HOW TO CONQUER THE TEMPTATION TO JUDGE
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On a hillside commanding a view of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus presents His Sermon on the Mount. He is instructing His disciples and followers in kingdom living. The message is daunting. The ideals proposed seem impossible. Yet Jesus is introducing a new kingdom, the kingdom of God… where heaven meets earth… and the law of the land is love.
“Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For by the standard you judge you will be judged, and the measure you use will be the measure you receive.” – Matthew 7:1-2
Near the conclusion of His sermon, Jesus issues this warning. Do not judge. To “judge” here refers to a critical or condemning judgment of another person. Our Lord is denouncing such behavior. For a critical spirit violates God’s command of love. He is asking us to rise above our fleshly temptation to criticize others.
Only Jesus is the rightful Judge. Only He can judge fairly, balancing justice and mercy. He is our measuring rod. Without the perfect love and omniscience of Christ, we do not have the right to pass judgment upon others.
Jesus is expressing the idea that what you sow you will reap. Sow love and you will reap love. Sow judgment and you will reap judgment. In criticizing others, we are acting as judge… using ourselves as a measuring rod.
Our criticism will be futile. For we will be the ones judged. By issuing harsh, unfair criticism, we will come across as shallow, hypocritical. By passing along disparaging, hurtful criticism, we will appear spiteful, self-righteous. Even seemingly harmless criticism will make us look petty, insensitive, insecure.
One day, we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ (Romans 14:10). He will judge how closely we reflected His character… how carefully we followed in His footsteps… and how compassionate we were toward our fellow man.
“Why do you see the speck in your brother’s eye, but fail to see the beam of wood in your own? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye,’ while there is a beam in your own? You hypocrite! First remove the beam from your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” – Matthew 7:3-5
Jesus here issues a challenge to all believers. In this memorable word picture, He is asking us to address our own failings before pointing out the failings of others. For our visual acuity is often keen when examining another’s shortcomings while we are blind to our own. Yet our Lord sees. We are to seek to emulate His love, mercy and acceptance.
→ 5 Ways to Overcome a Critical Spirit:
“For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” – 1 Samuel 16:7
1. See others as Jesus sees them… made in the image of the Creator. For He loves all with an infinite love. He ransomed His life for all mankind. Love as He loves us. Accept others as He accepts us. Look for the best in others. Respect one another as unique creations of God. Treat others as Jesus treats us, with His heart of mercy.
“Every one of you who judges is without excuse. For when you judge another, you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the same things.” – Romans 2:1
2. Look closely, inwardly at your heart and life. Be mindful of your own faults. For we often criticize the very shortcomings in others that we exhibit ourselves. Judge yourself in all humility. Let the Holy Spirit guide you as you examine your underlying motives for a critical spirit – jealousy, hurt, disappointment, rejection, unforgiveness.
“It is amazing from what a mere fraction of a fact concerning him a man will dare judge the whole of another man.” – George MacDonald
3. Rise above hypocrisy. Resist spiritual pride. Turn away from self-righteousness. For criticizing is a way of exalting self at another’s expense… tearing others down to prop oneself up… claiming a higher moral ground. People often bond together against a common “enemy” to gain a sense of belonging. Yet this only leads to a breaking down of the unity of the Spirit to which our Lord calls us.
“God never gives us discernment in order that we may criticize, but that we may intercede.” – Oswald Chambers
4. Counter a critical spirit with empathy. Intercede in prayer on behalf of others. Any divine revelation the Lord gives us of someone is for this purpose. When critical, judgmental thoughts arise in your mind, lift the person in prayer to the One who perfectly understands. For it is difficult to criticize someone for whom you pray.
“For the kingdom of God is… righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit… let us pursue what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” – Romans 14:17, 19
5. Be like Jesus to your world… exhibiting humble kindness and merciful compassion. Be mindful of your words. Seek to build up rather than tear down. Bear with one another in love. Always aim for peace and harmony in the Spirit. Treat others with the grace our Lord so perfectly displays toward us. Emit His sweet aroma to the saved and unsaved alike. For everyone is inherently worthy and valued in God’s eyes.
