Judge not, that you be
not judged —Matthew 7:1
Jesus’ instructions with regard to
judging others is very simply put; He says, “Don’t.” The average
Christian is the most piercingly critical individual known. Criticism is one of
the ordinary activities of people, but in the spiritual realm nothing is
accomplished by it. The effect of criticism is the dividing up of the strengths
of the one being criticized. The Holy Spirit is the only one in the proper
position to criticize, and He alone is able to show what is wrong without
hurting and wounding. It is impossible to enter into fellowship with God when
you are in a critical mood. Criticism serves to make you harsh, vindictive, and
cruel, and leaves you with the soothing and flattering idea that you are
somehow superior to others. Jesus says that as His disciple you should
cultivate a temperament that is never critical. This will not happen quickly
but must be developed over a span of time. You must constantly beware of
anything that causes you to think of yourself as a superior person.
There is no escaping the penetrating
search of my life by Jesus. If I see the little speck in your eye, it means that I have a plank of
timber in my own (see Matthew 7:3-5).
Every wrong thing that I see in you, God finds in me. Every time I judge, I
condemn myself (see Romans
2:17-24). Stop having a measuring stick for other people. There is
always at least one more fact, which we know nothing about, in every person’s
situation. The first thing God does is to give us a thorough spiritual cleaning. After that, there is no possibility
of pride remaining in us. I have never met a person I could despair of, or lose
all hope for, after discerning what lies in me apart from the grace of God.
(Taken from Oswald Chambers – “My Utmost
for His Highest” June 17)