JUDGMENT. CRITICISM. FAULT-FINDING.
It happens so easily.
It seems to be the default setting of humankind.
We form our OPINION,
vent our CRITICISM,
find FAULT,
pass JUDGMENT, and,
CONDEMN people…
Sometimes, people we’ve never met,
don’t know,
never had a conversation with, and
certainly aren’t in relationship with…
Sometimes, people we have met,
do know,
had dozens of conversations with, and,
even call them acquaintances, friends and family.
People who are…just like us…very broken, flawed, sinful people.
But, at the same time,
people who are made in the image of God,
deeply loved by God, and,
people loved by other people — a dad, mom, brother, sister or spouse.
Paul, the guy who wrote the book of Romans, challenges us to deal a death blow to our tendency to CRITICIZE, CONDEMN and JUDGE. He basically asks us, “Who do you think you are, anyway?”
Check out Romans 14:4.
“Who are you to JUDGE someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And THEY WILL STAND, for the Lord is able to make them stand.”
—ROMANS 14:4 NIV
That single verse contains four questions we may want to consider before talking trash about another individual.
1) Who are YOU? Do you have a position of responsibility over this individual? Are they “your servant”? If not, the implication is, ZIP IT.
2) Who are THEY? Ultimately, every person you encounter is “someone else’s servant.” Every person ultimately belongs to and is responsible to GOD. And, GOD cares about HIS PEOPLE, even the ones we and even HE disagree with.
3) What is your EXPECTATION? It’s interesting that Paul’s expectation for people is strength, success, breakthrough and victory. He writes, “…THEY WILL STAND…” Is that your default expectation? “Sure, they’re broken and flawed like me… Certainly, they may have made a mistake and fallen down, but, ‘THEY WILL STAND!’” Do you speak about other people with a view towards their victory and success? Are you speaking LIFE or DEATH?
4) Finally, WHAT CAN GOD DO? How would our dialogue about other people change if we truly began to see them as people who have infinite redemptive potential and possibilities because of God! “…they will stand, for THE LORD IS ABLE to make them stand…“
Before making another “snap judgement,” why not take a snap shot of Romans 14:4? Write it on the wall of your heart and mind. Rehearse these four questions. Resist the urge to criticize or condemn. Begin speaking LIFE, VICTORY, SUCCESS and BREAKTHROUGH today.