Why You Judging Me?!?

Today is Tuesday staff meeting at Freedom Life and Pastor Sam hit on some things this morning about judging  that was awesome. After the meeting, I open up Facebook (cause that's what we all do) and the first couple things I read from my news feed are different post about people feeling judged by others. Feeling compelled I want to unpack the difference between Judging and Correction. So here are my random thoughts: 

Just because something can be perceived as negative does not mean it’s judgmental. Some people think anytime you say something that can be taken even remotely negative that you are judging them. (Meanwhile, this is usually only Christians because they feel entitled to go judgment free. In various other scenarios many people expect to be told the truth straight up.} “You were late to work” can be construed negatively by the person walking in 20 minutes late, however, it is also the truth. “I’ve noticed that you’ve really started acting out of character and I’m wondering if everything is okay?” could be taken as judgment or taken as a question from a concerned friend. 

Some people say all judgment is wrong by singling out the verse "Do Not Judge" (Matthew 7:1). It is true that there are certain forms of judgment that we are not meant to make. The above verse is referring to one of these forms. However, there are instances where the Bible says that we need to judge. We need to read other verses and not only the one above. 

Correction is not judgment, as the Bible says that we should correct, rebuke and be bold to those who are sinning. It is to be done in an act of caring for them in the hope that they will believe. That way we could contribute to the saving of a soul. If we don't, we could be responsible for suppressing the truth which could mean eternal death instead of eternal life for that person. 

"James 5:20 My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins.Where the Bible says do not judge, it could actually mean judging whether someone is born again or not born again. This is because in doubtful cases only God can be the judge of this. The form of judgment that this verse says not to do could also be referring to a form of judgment that a person makes when they despise a sinner, while at the same time believing that they are worthy themselves. We should only correct in a humble way as an act of love. The Bible indicates to boldly correct people in an effort to bring them to repentance. We could say that someone may be eternally separated from God to spur them to repentance. But to say that someone is definitely saved or that they will be eternally separated from God would be wrong. For only God knows who is saved and who is not.

Let's correct those we care about in LOVE and may we not fall I to the trap of saying "Why You Judging Me" when someone is speaking into our lives