“Don’t Judge”.....

When you hear the words “don’t judge”, what comes to mind? For me I think of of making a first impression; like appearance, or hearsay, or even seeing a picture of someone on the internet. I also think of people who are doing something wrong and say it because they are not willing to listen to what you have to say. I think the majority of people who say it do it because they don’t know how to deal with their guilt (that’s if they even feel guilty). My take in this begs the question, what is the basis for judgement? What is the criteria for making a sound, rational decision? It has to be based on the behavior of the person and the standard God provides for us in the Bible. Is not He the Maker of the rules? The Author of HIS-story? Can’t He do as He pleases? In order to make a sound judgement, the Bible tells us to judge with integrity, act in fear of the Lord, and do it in faithfulness with an undivided heart. Jesus Himself said, “Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly." We are to judge. But the problem comes in as to what standard are we using? God’s or man’s? So the next time someone says to you, “don’t judge”, simply reply (to finish the statement), “with man’s standard”. Our entire existence and the key to God’s heart is to accept truth, acknowledge sin, and agree with God. And that my friend takes the ability to discern, or more easily stated, judge rightly. It’s only possible when we use God’s standard.

4 Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, but he went out among the people, traveling from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim, encouraging the people to return to the Lord, the God of their ancestors. 5 He appointed judges throughout the nation in all the fortified towns, 6 and he said to them, “Always think carefully before pronouncing judgment. Remember that you do not judge to please people but to please the Lord. He will be with you when you render the verdict in each case. 7 Fear the Lord and judge with integrity, for the Lord our God does not tolerate perverted justice, partiality, or the taking of bribes.”8 In Jerusalem, Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites and priests and clan leaders in Israel to serve as judges for cases involving the Lord’s regulations and for civil disputes. 9 These were his instructions to them: “You must always act in the fear of the Lord, with faithfulness and an undivided heart. 10 Whenever a case comes to you from fellow citizens in an outlying town, whether a murder case or some other violation of God’s laws, commands, decrees, or regulations, you must warn them not to sin against the Lord, so that He will not be angry with you and them. Do this and you will not be guilty. 2 Chronicles 19:4-10