Session 7

What your silent judgment says about you

From 1 Corinthians: A 35-Day Devotional

There are many examples in our daily lives of ways we judge others. Maybe we have a conviction against alcohol, but we look down on other Christians who do not share our opinion. Or maybe we believe a certain worship style is preferable and look down on others who do things differently.

Too often, we place our personal preferences and convictions on the same playing field as the Bible, judging others when they don’t reach our expectations. We find ourselves asking why people do things differently than we do, even though their practices may not be sinful.  

When we condemn others, we are essentially saying that God’s judgment is not good enough.

God says we can leave the questioning up to Him. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 4:4,“…It is the Lord who judges.” When we condemn others, we are essentially saying that God’s judgment is not good enough and we can stand in His place.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of comparison and condemnation; both traps can cause us to think we are better than our fellow believers. When we think we are better than those around us, we are being arrogant. Arrogance is not God’s best for us and it stunts our spiritual growth.

So, when we have judgmental thoughts about others, we must remember what Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 4:5, “Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart…” We can leave the job of judging up to God.

Reflect:

• What’s one way you fall into the trap of judging others?
• In the future, how can you protect your mind from being judgmental?