Are You Judging Me?

Everyone does it, so don't get all bent out of shape about it and start throwing around Matthew 7 verse 1 without reading on further, taking into consideration the full context of the chapter.
We use this verse out of context quite frequently, usually because someone pointed out a flaw in or actions, beliefs, or thinking and we become offended. We say things like "Who do you think you are! Your not my judge! You don't even know me! Only God can judge me."

If someone came to you and said, 'You are a very thoughtful and wise person, you always seem to have the right answer for me that helps me through the difficult times in my life.' Would you then answer, 'Hey, who do you think you are to judge me, why don't you mind your own business!' No, you would not respond in such a manner because you were judged favorably.
When a teacher grades the papers of their students, finding errors in their work, the students answer has been judged to be wrong.

We rarely stop to consider what another's motive is for confronting us about a particular issue, and a failure to consider this can be foolish.

Recently, I had an experience with someone who was enraged because of my disapproval of an online post of theirs. The post was clearly profane and vulgar and I had seen it many times before from others, however, I chose to comment because this post came from a professing Christian and I thought surely this would not cause a firestorm. My disapproving comment was nothing more than this symbol :( They were furious that I had judged them so harshly, and proceeded to judge me with very strong and bitter language even though I only expressed a dislike of the post with a symbol.

Unrighteous external anger reveals much about our inward heart, and I've surely expressed my share of unrighteous anger as well.

Some of the most eye-opening experiences in my life came because someone confronted me regarding a sin in my life and even confrontations about misunderstandings I had about the truth of scripture.
I also found out rather quickly that just because I was taught something about God's word didn't make it necessarily true, it wasn't until I diligently studied the scriptures for myself and sought out the wisdom of godly men, who loved the Lord and lived out the scriptures, was my understanding about the truth of God's word revealed to me in a greater way. Because of this, I had to abandon some of the faulty understanding I had and replace it with truth. The more we not only read, but study the scriptures, the more evident it is when we hear scripture quoted wrongly. Christians will always desire to direct others toward the path of righteousness. Yes, only God can judge our eternal destiny but He has also placed followers of His in our path for direction as we all seek to glorify Him.

We clearly see throughout scripture righteous and unrighteous judgement practiced, but before we are so quick to accuse someone of unrighteousness judgement we should first consider this: Since we were created to glorify God in all that we say and do and to desire Him above all things, we should be aware that other believers have that desire for us as well.

We must examine our hearts and motives regularly to see if there is anything present that would bring dishonor to God.

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. (2 Timothy 2:15-17 NASB)

The questions should rather be...

The questions should rather be... (J.R. Miller)

"Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows." John 16:33

True victory is not found in escaping or evading trials--but in rightly meeting and enduring them. The questions should not be, "How can I get out of these worries? How can I get into a place where there shall be no irritations, nothing to try my temper, or put my patience to the test? How can I avoid the troubles which continually harass me?" There is nothing noble in such living. The soldier who flees when the battle approaches, is no hero; he is a coward.

The questions should rather be, "How can I pass through these trying experiences--and not fail as a Christian? How can I endure these struggles--and not suffer defeat? How can I live amid these provocations, these reproaches and testings of my temper--and yet live sweetly, not speaking unadvisedly, bearing injuries meekly, returning gentle answers to insulting words?"

"He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be My son!" Revelation 21:7