I often find myself judging others through a harsher lens than the one through which I judge myself. A basic human urge to not find myself worse than others can sometimes result in searching for their sin to assure my heart that I am at least no worse than them, and if I am honest, I admit to hoping to find them worse than me -- and by implication, finding my self better than them. This mindset is sin because it breaks God's command that we not judge. Jesus said - Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. (Luke 6:37)
1- Refuse to receive condemnation. Romans 8:1 says --- There is therefore no condemnation fo those who are in Christ Jesus... In some places the bible speaks of Christ being in us and in others as us being in Christ. Both are true for believers. He is in us by His Spirit and we are in Him by faith. Pastor David Guzik wrote --
The verdict is not “less condemnation.” That’s where many of us are at - we think that our standing has improved in Jesus. It hasn’t improved, it’s been completely transformed, changed to no condemnation.
We don't have less condemnation. In Christ, we have none. Condemnation may be often offered to us by people and by Satan, but we can confidetly refuse it, citing this scripture.
2- Forgive yourself of the sins God has forgiven. Forgiveness is a gift from God. A gift requires a receiver. God freely forgives as we repent, When we truely receive this gift, our sin guilt is erased. This is possible only by the Grace of God. Receive the gift of forgiveness. Let go of guilt and shame. Hebrews 4:15 says -- For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses....
3- Stop collecting offenses. Start seeking opportunities to forgive others. Jesus told Peter to forgive 7 times 70 times in one day to one person's sin. Most of us will never offer that much forgiveness in a day, but we can make a choice to find opportunities to forgive each day. Pray for the Holy Spirit to prod you when those opportunities arrive. Don't allow the magnitude of the offense determine what you will forgive. Jesus forgave His killers even as they were killing Him.
Often our habit of judging has been formed over many years when our flesh dominated our behavior. Now His Spirit dominates. The new has come, the old is gone... But the old flesh may try to claw its way back into our hearts. Intentionaly forgiving can replace the habit of judging.
Recieve the fullness of God's forgiveness, step out from under condemnation and live in the freedom of Christ.
Who can you set free today from your judgement and condemnation?
Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. (Gal 5:1)
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