The Judge

I am a judgmental person by nature.  I can have formed an opinion of someone in less time than it takes to shake their hand and say, "Hello.".  I am not bragging here...I am merely confessing.  I truly BELIEVE one should not judge another.  So why do I continue to do it?  It's like a knee-jerk reaction for me. 

We are told not to do so in the Bible.  Luke 6:37 says, "“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven;".  Not to mention that I have learned from personal experience...it's a really bad idea.

No one wants to be judged themselves, so why do we judge others?  Perhaps we feel insecure?  Perhaps it's a learned trait?  Rationalization for our own errors?  Whatever the cause...it is a struggle I have and work on daily.  My tongue has been tempered with time and I have learned to keep my mouth shut (most of the time).  But it typically doesn't stop me from thinking it.  I am ashamed to admit it, but it's true.

What do we judge people about?  Oh, just about anything under the sun I suppose:  How they spend their time, how they spend their money, how they raise their children, how the keep their house, what they eat, what they don't eat,  what they drink, religion, politics...I could go on and on.  Why is it we inherently think our way is the best way for all people?  Don't we routinely change our own ways?  How does the saying go?  "When you know better, you do better?"  Something like that.  So what we are doing now, that we think is so grand, could possibly change anyway the more we learn.  Why do we think people need to be just like we are right now?

So how do we stop judging others?  Well, I don't know that I can answer that question as I have already admitted, I struggle with this a great deal.  What I CAN say, is that while we may still think the judgment, perhaps not acting on that judgment will be a step in the right direction?  I may think a person is irresponsible in some matter, but I can keep my mouth shut unless it directly affects me or my family.  I can not butt in unless I am asked my opinion on the matter.  I can chose to not shun them.  I can just love them anyway knowing there are things in this life I am working on too, and I hope people will show me the same grace in turn.

We are not called to be a people who judge.  We are not called to right everyone else's perceived wrongs.  We are called to be a loving people who show the compassion of Christ through our words and deeds.  I suppose if I busy myself doing what I am called to do, I will not have time to get myself wrapped up in what I should not be doing.