Week 35: Judgement
Weekly Chapters:
Ezekiel 1-22
Passage of the Week:
Ezekiel 5
Noun: Judgement
1. Act of judging
2. Forming an opinion
Adjective: Judgmental
1. Tending to make quick, excessively critical judgements, especially moral
Thesaurus:
· Critical
· Overcritical
· Fault Finding
· Rejecting
· Discerning
· Discriminating
Father God,
As we move further into Your word, continue to open my eyes to your message. Give me the heart to hear your teachings, and let my heart be willing to receive your word.
Amen
Authentic vulnerability:
I can be very judgmental of others’ life choices, word choices, clothing choices. I have made many mistakes, life choices, word choices, clothing choices that would be cringe-worthy. My judgement is not reserved for family or stranger, is freely given. I chose judgement rather than love and acceptance.
What is your Authentic Truth?
Study:
God proclaimed judgment on his people for the wrongs they had done: not following the commands of God and worshiping idols. God was judging facts. You did X, therefore Y.
God was angry with His people. The Israelites were not obeying and were rebelling (Ezekiel 5:6). God was frustrated because his people were behaving below the standards of other nations (Ezekiel 5:7). God’s judgement came down hard and was justified.
We all make judgments: not going down the road because of the traffic from yesterday, not trusting someone because he/she had violated your trust in the past, deciding which book to buy based on the cover.
But, the ungodly behavior of being overly critical and judging without facts is the topic today. Negative and harmful consequences of judging without facts or judging someone else’s choices that have nothing to do with us helps no one.
A wise friend once told me, when you point your finger at me, you have four pointing back at you. Try it, point to an object with your forefinger out and your other fingers tucked into a fist. It is true!
Romans 2:1
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.
Matthew 7:1-3
1 “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. 2 For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. 3 “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own?
Proverbs 21:2
People may be right in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their heart.
What I find that when I am judgmental:
· Why is she dressed like that? Honestly, it has nothing to do with me. But even more, why do I care? Is it my insecurity?
· Why are her shorts so short? Well, let’s face it if I could have pulled it off, but at her age, I would’ve done the same. My body issues have nothing to do with her.
And it goes on. Some people will not be caught dead in what I wear, so why would I judge others on what they wear.
“Be curious, not judgmental” Walt Whitman
Unlike God, our judgment is critical, often unfounded.
I like Walt’s advice—Be curious. By seeking to understand others, their choices, their motivation, we are less prone to judge and more open to accepting them and love as Christ loved.
Luke 6:37
“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven.”
Father God,
Thank You for your grace and love for me. I know that I judge and fall short of expectations. But I am Your daughter and forgiven for my ways. Thank You, Lord, for loving me despite my judgmental attitude.
Amen.
Homework:
When you find yourself judging
Stop
What are you doing? saying?
Recognize your judgment versus the love of Christ we need to share.
Ask what this person can be experiencing or have experienced differently from me?
Choose to love
Smile knowing that you are healing and becoming a better person
