Judgement

Matthew 7:3, "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" (NIV)

Recently, a friend hurt me and others very deeply. I spent a lot of time praying right before it happened because I had a sense that something was going to happen. I think that helped prepare me so I had the right words to respond but that isn’t always the case, we don’t always get time right before something bad happens to prepare so we need to be prepared.

Although I had spent hours in prayer I still sinned in my response. I tend to take hurts that people have caused me and exaggerate it, “they’ve hurt me so bad, I don’t know when I’ll be able to forgive them”, or “They were definitely in the wrong and I am without wrong in this situation”. Right there, that thought was sin. I am not perfect and even though whatever this person did was hurtful I still have no right to judge their life.

I do believe with all my heart that there is a place for Christian accountability. I believe it is biblical and necessary. However, making judgmental remarks, rolling our eyes, belittling someone we don't personally know or we do, making hateful comments is neither biblical or necessary. God has really opened my eyes to this. I have tried with all my might not to discuss this topic because I didn’t want to be guilty of gossip but the sin is in my heart even if I don’t speak it so I wanted to share what God is teaching me.

If the actions and attitudes of another person hurt our heart and rub our soul the wrong way – be it a neighbor or a woman on the cover of a tabloid – I pray we handle it with the grace and dignity Jesus enables us to have. "And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment" (Phil. 1:9).

And may we always remember the person in question is loved by God. He may not love their actions and He most certainly doesn't love anyone's sin, but the person, He loves.

Psalm 139:23-24, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (NIV)

Proverbs12:18, "Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." (NIV)

Dear Lord, before I start picking at the splinters that are so easy to spot in other's eyes, may I have the humility to examine the plank I don't want to see in my own eye. Search me Lord, see if there is any wicked way within me and reveal it. Give me wisdom to know what to do about my own sin, a filter of grace by which to see others' sins, and a heart restrained from rash reactions because of Your love in me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.