) of another person’s actions (love). Also in Matthew 7:16-20 ESV states “You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.” This judgment (opinions) is not declaring a consequence over a person. You are able to use these judgments (opinions) to make a good decision in who to allow influence in your life.

We see people being self-proclaimed judges by passing a verdict and consequence for other actions, like: “Those type of people should just be put to death” or “They should be put in jail”. these are verdicts and not opinion. There is a big difference between “they are a disciple” and “they should die”!we can see this in Romans chapter two.

Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things.

Romans‬ ‭2:1-2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Here we can see that man’s judgment is flawed and that God is the only one to judge and that God’s judgment is always righteous. Our judgment is flawed because we can not see correctly because of our own issues. Jesus states it like this.

Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure, you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but does not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 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.

Matthew 7:1-5 ESV

If we judge others in our limited abilities, we will be judge by God who knows the heart of man, even the hidden things. I have come to the realization that God has not called me to be a Judge in His kingdom, but to be a judge of my own heart and intents.

APPLICATION

• Began to judge your own heart and intentions
  • If you find a spec in your eye ask God to help you remove it.
  • If needed go to your mentor and confess your sin (spec)
• Stop looking for the spec in other people’s eyes
• Keep company with people with good fruit.