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Judgmental Christians

2 December 2009 Hits:4674

Ever met a judgmental Christian?  You probably have, there are plenty around – people who are ready to point out something that is wrong in someone else’s life, making the person feel put down, excluded, and marginalized.  It baffles me as to why some people feel that they have a right to judge others when Jesus taught on several occasions “Do not judge” (Luke 6:37; Matthew 7:1).  It doesn’t get any clearer than that, does it?

Christians are to assess things according to the Word of God but we must never condemn people with the Word.  We need to express God’s truth without being judgmental and condemning.  We can feel strongly about something but we must never be arrogant or lacking in compassion.

Next time you’re tempted to be judgmental ask yourself:

• What is my reason for wanting to correct or judge?
• Is it for their benefit or to satisfy my pride and self-righteousness?
• Am I more focused on condemning people than helping them?
• Is love for them my motivating force?

“Love endures long and is patient and kind…it is not arrogant and inflated with pride; it is not rude…it is not self-seeking.  Love…is ever ready to believe the best of every person…” (1 Corinthians 13:4-6AMP)

And remember, Jesus doesn’t judge people.  He said, “I did not come to judge the world, but to save it” (John 12:47).  And so if we are like Jesus, we won’t judge people either: “Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.” (Romans 14:4)

The Bible asks a great question in James 4:12, “who are you to judge your neighbour?”  Nowhere are we told to judge our neighbour.  Quite the contrary, we are instructed to love our neighbour as we love ourselves.

God sees us as less than perfect and responds to us with grace and not judgment!  Should we do any less for others?

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