Stop Judging
With all these gossip and celebrity blogs it makes it nearly impossible not to judge other people. People’s lives are put on full display for common spectators to judge, criticize, and analyze. And many of us are quick to give our two cents. We are quick to put our mouths on people’s situations, but when it comes to our own lives we seem to take a blind eye. We can tell so and so what they need to do in their situation, but our lives are in complete chaos.
Romans 2:1 says, “You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things.” Many of us commit the same exact sins we judge others on. We can judge people all day along. but the minute someone judges us we are quick to become offensive. No one likes to be judged. We all commit sins. We all make mistakes. We all fall short of the glory. Who are we are to put our mouths on the next person’s mishaps? Today I encourage you to stop judging people. You have no right or authority to judge anyone. As my mother always tells me sweep around your own front door before you try to sweep around mine. And if you see someone caught up in sin, instead of judging them pray for them.
Mercy Over Judgment
We should not judge people without showing them mercy. We want God to give us mercy, yet we deny our fellow Christian brothers and sisters mercy. Instead of judging people when they are caught up in sin, Galatians 6:1 tells us “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently.” The key word in that scripture is “gently”. In other words, not harshly or mean. The person that is caught up in sin knows what they are doing is a sin. They know it is wrong. So why keep throwing the obvious in their face? Instead, how about showing them some love and talk about how Jesus can restore, deliver and most importantly, forgive them. In Romans 2:4, Paul says, “Don't you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can't you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?”
God doesn’t want us to be mean, overbearing or harsh towards people dealing with sin. He wants us to be loving, kind and patient. He wants us to remember how patient and kind He was with us while we sinned, before we came into repentance and received redemption. So the next time someone is caught up in sin, instead of condemning them tell them what Paul said, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.” Tell them about God’s mercy, His grace and most importantly, His love.
Be Careful
As Christians we should always be ready to encourage, uplift, and help restore our brothers and sisters who have fallen into sin or temptation. But we have to be careful. Galatians 6:1 says, "Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself." When a person is struggling with a certain sin you have to remember they are under the influence of evil and demonic spirits. So that's why the scripture says be careful because those spirits will try to attack you because you are trying to help and bring deliverance to them.
Never think that you are so spiritually strong that you cannot get caught up in the same sin or temptation that the person you are ministering to has fallen into. When a person is overcome by sin, they are weak and vulnerable. Sometimes instead of heeding your spiritual words of encouragement, they will try to persuade you to sin with them. That's why the Word says, "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." Nobody is exempt from temptation. So always be careful when ministering to people who are caught up in sin. Pray for them and pray for yourself too. 2 Peter 3:17 says, "I am warning you ahead of time, dear friends. Be on guard so that you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing."
