judging

Have you ever made a judgment about someone that was wrong? Have you ever been on the wrong side with your judgment whether good or bad? I have, and I can tell you two situations where it was way off. It's important that we get to know people, there is a video that I show kids when I do presentations for the Betty Griffin House. It's a video on bullying, but one section of it deals with judging. Most bullying situations are started by a judgment. A bully selects his/her prey and moves in based on what they see. In the video a man sets up a table outside a public park and asks teenagers to play "make the big deal". They are given the choice of choosing $10 which is sitting on the table, or whatever may be inside a rather torn, and worn out looking box. Every teenager took the $10 and one even had a friend telling him, take the ten, take the ten. THe gentleman uncovered the box and inside there was a $100 bill. The kids were obviously disappointed, but the kid that said take the ten, take the ten, was quoted as saying, "I told you to take the box!".
Judging is a major problem. We make a call based on what we see. I was a part of a workplace where from the outside it really appeared and looked one way, but inside when you saw all the workings it was not a very nice place at all. People put on a different face in public than they did in the workplace, and behind closed doors it was a nasty place to be. Out in the open it was a wonderful, peaceful and loving environment. I made a wrong judgment there for sure!
Also, my wife Tara and I knew each other in highschool. Granted, I was much younger then, I didn't have any interest in her because of the way she appeared to be. She was into many of the same things I was, had the same interests, but from a distance she looked to be the exact opposite. I never really gave it any thought until our paths crossed in college, then I asked her on a date, and over 10 years later here we are. I was way off on my judging back then for sure.
Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven" (Luke 6:37).
Judging and condemning really have no place in the Christian's life. We must learn to stop judging others by their mistakes and outward appearances and get to know the heart. In the process of getting to know the heart, we most likely will need their forgiveness of us becuase of our judgment.
If you want to impact this community for GOd's Kingdom you cannot judge others. You can't decide whether someone is a church candidate or not, you cannot decide someone is a good person or not, and you certainly cannot decide what God sees in them because that is for Him alone. So just love the people you come accross and let God take care of the other details.
Thanks for reading and have a great day!