Fighting the Urge to Judge Others

Jesus is the light which brings clarity. John 8:12 reads:

When we fix our eyes on Jesus, Author and Perfecter of our faith, we are following the Light. Light illuminates, protecting from the shroud of darkness and the fear of the unknown – another type of darkness. Scriptures tells us often not to be afraid or worry. The burden of judgment is not ours to carry. Jesus took it to the cross, and we’re to leave it there from the moment we collapse at the foot of it in submission to Him for salvation. Salvation is freedom, in Christ, to come to the Father for forgiveness when we deserve judgement for sin.

We are pretty good at loving ourselves. Selfishness and pride are sins we all have to deal with in this life. Unfortunately, we aren’t naturally wired to love our enemies and our neighbors as we love ourselves. Because of sin, we come into the world focused on ourselves. When infants are born, they cannot see very far past themselves yet! It’s the same way with baby faith. We can’t see past ourselves. Self-focus leads to dissatisfaction, because we were meant to serve. Our lives are meant to bring glory to God, not to ourselves or to other people. When we look beyond ourselves through the perspective of Christ Jesus, the world as He sees it comes into focus. We see people differently when we follow Jesus.

Obedience to God’s law flows from the love we find in Him through Christ Jesus. It’s His love which allows us the capacity and understanding to love our neighbors. Neighbors meaning, everybody.

It’s insanely difficult to react obediently in line with the way Scripture tells us to love others when we or someone we love is hurt. Loving everybody all of the time is really hard work. Thankfully, we don’t have to do it alone. Everyone else is in God’s hands, not ours. We simply have to keep our eyes on Him, and love the best way we can. With all of our hearts, we get up each day and try our best to lay down our right to judge, and pick up the ability to forgive because we are forgiven. And that’s the kind of life which brings glory to God.

More from this author
Evidence God Is at Work in Our Lives
What Does It Take to Be Courageous?
Clarity Is Found in Christ Alone

Photo credit: ©Getty Images/fizkes

Meg is a graduate of Ashland University. She is a writer, author, editor, and digital content creator. She stepped away from her job in Internet Marketing in 2008 to raise her daughters, which gave her passion for writing a chance to shine through her blog, Sunny&80… Life within the Love of Christ. Meg has served as a Children’s Worship Team Leader and Middle School Leader for her local church. She founded and led the Breakfast Club Bible Study for Tweens, has served as a Young Life Leader and Committee Member, and led Women’s Bible Study. She has also volunteered as a content creator for her local church, studied Bible/Ministerial Training through Global University, and completed COMPEL PRO Writers Training. A contributing writer for Salem Web Network since 2016, Meg is now thrilled to be a part of the team at Salem Web Network. You can find her entire library of books on her Amazon Author Page.