Beware of Criticizing Others
Judge not, that you be not judged —Matthew 7:1

Jesus’ instructions with regard to judging others is very simply put; He says, “Don’t.” The average Christian is the most piercingly critical individual known. Criticism is one of the ordinary activities of people, but in the spiritual realm nothing is accomplished by it. The effect of criticism is the dividing up of the strengths of the one being criticized. The Holy Spirit is the only one in the proper position to criticize, and He alone is able to show what is wrong without hurting and wounding. It is impossible to enter into fellowship with God when you are in a critical mood. Criticism serves to make you harsh, vindictive, and cruel, and leaves you with the soothing and flattering idea that you are somehow superior to others. Jesus says that as His disciple you should cultivate a temperament that is never critical. This will not happen quickly but must be developed over a span of time. You must constantly beware of anything that causes you to think of yourself as a superior person.

There is no escaping the penetrating search of my life by Jesus. If I see the little speck in your eye, it means that I have a plank of timber in my own (see Matthew 7:3-5). Every wrong thing that I see in you, God finds in me. Every time I judge, I condemn myself (see Romans 2:17-24). Stop having a measuring stick for other people. There is always at least one more fact, which we know nothing about, in every person’s situation. The first thing God does is to give us a thorough spiritual cleaning. After that, there is no possibility of pride remaining in us. I have never met a person I could despair of, or lose all hope for, after discerning what lies in me apart from the grace of God.

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Journal DJR
Good morning Lord,
Help me remember and live from the words of today’s song this day and every day…. just a fallen man living in the Land of Mercy. It’s pretty easy to live there when I get a clear look at “what lies in me apart from the grace of God.” But as my mind drifts back into daily affairs, it is easy to judge other cultures, other people, etc. When I have the clear view that without you… I’m a wreck, … it’s not difficult to be non judgmental. When I move away from that consciousness, the ability to judge and criticize quickly resurrects itself.

I had my people build Altars and Monuments in the Old Testament. One of the purposes was to help them remember. The need to remember the things you see in those moments of clarity is still there. Songs can serve the same purpose. As you sing the words they can remind you. But be cautious to not just sing the words in a rote fashion. Let them penetrate and let me sing between the lines and beyond the lines … then they will be especially for you. Keep on remembering your need for grace and keep on giving out grace to others. Dont worry I have an inexhaustible supply.

Have you noticed that the world, the economy, the culture, politics and your whole society is built on evaluating and judging what is of value and what is cool … and what it not? If you spend your whole life in that world, you will find those ways of evaluating and judging easy to adopt. So come away with me. As we spend time, your mind and heart and world view will be re-calibrated … to match my mind and heart and world view. The view is better from here. Come on up. Come away. Often.

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