"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
(Matthew 7: 1-2, NIV)
If we all took these verses to heart, would we really be judging anyone? Would we want God to judge us in the same manner as we judge others? Oh, you may think you're not really "judging" others---you're just stating the negative facts about them! It's easy to take our standards and have others try and measure up to them. And, when they don't, we will criticize, or rather, judge them. Who made us judge and jury? Not God.
Growing up in a legalistic, religious environment caused me to have strict, set standards in which to go by as a young person. Instead of looking at others through the eyes of mercy and grace, we were taught the "do's and don't's" of a church denomination. As I became more independent, I broke away from a "religion" and began a relationship with Jesus Christ. As a result, I came to realize the judgmental spirit of which I had been exposed, and started to look at others the way Christ would have---through His eyes of love.
God has set the standards, according to his Word. There are commandments we must go by as being a follower of Jesus Christ. We can't just be free to do whatever we please. On matters where we don't have a clear answer, it is best just to say, "That's between you and God. Only He can be your judge."
Dear God, help me not to judge others. Give me the eyes to see through your love and grace. Allow me to have a merciful heart. Amen!
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