Judging Others

There are many things that have been bothering me of late, and one of them is how we all walk in sin, yet we have the nerve to point the finger at others, judging their walk. The spirit of self-righteousness is alive and well in many of our brothers and sisters...sadly...

I am not immune to it either (don't get me wrong), but I have realized how very rampant this sin is and how very subtly it can infiltrate the hearts and minds of Christians. I am convinced that many of these "finger-pointers" are convinced themselves that they are doing a good thing by passing judgement, though, most of them are just control freaks that have issues...oh wait...am I passing judgement? Hmmm...How subtle it is...or not.

The Bible talks about judging quite often for example:

1 Corinthians 4:5
Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.
 
May the LORD judge between you and me. And may the LORD avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you.~1 Samuel 24:12
 
James 4:10-12
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbour?

And there is one reminder that we really need to absorb: it is that our walk with Jesus is with Jesus. Like it has been mentioned, He is the One that will/and does assess our heart intentions, and it is He that will judge. We do not know the truth in our own hearts, let alone the hearts of others, and we cannot see the bigger picture - the complete picture, how the decisions each person makes affects another. It is frustrating, confusing, and quite plainly, oftentimes, a mystery. But we trust God to work all things together for good...for His purpose and ultimately our benefit.

So, next time you are frowning on the inside about what you see and/or hear, take it to God in prayer before you start pointing the finger. It could be that your prayer, between you and God, is exactly what is most needed and most beneficial for all involved.