Mathew 7:1,2
Judge not, that ye be not judged.
2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
What does it mean to judge others? I have heard much diverse explanation. I have been praying to understand its meaning.
Let me discuss this with an example:
If a brother in the church found that I get angry for certain matters. He could form an opinion about me that my weakness is getting angry. Is forming an opinion about me judging me? No. it is important to understand that if I form an opinion it is not judgement. This is the common misconception among Christians.
Kerala people are innocent. It is an opinion but it is not judging Kerala people.
Kerala people are risk-averse people. A negative opinion, it is still not judging Keralites.
Americans are luxury obsessed. A negative opinion but not judging Americans.
After forming an opinion how do we respond or react that matters most? If we think of punishing the people either passively or actively it is then judging them.
Let me give some more examples.
One Bengali Christian found out that Kerala Christians are money lovers. He has already formed an opinion about Kerala Christians. He decided to keep a distance from Kerala Christians. That is a mild punishment or mild judgement. Instead, if he chose to love Kerala people in spite of their weakness he discovered, he is not judging them.
if somebody gives advice to me that I must pray so I may get self-control over anger. if I reply "who are you to judge me and my character?". Is that good behaviour? No. He was not judging me at all. He was encouraging me to trust God for my weakness. It would be my arrogance to reply "who are you to judge me?". Honestly, I have done such mistakes. Because I had the wrong understanding of "judging others".
The measure you use to punish others after you formed an opinion based on your observation and scrutiny, the same measure of punishment will be upon you. Chose love in all circumstances. All of us have weaknesses, don't reject a person, don't harm a person by teasing or any other means, don't treat others despitefully because of their weakness.
When you find weaknesses in another Christian or a pastor, be compassionate towards that person. Be merciful. Don't think of punishing the pastor by quitting the church or stealing his church members. Be merciful.
Note: This is an incomplete work yet I published. Please comment your corrections, English corections, suggestions, disagreements etc. I love to hear your reply so I can improve. I am only an English learner and so I need your help in improving my writings.
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