"Judge"

Jesus said we shouldn’t judge,

Lest we will be judged, too,

I believe just what He said,

And affirm that it is true.

But I have trouble judging judgers,

It’s so hard not to do,

‘Cause they’re so hard on others,

It’s those I react to.

I’m talking ‘bout self-righteous,

Mean with a Christian smile,

Looking  down on people,

I’ve seen ‘em for awhile.

They always love to argue,

Putting down and finding fault,

The do not show compassion,

The way God says we ought.

But now I need forgiveness,

‘Cause my attitude runs bad,

When the judges do their judging,

It can really make me mad.

So Lord help me to show mercy,

Even to the ones who don’t,

Not up to me to punish,

So with God’s help I won’t.

“Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged, and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your eye?” (Matthew 7:1-3, NAS)

Seeing that someone is wrong is not a sin. But judging them in a way that elevates yourself above them is wrong. Again, discernment is a good thing. It positions you to help someone that you otherwise could not. But when you react in an unloving way and refuse mercy to the one who is wrong, we become part of the problem, not the solution. I have to learn not to judge people that I believe are being judgmental. It’s the proverbial speck in their eye, but my reaction is as big as a log in my own.

Lord, help us give mercy, in Jesus’ name.

Personal photo.