by Opal Elaine Moyer

Created on: June 28, 2009

It is so easy to look at the actions of others and pass judgement over them for these actions; it's actually human nature and difficult as a human being to not judge others. In the bible, Christ does warn us against the judging of others. "Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven." (Luke 6:37 KJV) The bible encourgages love and forgiveness over passing judgement. Judgement is for God; mankind is not fit to judge one another as we shall see.

In the book of John chapter eight Christ, himself, encountered a case of people judging others. While on the Mount of Olives, the scribes and Pharisees brought to him a woman, who'd been caught in the act of adultery. They reminded Christ that the law of Moses commanded that adulterers be stoned and wanted to know if he agreed with this. "So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone." (John 8:7 KJV) This is epitomizes the reason why we should refrain from judging our fellow human beings; none of us is without sin. In other words, "Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things." (Romans 2:1 KJV) This is the thing about human nature; we tend to pass judgement over others for some of the very same things that we do, ourselves.

When we pass judgement over others, we are actually committing a sin. It is hypocrisy, because we are all sinners by nature. Rather, we should learn to recognize this. Human beings need to learn repentance and forgiveness. There is only one who is fit to pass judgemnt on anyone. "But we are sure that the judgement of God is according to the truth against them which commit such things." (Romans 2:2 KJV) God is the impartial, just judge. "For there is no respect of persons with God." (Roman 2:11 KJV) God has no predjudices or favoritism; he alone can see people clearly enough to judge their actions.

Judging the actions and behavior of others is hard for all of us to resist. The best thing to do is stop and ask yourself, "Have I done anything like this, myself?" or " Have I done something that someone might look at the same way as I am looking at this persons actions?" I think the answer would stop any of us dead in our tracks.

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