“Judge not, that you be not judged.” Matthew 7:1 (NKJV)

“DO NOT judge and criticize and condemn others, so that you may not be judged and criticized and condemned yourselves.” Matthew 7:1 (Amplified)

Judgement deals directly with our acts, or the things we do that others see. It does not take in consideration the heart or our intentions. It is mortal (flesh and/or carnal) and does not have that capability. It is good to note that God searches the heart, thus what was meant, and what our intentions were—and bypasses the rigid confines of mortal judgement altogether, that He may show Grace.

It would be good that we do so as well.

As the above scriptures tell us, we bring into our world’s the exact same things we put out there for others, when we operate in judgement (condemnation, et al). In other words, the very things we condemn, criticize and/or rail against (snide comments, anger, etc.) becomes the measurement in our own lives, for our own actions. Human judgement tends to be negative, absolute and very wrong. Do you want that in YOUR life?

Let’s be honest, we can only see the outside of things at best, and that not very clearly and usually always devoid of understanding fully all that is involved.

When we use discernment (a God given gift, and part of a life in Him namely discipleship) we bypass this mortal action of the carnal man (he enemy of God—Romans 8 ) and partake of the divine nature instead. As we should always strive to do in our walk of faith in Christ. Discernment allows God to give guidance, or in some cases He may even be silent and allow the situation or circumstance to unfold, to show us what WE need to do, respond with, or the actions we must take in our own lives.

Judgment is us reacting and acting upon others, through the agency of our own understanding. Discernment is reacting or the actions in our lives tht we allow to be dictated by God. And IF you are His Kid, which one do you want operating in your life? Exactly.

There are many things in our lives that we deal with in their negative aspects, because WE have responded negatively. We have opened a door of judgment that Satan uses to afflict us. our lives and circumstances. I can give you a personal example that had operated in my life until today. Hence, of course, this whole introspection and post entry (smile).

I was given a ticket years ago that I did not deserve. It was rush hour (an oxymoron as we literally crawled along at about 10 mph, or less, from signal to signal on the way home) and I had a policeman pull me over for speeding! His declaration was that I was doing 57 mph in a 35 mph hour zone. Right. It was physically impossible—and being the meek and timid person I am, I told him so. (Yes, back then I was very lippy and obviously rather dumb). He showed me his radar gun showing the supposed speed, and being a geek I explained exactly the procedure for rigging radar. (Told you I was lippy!)

I got the ticket anyway (stop chuckling).

But I refused to pay it. I still haven’t paid it, and it’s been at least 7 or so years now. Since that time I lost my license due to illness (CHF and a broken back), my car is gone (which I gave up to pay rent on a house for my ex-wife and kids) and now rely on others to get around. I also have had problems financially as well, in almost every area of my life. So how does this all apply to my human response to a traffic ticket?

Glad you asked.

My judgment of wrong—and consequent action of inaction—was a judgment that opened the door to all the negatives listed above. First, I should have paid my ticket and let God be my advocate (known or unknown to me personally, but still trusting that He REALLY is still in charge) as I would have fulfilled my duty to pay the fine. See, that is as far as it should have gone. But I reacted incorrectly. God has set into motion things, or laws, that govern our actions, our lives, and the circumstances in which we live.

I took it upon myself to bypass that, and that took God right out of the equation, He didn’t do that, I did through MY judgement against the inequity and/or unfairness of the situation. But more than that I started a mindset in my life that progressed down the halls of judgement that brought me to the state, predictably, in which I now live. I did that, no one else. Can I point to the things that did it? Yes, but it doesn’t change WHO is responsible for all of it. And I know WHO that is.

Me.

So we should not judge because it separates us from God’s Grace and His forgiveness, and places us directly into the carnal mindset and actions, to be reciprocated into our own lives, as a reflection of our own judgements. I gave nothing to the Lord. I took it all upon myself. Me, forgiving me, means very little in the scheme of things. I don’t affect the actions of the universe or it’s laws, God does. See why He should be in charge and not me? I do. I NEED His forgivesness through His Grace.

So what do we take away from all this? That we have the power of the decision making processes of our own lives, it belongs to us. It’s called Free Will. We can decide whether to walk in judgement, or discernment. We can decide to follow the path of God, or our own way. There are benefits to following God (obviously or wouldn’t be on a walk of faith at all) and consequences in following our own way.

It’s our decision. Always is.

Be blessed, be loved and be at peace. May the light of God’s presence fire the brilliance of your soul.

Jonathan

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