Thursday, October 21, 2010

Judge Not

A few weeks ago as I waited my turn to check out at the grocery store, I suddenly became a judgmental woman. It was not pretty.

The customer in front of my separated his groceries and used food stamps to buy a portion of them, then opened his wallet (I could not help but see it.) filled with 100 dollar bills and paid for beer, cigarettes and other items not covered by food stamps.

Suddenly, I was judging him. My 1st evil thought was: Maybe if you didn't spend so much money on your tattoo sleeves, tattoos on your neck, tattoos on your legs you could pay cash for all your groceries. Seriously his tattoos and spending habits are not my business. God did not make me the food or tattoo police.

I don't know his story. For all I know he's recently lost his job. His wife or child might be ill. He could be on disability due to an injury. I have no idea. I don't need to have an idea. I need to have godly thoughts. I am not the Ancient of Days.

I climbed off God's throne and thought Annette, why don't you pray for this man. God knows his needs, God knows his heart, God loves him so much He sent His Son to save him.

I need to remain grounded in Scripture and apply it to my life. I want to see all people with the eyes of Jesus and love all people with the heart of Jesus. I want to live the following verses out in my life:

Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

3 comments:

Unknown said...

Wow! Thanks for the reminder. I need to concentrate on the very large log in my eye.

Sheryl

Cheryl Barker said...

It would be so easy to judge in a situation like that. A good reminder to try to give people the benefit of the doubt...

luvmy4sons said...

Amen to this post. Thanks for your transparency sister. I too have done this and not just with strangers. So often with those I know and love. I am still in need of my Savior daily.