Only God Can Judge Me
I remember when this saying was popular. I really didn't put to much thought in the statement. TuPac had a song titled "Only God can judge me", that popped into my mind when I was thinking about this topic. I listened to it again to remember the lyrics. I don't agree with all the lyrics but very nice beats!
Anyways I was just thinking how people can be on two extreme spectrums of this statement, "Only God can Judge me". One view is that I can do drugs and rob, live like the devil and only God can judge me. That's not the real world, people out there are constantly judging. If I do a crime tomorrow a Judge and Jury will soon be judging me. I will get judged on my job review for the year. Yes at only the final judgment only God will judge and I would be way more concerned with God's judgment then man's. People are constantly making judgments all day long. When you wake up in the morning, what clothes you are going to wear, what music you will pick to listen to etc... There are may scriptures about rebuking and correcting your fellow brother and sisters in the Lord. Defenition of rebuke is...express sharp disapproval or criticism of (someone) because of their behavior or action.There are so many scriptures on this, I will not be able to list them all. Even though it is a sharp disapproval the scriptures seem to imply that you should always do this very carefully with grace and love. Here is a couple I like. "If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. Matthew 18:15. He is on the path of life who heeds instruction, But he who ignores reproof goes astray.Proverbs 10:17. Oooh and I love this one.Wounds from someone who loves are trustworthy, but kisses from an enemy speak volumes. Proverbs 27:6. I personally do not liked to be judged especially if it something negative, but if it was done though gentleness, love and concern it would be good for me.
On the flip side of the coin is people that are constantly judging people all day.. Pointing their finger about them and gossiping to other people. Talking about people behind their backs and thinking they are better. It seems that a lot of females think this some sort of sport to be gossiping all the time. Maybe men do it too, I don't know? This is not the way judging is meant to be.“Do not judge according to appearances, but judge with righteous judgment”. John 7:24. It's not if you judge, its "how" you judge and it should be with righteous judgment. You should always pray first before you confront someone and have the holy spirit guide you so that you don't fall yourself. Any judgment should come from love and to restore the person. I know it can be very hard, today I am guilty of judging because of the scripture not to judge by appearances. For some reason if it looks like a duck, and swims like a duck and quacks like one I thought it was a duck! Ok. I will have to rethink that one, and not be so quick to judge on mere appearances. What is really bothersome is "Christians" being judgmental and condemning other believers. These judgments do not seem to be rooted in love but in condemnation. Satan is the ultimate accuser. Let's not be like satan pointing our finger at others to condemn and think we are so righteous. Are you praying to get wisdom from God on how to confront this person or are you just aimlessly shooting junk out of your mouth trying to tear other Christians down so they can feel defeated? Galatians 6:1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
Bottom line,let us be more careful how we live and what words come out of our mouth. Let it not be words of condemnation about other people but words filled with love sprinkled with love and grace coming out of our mouths.
Blessings!
