Critic

6/17/2020

Matthew 7:1 “Judge not, that ye be not judged.”

I have been taking a break from social media recently. During this time of unrest (on so many levels) in our country, some social media platforms have become hateful, awful places of judgement. People have the right to free speech as part of the First Amendment, but we as believers need to hold ourselves to a higher standard. There is a fine line, I feel, between being convicted about a topic, and being judgmental of another person’s feelings on the subject. Conviction is something that is internal, and judgement is external. Just because we feel convicted by God in a certain area does not mean that we should feel the need to drag others there with us, or speak or think badly about them if they believe differently. It is just not something a child of God should do, ever. Chambers writes, “Jesus says regarding judgement—Don’t.” It is pretty clear. We are to act out of love and show mercy, always.

Judgement poisons the soul and pulls us away from God. Chambers says, “It is impossible to enter into communion with God when you are in a critical temper; it makes you hard and vindictive and cruel, and leaves you with the flattering unction that you are a superior person.” I would much rather be in communion with my God, and doing my best to love others, than stand in judgement. Just like anger, it is a destroyer.