No matter how you’ve arrived to this blog, I can say one thing that is probably true: you’ve made some sort of judgement about this website, this blog, or perhaps even me. Humans are very interesting because we are so prone to making judgements about others. It’s almost instinctive. Sometimes it helps us to determine whether something is safe (or dangerous), fun (or boring), good (or bad), other times we make judgements that are directed to be harmful towards others or even to make ourselves look better.
We are so good at making judgements that it comes with ease. We can look a person up and down and ‘determine’ what kind of person they are (whatever that means). I want to challenge you, myself, and everyone else. I want us to stop judging others. Now I’m sure you’re wondering how can we possibly do that when it comes with such ease. The response that God has shown me in my heart and in the bible is that instead of judging others, we must judge ourselves. I’m not saying that we should put ourselves down or stand in front of the mirror listing off everything we don’t like. In fact, I talk about how that is a bad thing here. What I am saying is that we first must perfect ourselves under the eyes of our Lord (because He holds the same standards for everyone) before we can possibly think about helping others. Jesus says “Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye.’ When you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother’s eye” Luke 6:42. He is telling us that we cannot possibly think that we can point out another’s sin and help guide them to what is good when we cannot even see the massive sins we ourselves have. If we have sin in our eyes, making us blind to what is good, how can we see clearly to remove sin from others? To say that someone we know needs to stop sinning while we ourselves continue to focus on everyone but us, makes us hypocrites. First we must improve ourselves before we can enlighten others. Jesus says “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch?” Luke 6:39 Consider opening your eyes. Every time you find yourself judging someone else, refocus to judge yourself. What is the plank in your eye that is making you judge others? Where might you need improvement? If you keep doing this, your instincts will shift. Instead of judging others you will work on perfecting yourself. Once your eyes are open, you will be able to lead others with a warm heart and good intentions!
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There's a battle going on inside us. I have chosen, after much consideration, to spend my life fighting for God in a sinful and God-hating world. This blog tells that story.
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