Thought for Day - Monday 9 August

Thought for Monday 9 August Romans 2:1 NIVUK You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. I wonder how many of us are guilty of judging others. There have been times when I have been guilty of this, judging someone without knowing their circumstances. As we get older it’s to be hoped that we find ourselves more sensible. There are usually reasons for a person to act the way they do, reasons that we know nothing about. We don’t have any right to know other peoples’ business any more than they have to know ours. Those who judge others are setting themselves up for judgment not only from other folks but from God. In James 2:12,13 it says. Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment. Those who judge others often find themselves worrying about what others think of them. If you are thinking ‘I would never do that or go there’, are you sure that you would never be in the same position as the one you are judging? We do not know what our neighbour/friend or stranger is going through. They may be worried or slipping into a depression. Any number of things could be on their mind. Instead of judging why don’t we pray for them and love them. Be what God means you to be. Speak to them, without being nosy. We don’t want to be judged by other people, there will be judgement enough when we are facing the throne of The Great Judge, so be merciful to folks instead of judging by your yardstick. Be kind to others as God is to you! Prayer Lord God, help us to be able to meet people without judging them, knowing that You are the only Judge of mankind. Remove from us the self-righteous attitude that causes us to imagine we have the right to judge others. Amen.