I have been thinking a lot about judging people these past few days. There has been much in the news lately about crime and trials and it seems that people always have an opinion and make judgment.
Many times they don’t have a clear stance and seem to waiver this way and that way with no solid foundation for their beliefs and thoughts. So I thought this week we could discuss a few things as to what I've read and my own heart on the matter.
If I see a rose and I say, “Look a rose.” I am not judging the rose; it IS a rose. If someone points me out in a crowd and says, “Look a birthmom!” I am not offended. I AM a birthmother. However if that person stands back and says I got this title in a negative way as did every other birthmother and then begins to call me names, THAT is judging.
The Bible has a lot to say on judging. Here are a few of my favorite verses on the subject:
"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. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye." Matthew 7:1-5 ESV
“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven." Luke 6:37 ESV
"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 falls on those who practice such things. Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God?" Romans 2:1-3 ESV
“Judge not lest you be judged” means if you can't stand up and let someone judge you to this then don't say it. I am confident other people cannot call me an adulterer and I have the confidence that if I saw someone committing this act, I would stand up to them and point it out and then lovingly show them a way out of that lifestyle. It's standing up for what I believe in and many others may feel differently but that’s ok. I respect anyone who disagrees with me and I have hope and love that they will come around.
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I agree...people are too judgmental. Especially towards birthmoms. Even the supposedly faithful don't seem often enough to follow Jesus' practices and words of wisdom...You can disagree with someone else's lifestyle or choices (such as choosing abortion over adoption or knowing someone is committing adultery...)The first key to possibly helping them is not to JUDGE them! You don't know their circumstances...you haven't walked even a step, much less a mile, in their shoes. You should love someone through a hard time, even if you disagree with their choices....and if you wish to lead them into what you consider a better way to live or a better choice, they are much more likely to listen to you if you are loving and nonjudgmental towards them. I speak from experience, having both BEEN judged, and realizing that once upon a time I too had become a judger of certain people.
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