“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment that you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:1-2 ESV

There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor? James 4:12 ESV

We are human and we tend to judge our fellow humans, usually fairly quickly. How many of us have looked at a total stranger and formed an opinion about them, from the way they are dressed or what they are doing? We’ve judged them before we’ve even met or talked with the person.

It brings to mind a story in the Old Testament. God tells Samuel to anoint a new king when Saul is rejected by God for his disobedience. God sends Samuel to Bethlehem to anoint one of the sons of Jesse as the next king. When Samuel sees the oldest son, Eliab, he says to himself, surely this is the Lord’s anointed. But the Lord tells Samuel, I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart. 1Samuel 16:7b All seven of the older brothers are rejected. David is brought in from tending the sheep and is anointed as God’s chosen. I imagine that caused some trouble in the family.

Our verse from Matthew is from the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus is teaching His disciples. This is His warning for all of us. And our second verse from James tells us there is only one judge and that is the LORD. It is not on any of us to “judge our neighbor” or anyone else. We cannot see a person’s heart or know their story or their past.

We will all meet people who we may not particularly like, or we don’t condone their behavior, or we don’t agree with their lifestyle, or … the list goes on. But we are not to judge them. We are to treat them with the kindness and love that the Lord has for them. We are to be His hands and feet in this world.

One last reminder for all of us, “do not judge” includes judging yourself. Sometimes we are our own harshest critics. Because we know our story, our hearts, our past, and our shortcomings, and we judge ourselves more harshly than others would. We judge ourselves unworthy.

But know that the Lord knows you, forgives you, guides you, and wraps you in His righteousness. He died for you and counts you worthy. Your name is written in His book of Life. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgement, but has passed from death to life. John 5:24

This week let’s all strive to be the hands and feet of Jesus and follow His teaching as we choose love and not judgement of others or ourselves!

I thank God for each of you! And I thank you for joining me this week as we choose to judge not.

Blessings and peace and life!