It’s easy to find faults and mistakes in others’ lives, but it’s much harder to see our own wrongdoings. As Christians, we are called to love our neighbours and to live a humble life that will make people see Christ in us. That includes avoiding judgment and condemnation of others.
There are many lifestyles we should put on as believers, but in this article, we will be focusing on the importance of not judging others unconsciously and how we can strive to see the good in everyone.
Judge Not
In Matthew 7:1-3, Jesus said,
[1] “Judge not, that you be not judged. [2] For with the judgment you pronounce, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. [3] Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?”
Matthew 7:1-3 NKJV
Even though Jesus was speaking to His disciples not to judge others, we can relate it to ourselves and our daily lives too.
Jesus says if we judge others, we open ourselves up to become judged with the same measure of judgment we used. So before we find fault in others, we need to examine ourselves with the help of the Holy Spirit and see if any areas in our lives need improvement, particularly with the fault we identified in other people’s lives.
While it’s not wrong to find fault in others’ lives, it’s significant to do so constructively. Instead of criticising or condemning others, we should seek to correct them lovingly and gently. We should also be willing to receive constructive criticism from others, recognising that we also have room for growth and improvement.
See the Good in Others
[3] “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.”
Philippians 2:3 (NKJV)
Applying this verse to us not judging others, we’ve been called to do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but to, in humility, consider others more significant than ourselves. In other words, we should always seek the good of others. And even if it’s not immediately evident, we must be ready to help them out in difficulties.
Seeing the good in others helps us to be patient and understanding when they make mistakes. It also enables us to correct them constructively rather than criticising them harshly and impolitely.
Just as it takes a while for gold to be purified, it takes time for people to grow and change. So, let’s strive to see the good in others when helping them to be better rather than raging our anger at them for their faults.
Furthermore, seeing the good in others can inspire us to better ourselves. When we recognise the positive qualities in others, we will be inherently inspired to better cultivate those same qualities in our lives. By focusing on the good in others, we can create a more positive and supportive environment for everyone.
My teacher used to say, “The more you help a brother or sister in Math or any other subject, the more you also develop more knowledge and understanding in that particular course”. And it is very true. You begin to find more shortcuts and other alternative solutions on that particular course very well to satisfy your mates’ understanding.
It is the same thing here. You begin to read your Bible very well and other Christian spiritual books to help those who are not on the right path. In a way, you’re also growing spiritually in God.
