Stop Passing Judgment

As followers of Jesus, we live with constant tension.

On one hand, we want to honor God and do what he wants. On the other hand, everything in our world is directly opposed to God.

Life in the Kingdom of God is at odds with the ways of the world. You are going to notice many things that disagree with your values and, more importantly, with God’s values.

How do you respond?

Unfortunately, too many Christians respond by passing judgment on others.

James tells us that if we judge others without showing mercy, then God will not show mercy to us. God desires mercy over judgment.

You can avoid being judgmental by telling the truth with gentleness. You can tell someone that disobeying God will lead to negative consequences in a way that doesn’t pass judgment on them.

You become judgmental when you take the truth and hold it over people’s heads, in order to make yourself feel superior. We are called to tell the truth to help people, not to harm them or put them down.

You can disagree with someone without being disagreeable. Even if you are right about something, being rude about it puts you in the wrong.

Being judgmental—expecting an unbeliever to act like a believer—doesn’t make sense. The Bible says people can’t act the way God wants them to act until they invite Jesus into their lives and accept his power to change their ways.

Jesus says, “Do not judge others, and God will not judge you; do not condemn others, and God will not condemn you; forgive others, and God will forgive you” (Luke 6:37 GNT).

You will be able to stop passing judgment on others when you remember that everyone is accountable to God. That means they aren’t accountable to you, but remember, you are accountable to stop passing judgment on others.

Talk It Over

• • Have you found yourself expecting an unbeliever to act like a believer? What was the relational outcome?
  • What does telling the truth with gentleness look like?
  • How does the following verse relate to today’s devotional? “Each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another” (Romans 14:12-13 NIV).
  • What are some ways you can disagree with someone without being disagreeable?

James 2:12-13 | Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Devotional from YouVersion Bible App. Contact Pastor Rod Lindemann at RodL@TimothyLutheran.com on how to use the Bible App for additional readings and topics.

Living Guilt-Free

God gives us what we need, not what we deserve.

We deserve judgment for our sins because we are guilty of going our way instead of God’s way But Jesus took the punishment we deserve. He has removed them “as far as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12 NLT).

Earth has a north pole and a south pole, but there is no end from east to west. When you place your trust in Jesus, God takes your sin and wipes it out!

King David committed adultery, and then, to cover it up, he had the woman’s husband murdered. Can you imagine the guilt he carried?

The far-reaching effects of adultery and murder are devastating. David didn’t deserve forgiveness or mercy from God. David knew he was wrong, but he also knew that God is a merciful God.

David prayed: “Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin” (Psalm 51:1-2 NLT).

God desires mercy over judgment. He is in the business of forgiveness; he can purify, cleanse, and restore you.

Follow David’s example. Admit your guilt to God and ask for his mercy. He will forgive you because he is good, not because you are good enough to earn it.

God has forgiven you, so accept his forgiveness and forgive yourself, too.

Talk It Over

• • Since God has forgiven you, do you easily forgive yourself? Talk to God about it and ask him to help you forgive yourself.
  • If you are struggling with sin right now, read slowly through Psalm 51. And then meditate on each section.
  • Personalize Psalm 51 into a prayer to use when you need to seek forgiveness from God.

Psalm 103:10 | He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.

Devotional from YouVersion Bible App. Contact Pastor Rod Lindemann at RodL@TimothyLutheran.com on how to use the Bible App for additional readings and topics.

Be Wise with Your Words

When we lack self-control, we’re more vulnerable to all kinds of problems.

Anything out of control in your life can harm other people and damage your close relationships. Uncontrolled anger, lust, addiction, overspending, drinking, or ambition can create enormous problems.

But one of the greatest destroyers of relationships is an uncontrolled tongue.

I read once that the average person has about 30 conversations a day. That would mean we spend around one-fifth of our lives talking!

At some point, your mouth will probably get you into trouble. The odds are against you.

James compares the tongue to a tiny spark because that’s all that is needed to create a great forest fire. A careless word can ignite your relationships and make them all go up in smoke.

Have you ever met a verbal arsonist?

Their words are dangerous. They use words of discouragement, disappointment, accusation, criticism, sarcasm, condemnation, or attack—the list is endless.

Gossip is especially destructive because it spreads like an airborne virus. Careless words have destroyed careers, friendships, and families.

Instead of heading in a destructive direction, you can choose to use your words to build others up. Catch people doing something right and tell them about it. Affirm their character when they make difficult decisions. Lift them up with words of encouragement.

Building others up with encouraging words isn’t difficult, but it’s uncommon.

You reflect God’s glory in a dark world when you control your mouth and build others up.

Talk It Over

• • What are some words you can use to build others up?

• • What is one way you can remind yourself to be encouraging when you’re tempted to be critical?

• • Why is gossip so destructive? Make an “exit” plan for how you can avoid participating in gossip.

James 3:5-6| Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

Devotional from YouVersion Bible App. Contact Pastor Rod Lindemann at RodL@TimothyLutheran.com on how to use the Bible App for additional readings and topics.

It Pays to Be Patient

When you are patient, it builds your character, prevents mistakes, and helps you reach your goals. You’re also more likely to be honored by others and have happier relationships. Patience comes with all kinds of blessings and benefits.

In other words, God rewards patience.

Have you ever noticed how hard it is to be patient when you’re tired? Many of us are weary from the pandemic. But the Bible says, “Let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and give up” (Galatians 6:9 TLB).

There are blessings to be had through difficult seasons—blessings in your character, your circumstances, your family, and God’s church. And they’re not just rewards to enjoy right now. The Bible says there will be rewards in heaven, too.

Jesus says in Matthew 5:11-12, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven” (NIV).

When someone hurts you, your strongest response may be to retaliate. The different ways people have chosen to respond to the pandemic have caused a lot of hurt feelings. And with that comes the temptation to fight back and lash out.

Whenever you’re criticized and tempted to strike back, think first: Is this fight worth giving up the reward promised to me in heaven? It’s not.

As a leader, I get criticized a lot. People misjudge, question, doubt, and second-guess me all the time. I’ve learned to not defend myself. I remain quiet because I’ve discovered that people are most like Jesus when they don’t retaliate.

Even when he was accused and mistreated, Jesus chose to do what was right and not retaliate in the middle of a crisis. If you choose to let God handle it when someone hurts you, he sees it—and he will bless you.

Talk It Over

• • In what relationships have you found it most difficult to practice patience during the pandemic?

• • How do you treasure eternal rewards more than earthly rewards? How is your answer revealed in the choices you make when you’re hurt or criticized?
• How does patience help create healthy relationships?

James 5:11 |As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

Devotional from YouVersion Bible App. Contact Pastor Rod Lindemann at RodL@TimothyLutheran.com on how to use the Bible App for additional readings and topics.

Seek to Understand Before Being Understood

When you’re in conflict, the loving and Christlike way to defuse tension is to seek to understand before being understood. Try to figure out what the other person is thinking and saying before you try to convince them of your perspective. You cannot hope to be understood until you are willing to do the same for others.

The Bible says, “A person who answers without listening is foolish and disgraceful” (Proverbs 18:13 ICB).

We are often so busy trying to get people to see things our way that we don’t stop to listen to what they are saying.

That’s why it’s helpful to say, “You go first.” And then, after they’ve shared, say, “Now, let me see if I understand. You’re saying (repeat to them what you understood they were communicating to you). Did I get this right?” That gives them a chance to correct you and not only be understood by you but also feel understood.

Seeking to understand first also allows you to see the other person’s perspective. Philippians 2:4-5 says, “Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had” (NLT).

Too often there are heated discussions around the best way to move forward after a conflict. Everyone has their own perspective, but it seems like no one is willing to see anyone else’s perspective. All we can see is our own side of things.

If you’re not willing to seek to understand and acknowledge other perspectives, you won’t be able to see the hurt in other people. You won’t see their fear, their pain, or the injustice they’ve faced.

That is not the way of Jesus Christ. He always looked beyond himself to the needs of others. Even on the cross, he was thinking of you.

It’s not easy to think of others before yourself. It certainly isn’t natural. You are, by nature, a self-centered person. So am I! Left to my own devices, I will always choose to look out for myself before I look out for others.

Only Jesus can change my perspective—and yours. Only Jesus can make you more interested in someone else’s interests than in your own. When you take on the character of Christ, the desire to understand before being understood becomes more natural. Only then can you begin to work through conflict in a Christ-like way.

Talk It Over

• • How do you want someone to respond when you are trying to get them to understand what you’re saying? Do you do the same for others?

• • Do you find yourself thinking about what you’re going to say next instead of truly listening to someone? Why can this be such a strong temptation?

• • If you truly care more about the person you’re talking to than getting your point across, how might you change the way you have conversations?

This devotional © 2021 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Philippians 2:4-5
not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 5In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

Devotional from YouVersion Bible App. Contact Pastor Rod Lindemann at RodL@TimothyLutheran.com on how to use the Bible App for additional readings and topics.