The Dangers of Judgmental Thinking
Have you ever caught yourself thinking that someone deserves to be mocked or put in their place? Maybe you’ve even gone so far as to call them a name or two. But is this kind of judgmental thinking really justified?
At first glance, Jesus’ words on the subject might seem extreme. “Anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment,” he says. “Anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.” But what’s behind these strong words?
Valuing People as God Does
The key to understanding Jesus’ teaching is to recognize the value he places on every human being. Each person is made in God’s image, a precious creation worthy of respect. When we criticize or judge others, we’re essentially playing God – sitting on our own throne and declaring ourselves better than them.
But this kind of thinking is not only arrogant; it’s also misguided. We’re all imperfect, and we all mess up. Instead of criticizing others, we need to show humility and acknowledge our own shortcomings.
A Better Way
So what do people need from us instead of critical comments? They need grace, patience, and understanding. They need us to recognize that we’re all in this together, struggling to make sense of life and to live up to our ideals.
A Prayer for Humility
Dear God, thank you for your grace toward me, despite my many flaws. Help me to extend that same grace and patience to others, just as I hope you will do toward me. Amen.
A Challenge to Reflect
Take a moment to reflect on your own behavior. Have you recently criticized or judged someone? Why not take a step back, apologize, and admit that you make mistakes too? By doing so, you’ll not only repair a relationship; you’ll also take a crucial step toward humility and compassion.
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