A Judgmental Spirit

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Matthew 7:2b “The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.”

It’s not too difficult to identify a judgmental spirit in others. (We all know the person who is critical of everyone and everything.) However, we do ourselves a serious disservice when we compare ourselves to others. Thoughts such as, “Well, yeah, I guess I occasionally judge others. But at least I’m not nearly as critical as that person over there.”

But this too is a judgmental attitude. As Peter Scazzero writes in Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, “…we often turn our differences into moral superiority or virtues.”

In other words, criticizing or judging somebody else for their weight, clothing, the music they like, the car they drive, the amount of money they have, the way they spend their money, the way they worship God, the way they criticize others, or any other number of things, it may be a underlying way for you to believe you are somehow morally superior to them. A wise question to remember is this: If you lived their life and experienced everything they have, would you make a different decision than the one they made?

READING & PRAYERS:

     MATTHEW 7:1-6 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)

QUESTION: Thinking back over the previous two or three days, who is somebody you criticized, even if only in your mind? Be honest: Is there any possibility that your criticism was a way for you to think of yourself as morally superior (e.g., better than) them? 

Take a Step: This week, continue to utilize the One Minute Pause app at least twice daily to begin practicing being with God and resting in His presence. The app is free, and is available on iPhone and Android devices. See pauseapp.com for details.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I may not think of myself as a judgmental person but I probably compare myself with others much more often than I realize. Bring to light any areas in life in which I may judge others, think less of them, or think that I am somehow morally superior compared to them. Refine these areas from my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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