What Jesus said about ... judging others.
Do not judge others, so that God will not judge you, for God will judge you in the same way as you judge others, and He will apply to you the same rules you apply to others. Matthew 7: 1-2
Let's be honest now, we all judge others. Even if we do it silently in our mind and say nothing; we are still judging others and probably jumping to the wrong conclusions. We are all prejudiced no matter how hard we deny it. We are prejudiced against peoples' looks, clothing, backgrounds, religion, race, education, tattoos, age, and so many other reasons why we don't like some people who do not fit the "perfect" image of what we have in mind or expect of them.
Let me tell you a story. I once visited an old lady at home who was not well. She was expecting the doctor to call at home. When I opened the door there stood a young man of about thirty in T shirt and blue jeans. So I put my judge's wig/hat on and thought, "What the **** This guy is so young he is hardly out of diapers. What does he know about medicine aside from soothing his teething problems? And he's in jeans and T shirt; very modern I must say!" I said nothing and showed him in to his patient.
A week later I took her to the doctor's surgery. I learnt that he was a new doctor at the practice, and on that day he was on leave and had been phoned at home to attend at the lady's house urgently, because her doctor had been detained with another patient.
I noticed he was wearing a suit. Also, he had aged by a week. So you see, I am not prejudiced or judgemental at all.
Are you?
NOTE: This post is part of a series of articles entitled "What Jesus said about ..." If you click the label "What Jesus said" at the end of the article you'll be able to access all the articles.
ReplyDeleteIf there are any topics you would like discussed in this series please write to me by clicking the "Contact us" tab at the top right of this page.
...judging others has become a popular sport here in the US!
ReplyDeleteWe all judge, (subconsciously)
DeleteGod bless, Tom.
Stopping by to wish you a Happy and peaceful Sunday.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
You're very kind, Jan; thank you. Have a grand rest of the day and a good week ahead. God bless you always.
DeleteGosh, but this one hits close to home! I'm reminded of something my parents used to tell me -- "Just because everyone else is doing it doesn't make it right."
ReplyDeleteOh, and something else! Years ago while in the ER, my former husband inadvertently offended his youthful looking physician: "I want to see a real doctor, not an intern!"
I guess that's what I thought when I saw that young doctor at the door. He was in his late 20s I guess. We're all judgemental in one way or another; some are plain mental.
DeleteGod bless you, Mevely.
A wise reminder!
ReplyDeleteI once heard a story about an infamous gunslinger of the American old west, John Dillinger. He tried to come to church as a youngster but was turned away because of his shabby clothes. Oh, what could have been.
How sad. I wonder what Jesus thought.
DeleteGod bless, Sandi.
That is wrong to judge but it's unfortunate that we all do it.
ReplyDeleteWe do it subconsciously. I think it is a reflex action to protect ourselves.
DeleteGod bless, Bill.
??? So if evil is staring you in the face you shouldn't judge? If someone is deliberately hurting someone else?
ReplyDeleteNo ... as I mentioned to Bill (above) judging is a reflex natural action on our part. However, we should be aware as to whether it is prejudiced judging or genuine legitimate judging.
DeleteGod bless, CM.
Great story and a great reminder to us all NOT to judge others, Victor. Yes, we all do it, but it is not our place. Blessings always!
ReplyDeleteAmen Martha. Judgement can be wrong, or it can be acceptable depending on circumstances.
DeleteGod bless.
According to scientists, the amount of time it takes us to judge someone by their looks is less than one second, so it happens fast enough we cannot control it. I think it's because when there were dangerous animals roaming places where people lived, they had to have such split-second judgment to know if a situation was safe.
ReplyDeleteWhat needs to happen now is we must grab that judgment, consciously, as soon as it happens and set it aside on purpose, and start using our hearts and minds, not our instinct for survival. If we choose to do so, we are much better able to get along with people and not be so hasty about labeling them.
You are right Mimi that judgement is instinctive as part of our nature. We should learn to analyse why we're judging others and whether our judgement is warranted or not.
DeleteGod bless you.
Every one has his own story and we don't know what they went through or are going through. If we knew what it was we might not be so quick to judge!!
ReplyDeleteIndeed, some people are carrying loads of hurts in their hearts.
DeleteGod bless, K.
Well worded my friend, but you do paint with a broad brush, I DO NOT JUDGE!!! However I do evaluate on a scale. LOL But yes I do try, but still I do find myself 'jumping to conclusions! like your doctor in diapers!
ReplyDeleteThe best from this side
Me too, Jack. I HAVE NOT JUDGED since I met that doctor; apart from some of my wife's cooking !!! Me too, I jump at her meals ... not to conclusions !!!
DeleteKeep smiling and God bless you and Sherry.
I have to say this one I am guilty of and really have to work on.
ReplyDeleteYou're in good company, Sandie. We're all guilty of judging.
DeleteGod bless you always.
Guilty, as charged.
ReplyDeleteWe all are, Barbara.
DeleteGod bless.