On Not Judging

Monday, February 18, 2013

Daniel 9:4-10 | Psalm 79 | Luke 6:36-38

TOO BUSY TO JUDGE?

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Pardon, and you shall be pardoned. Give, and it shall be given to you.” - Luke 6:37-38

The Lord commands us not to judge or condemn others. However, we should recognize sins and do our best to encourage the person to live a life that will honor God, and His Law. Then we should leave the judging and sentencing up to God.

For example, if you know a person is committing some particular sin, you should love the sinner enough to talk to them about changing their ways (see Ezekiel 3:17; 33:7). If this doesn’t help free the person, you should encourage them to talk to someone with more experience. Hopefully, this will keep them from further sinful, self-destructive acts. Then you should leave it in God’s hands. He alone is the Judge and the One with the authority to sentence unrepentant sinners.

We are called to warn, intercede for, teach, prophesy to, and serve sinners, we are to call them to repent and after have done the same (Luke 6:42). We are ministers of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18). Of course this is often a thankless. Yet our love will not be worth very much if we stand idly by as a friend falls into adultery, or our children into drug or alcohol abuse.

Not judging or condemning does not mean doing nothing, being passive, or being permissive. It means actively contending for the truth, and for personal holiness. God save us from judgmentalism, but may He also save us from being so accommodating that we fail to speak out on behalf of what we know to be right.

Prayer: Jesus, guard my lips, then guide me to speak for You.