We are the architects of our own future, we are building walls, barriers, fences, artillery, whatever it takes to be alone and isolated. Not out of a desire to be alone, but because we are afraid of what people will think of us if they really know us. Afraid that if they know what’s in our hearts the wont like us, let alone love us. We don’t want to be judged, because we equate judgment with punishment and penalty. and we don’t have any desire to do the time for whatever crime we might have commited in our heart.
Let’s be honest for a moment. Take a break from the “I pretend I’m a good christian, I take the bible literally and deny my nature”mask that we wear, and get out of that box for just a few seconds. Becuase the bible is clear, “there is no one righteous, not one,” — Rom 3:10. We are all wicked sinners, even the ones who are living in grace, trying to live a christian lifestyle isn’t the same as pretending we aren’t still sinners. We are. We are sinner saints, no longer condemned for our sin, but still living with sin-stained hearts in a sinful fallen world. still dealing with the worldly physical consequences of our sin nature.
We all judge, sure it’s bad, but we make millions of judgements a day. We keep most of them inside, but we are judging machines. made to evaluate and weigh everything that we percieve. But the real point is, anybody can judge, only someone with authority can convict or punish. Sometimes we convict ourselves, we can’t help but do this, even when it’s wrong. We don’t need to do it, and we shouldn’t. “Vengeance is mine, saith The Lord.” — Rom 12:19, (paraphrased a bit). We can judge, but it is God’s place to convinct and when necessary to punish. Our greatest fear is that someone will judge us and find us guilty and we will agree with them. after all, as people we are often hardest on ourselves. everytime we make a judgement on someone else, it could be said that we are actually crying out against our own sins. It is often the sin in our lives that we hate most in others.
Luckily, and by design, it is easy to get out of this snare and avoid it in the future. criticism, and judging is really a demonic twisting of one of our greatest strengths, the gift of encouragement. We are very much made to uplift one another. And If we focus on this gift, and perform it in love, we will quickly see the judgemental tendencies we harbor fade away. Draft a few of your friends to keep you accountable if you think negativity has a foothold in your life, and be sure to remember that you ASKED them for their help. appreciate them for it, and avoid becoming resentful by voiceing your appreciation for what they are doing in your life.
