Day 1: Judging Others
Let’s be honest: it’s easy to judge others. It’s easy to judge how they drive. It’s easy to judge how they parent. It’s easy to judge how they work. It’s easy to judge how they dress. It’s just…easy to judge.
But have you ever stopped to think about why we judge others? Some researchers have learned that the primary reason we judge others is because we think lowly of ourselves. In other words, research has shown that if we think we can convince ourselves that others have a more pathetic life than we do, then we’ll feel better about who we are. But guess what? It doesn’t work…EVER!
What does work, is coming to the realization that we cannot grow if we regularly judge others. Why? Because we cannot grow if we think lowly of ourselves. And if we judge others primarily because we think lowly of ourselves, we just get caught in this vicious cycle.
While the solution sounds simple, it’s quite difficult to put into practice on a regular basis. Our culture has basically trained us to be judgmental towards others. Doing the opposite takes diligence, and a willingness to allow others to hold us accountable.
As you read today, consider this: Are you willing to give others permission to hold you accountable to being less judgmental?
READING:
Matthew 7:1-5; John 8:1-8; James 4:11-12; Proverbs 27:17
Are you willing to give others permission to hold you accountable to being less judgmental. (Proverbs 27:17)
What do you think is the difference between judging others vs holding others accountable for their actions? In other words, when is it OK to hold somebody accountable, and when does it cross a line to judging them?
Would you agree that we often judge others as a way to try to feel better about ourselves? Why doesn’t this work?
God is inviting you to change the way you see yourself. How will you think differently about yourself this week?
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, I confess that there are times in my life when I judge others and that I have done so just to try to feel better about myself. This week, I pray that You will continue to lead and guide me to see myself in the same way You see me. Not as someone who is of little value, but as someone who You valued so much that You sent Jesus to give His life for me. May this truth resonate deep within me! I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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