Daily Devotions
Passing Judgment
Reading for November 28th: Romans 14-16
Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another?
Romans 14:4
Let's imagine that we've taken our family on a picnic. Our kids get into a little verbal spat, and while we try to intervene a passing stranger with no knowledge of our children and limited knowledge of the context takes it on themselves to not only correct but to punish our children with us standing right there.
"How dare they do that to our kids?!"
We would be right to feel that way. Those are not their children. And even if they are correct in their assessment, they still do not have the right to make that kind of judgment.
When the Bible condemns judging it usually comes with some humbling reminders. Jesus' famous statement, "Judge not, that you be not judged," is tied to the truth that God is going to judge us with the same measure we use to judge others (Matthew 7:1-2).
James also warned of judging and added this sobering reminder for the sake of emphasis, "There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?" (James 4:12)
There are judgments we must make (Matthew 7:15-20), but even then we must proceed with caution. We must make sure we judge with righteous judgment and not according to appearance (John 7:24), and we must always check our motives. Are we trying to save or destroy? Are we seeking to protect God's will and God's honor, or is our desire to simply serve self or exalt self?
Father God, forgive us for the selfish, prideful judgments we make. Give us a loving and merciful heart, and help us remember who we are before we ever make a judgment of one of your servants.
