Misquoting: Do not Judge

How do we relate to people who are different to us? Today there is such a strong public attitude that you should not judge. Even if people don't care about the Bible, they us it to support their objection that you should not judge them. God's wrath is certainly not instructing us to never make a judgement. It that were true, it would make it impossible for society to function. Notice that people who criticise other for judging, are actually judging. Rather, Jesus provided a framework in which people should judge. Firstly, the judgement He is speaking about is spiteful criticism. James calls this speaking evil against a person. This prohibits judging people's motives. Ever. Rather, gather information before concluding. Don't assume. Beware of holding people to your own personal standard--whether regarding, food, culture, anything. Don't be harder on other people than you are on yourself. Look out for a defensive position in you when other people criticise you. You have something missing in your understanding of the gospel. Are you failing to see your own sin? Are you failing to be merciful? Such is a major issue. It is God's word that helps us to see our own sin. It is close relationships with other people that help us to see our own sin too. This is what love looks like. Judgement is a blessing, not a curse. It also creates opportunity for you to help others. Critical judgement; no. Kind, loving judgement; yes!