I've been doing a good deal of thinking lately. In the past few days - and weeks and months - I've encountered a lot of judging. Some of that judging has been good. For example, if someone thinks that you are trustworthy and you really are, that would be a good judgement call. However a great deal, if not most, of that judging has been hurtful and unnecessary.
Matthew 7:1-3 says "Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with that judgement ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?" This has always been one of my favorite passages from the New Testament, and right now it holds so much meaning for me. There have been so many that have passed judgement on me lately, and that pains me deeply. So many that have said things like, "You're just doing this because it's easier," or "You have to be lying; I know you love 'X'," or "You just want to be able to do things you should be doing without feeling guilty." Well I honestly have to wonder: all of you who have judged me, who have, in essence, 'cast the first stone'... who are you to judge? Have you seen inside my soul to my deepest thoughts, wishes, regrets, and desires? Have you felt what I feel? Have you lived my life? Do you know what I know or do what I do or think the things I think? ...I didn't think so. So, that being said, who are you to judge me?
In saying all of this I am filled with shame, because I realize that I have been judging, as well. I have felt very attacked over the past few months, and very vulnerable, and in turn I've become angry with those who have passed judgement on me and my actions. That is not right, and I am sorry. I have no more room to judge than anyone else. All I can hope to do and should do is to love my fellow brother and sister. To practice charity, and to be as Christ-like as possible on this earth. It is not for me to judge why you do things. It is not for me to judge what you should say or how you should say it. It is certainly not for me to judge whether you are right or wrong in theology, religion, politics, or any other matter that does not rely on absolute certainty. Just as you have no room to judge me, I have no room to judge you.
That being said, I would like to point out that there is only One who has the authority - or capability, for that matter - to fairly judge us. That One is God. He is our Creator, and only He should judge us. It is not our job to judge, it is our job to love. Leave judgement up to Him. Matthew 7:5 says "Though hypocrite, first cast the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of they brother's eye." But I would like you to consider something: when will we truly have cast the 'beam' out of our own eye? When will we have rid ourselves of sin enough to judge others, even in righteousness? We cannot. It is done only through Christ our Savior, and my guess is that unless He changes His methods soon, it won't happen for any of us in this life.
Don't be the victim of judgement. For either way, you will be a victim. If you are the judged, you are hurt by the actions of others. If you are the one doing the judging, you are hurting not only those around, innocent and guilty alike, but you are also hurting yourself. I hope and pray each of us will keep that in mind.
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