I was driving our dog to the vet the other day for a bandage change. (She had surgery to repair some damage sustained last Saturday during a run-in with a car. Thankfully she will be fine!) As I was driving through a particularly winding country road that was very narrow and had no shoulder I was surprised to see someone pull out to pass while driving towards me. Naturally I think “what’s this guys problem, he is a horrible driver!” I judged this person and categorized them as a bad driver. We like to judge people it seems and that got me to thinking about why!
On thinking about why we like to judge people I came up with a number of possible reasons:
- It makes us feel superior to them.
- It allows those with similar opinions to group together.
- It makes us feel better about ourselves.
- It makes us feel right.
And I am sure the list can go on and on! But who are we to judge? All I got to see is someone pulling off a potentially dangerous driving maneuver and I passed judgement based on that. However that may not be the whole story. That person may be an excellent driver that is on their way home after a distressed call from a family member, or perhaps they are on their way to assist a friend in need or some other situation that might make them decide to take a risk while driving.
What does Scripture have to say about passing judgement?
Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you–who are you to judge your neighbor? (Jam 4:11-12 NIV)
There is only one Lawgiver and Judge and it is not us. By judging others we are putting ourselves under judgement and not living in accordance with the will of God.
I am sure that you have heard it before but here it is again! Judge not lest ye be judged!
Grace & Peace,
J
