This day in age it has become a norm to judge others. We have a plethora of television shows that are focused around this very subject. However, as a believer in Christ that is a practice that we should NOT participate in. Having a critical spirit can really get in the way of your own personal walk with Christ and also hinder the walk of other believers. It's sad that the church as a whole has a reputation of being judgmental because we are so engulfed in legalism that we miss the mark spiritually to reach others effectively.
The common denominator in a person who is judgmental or someone who possesses the critical spirit, is a lack of fulfillment. They feel that no one is ever good enough or meet their standards because in all actuality, they are unhappy and unfulfilled with themselves. In search of wanting to feel good about themselves, they put others down and scrutinize every detail about another persons flaws so much so that they lose focus of their own imperfections.
Matthew 7:1 states, "Judge not, that you be not judged" (ESV). This particular verse was Jesus' words to us. He instructed us not to judge. There is no gray area with this. We must rid ourselves of this habit and seek deliverance from this critical spirit that we allow to consume us.
Matthew 7:2 states, " For with the judgement you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you" (ESV). As a result of our judgement on others, we are only making things harder on ourselves when the day of Judgement takes place.
Romans 14:4 says, " Who are you to pass judgement on the servant of another? it is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand" (ESV). I love that it starts off saying "Who are you" as in what authority do you "think" that you have in order to point fingers at someone else.
Always do a self-check about your own flaws and weaknesses. If you'd put the energy that you put towards judging others and use it towards yourself you might find God using you to reach that person that you are really recognizing spiritual need in.
Remember, always be ready to be used by God. Talk less and pray more.
Charity R.
