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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June 17 2015

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Lord, this was really a good lesson for David and me today. We examined our motives for criticism and judgement; essentially wanting our own way or deciding that our own ways are superior to others’ ways.  Or we decide that we can interpret Your will or Your scriptures so that we are equipped and morally or spiritually correct in judging another. But once again You reached out and taught us that our ways are not Your ways. And that even our attempts to be “Christ like” cannot work for us. We are simply to be surrendered and connected to You and allow You to engage others through us. Jesus gave us but two commandments; love You with all our heart, mind and soul; and to love our brothers as ourselves.

And God says…”The human condition includes the need to be right, feel right, seek things that feel good, to be in control, and one of the ways humans seek control is to judge others. The church has a sordid history in this area, as do the humans that make up the church. As you try to understand the inquisition, indulgences, the Crusades, and banishments; where are the two commandments I gave you in those actions? All humans have the need to feel better about themselves and their own behavior, so you often prefer comparisons and judgments of others to surrender of your will and notions of right and wrong to Me. Do you criticize your pastor because he or she does not preach or comfort like you think they should? How to you view and speak about those in your church that do not enjoy the freedoms that I have given you? Acknowledge Me in all your ways, and do not rely on your own understanding or interpretations and I will make your paths straight.  Surrender your will, inclinations, judgements….Yourself to Me, and then live a connected and abundant life.”