Our Judge…is NOT Judge Judy
Psalm 75:7 but it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up one another.
Proverbs 31:9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.
Ecclesiastes 12:14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing whether good or evil.
Matthew 7:1-5 “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.”
Luke 6:37-38 “Judge not, and you will not be judged, condemn not, and you will not be condemned: forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
John 8:1-11 woman accused of adultery and presented to Jesus. (Where was her partner?)
Romans 2:1-3 Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly.
1 Corinthians 5:12-13 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge. God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”
James 2:13 For judgment is without mercy t one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
James 4: 11-12 Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?
Do you have traits you do not like about yourself? I certainly do. And I don’t like it—and although working on it with the Holy Spirit, I still find it jumps out, almost without thought or reason. This is a trait I certainly hope others are not spewing regarding me—it’s ugly name and action is called judgment. ‘Oh, that outfit makes her look so fat; oh, that is such a ridiculous color; who would wear something like that? Oh, that will make so and so stand out.’ Or it can go, ‘that sounded like a snotty thing to say; oh does that one ever say anything positive or kind; or she talks so unkindly to her husband and her kids.’ But in total honesty I have NO idea, not even a guess what is happening in another’s life—and therefore have NO reason to judge anything about them. My taste is mine; and others have different tastes—thank goodness—and those tastes fit them.
God does not wanting us to judge others or even ourselves. The Pharisees and Sadducees felt entitled to judge others. They were from the ‘chosen’ tribe of Levi which had been designated by God to lead the people in religious sacrifices, atonement, and honoring God. But their heads swelled with this ‘power’ God had bestowed and instead of leading the people to love and lead obedient lives, they dictated rules and laws to follow that God had not mandated. They felt entitled to think themselves “better” than others, in a position where they could judge and find fault—even sin—of others, while harming the very ones they were supposed to lead and love in a religious manner.
They became arrogant, they were sure they were purer and more righteous than all others. Then they set out more demands for the people to follow and adhere to. Many people tried hard to obey the dietary rules and the many other rules God had told Moses to give them.
My judgments are not always critical; and it is certainly an area of my life I am working to change. I don’t like being judgmental about others, and since I am also often self-critical, I criticize my own thoughts and behaviors often, then of course traipse down the yellow brick road of envy and comparing. Then, I will hear God say, “Hello, young lady, did I not make you, you? Distinctly and uniquely you? Yes, I did. And I do not make mistakes, I am the only Judge, so stop your nonsense. I am sure you can find other things to think about and ponder.”
“Yes, Lord. I am sorry. Again, I have messed up and gone against Your will. I have so much to be grateful for, and nothing to complain or be judgmental about. Please help me be better. I don’t want to judge anyone negatively—let me only have positive thoughts in my head and comment only on those—whether to build someone up or to encourage and support. Thank You, for Your mercy and grace with my thoughts. And thank You for the Holy Spirit who corrects me quicker than in the past.”
Thankfully, I have positive judgmental remarks running through my mind also. I admire outgoing and friendly people who seem to always have a smile and love emanating from them. When I see something positive–well behaved child, a cute outfit, a man wearing a shirt that is a perfect color for him, someone accomplishing a good job or whatever, I try to always let them know. Frequently, I have heard someone tell another how touched they were to hear a testimony or something and are passing on that compliment, and will try to tell the one complimenting how nice it was they took the time and effort to pass their thoughts on.
We are not and should not be in the business of judging. Ever? Well, no, not ever. Sometimes, we recognize someone is not living as they should be and claim they want to be to be pleasing to God. They may be drinking too much, doing illegal drugs, committing adultery, gossiping and slandering another….and we all know the list. Then, we should take the person and quietly point out what we see and the fact that it is sinful and hurtful. We care about another’s sinning, and the hurt they may be a part of committing a sin that most likely is caused by their selfishness and desire for immediate gratification. That is what most sins are—ways to hurt and disrespect others to satisfy our want and desire. That is why God set out the 10 Commandments for us, with the first three all being about loving Him and others, not hurting or coveting something belonging to another.
Although others may feel they are entitled to judge—NO ONE is given that responsibility and privilege except our Savior. I am not supposed to judge; I don’t have that unbiased gauge. I judge myself, and although I try to correct it when I find myself having judgmental thoughts toward others, I still find myself judging others’ behaviors or actions. I have NO qualifications to be a judge.
There are an abundance of shows with judges and court rooms on TV lately. A thousand or so years ago when Judge Judy first came to TV, I found her mostly fair, but then as the show took off, her public persona took to sarcasm and cutting, insulting remarks, and not truly judging each case on its merits. It was for show and glitz. She sounded snippy, impatient and biased. I am glad she is not my Judge.
Our Judge is NOT judge Judy. Thank You, God. You are our Creator, our Guide, and our Judge. Lord, I praise you for always caring for me and guiding my paths, correcting me repeatedly when I have messed up, and being patient each time I repeat mistakes. God, my Judge, my Savior, thank You for correcting me when I misstep and helping me to walk on the right paths. Thank You for all you have done for my and ‘mybellaviews’
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