Walk Softly

Jesus gave us a commandment that a whole lot of folks seem to have forgotten, and that to their own hurt. It goes like this: “Judge not, that ye be not judged” (Mat. 7:1). Now let’s understand that ‘judging’ in the context of this scripture means to condemn. So he was just telling us that we should not have a condemning attitude toward anyone, and there’s a really good reason for that, as he went on to explain: “For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again” (Mat. 7:2). If we really believe the second part of this passage, then I think we’re going to walk real softly in regard to the first part. A good case in point were the Pharisees, who were the main religious leaders, along with the Sadducees when Jesus was here. When Jesus had gained much recognition from the people, the Pharisees were afraid of losing the people’s admiration, and they sent officers to bring him to them. When those officers came back empty handed, the Pharisees demanded of them why they had not brought him back, and the officers replied, “Never man spake like this man. Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived? Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him? But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed” (Jn. 7:32,46-49). Because the Pharisees had a personal axe to grind they decided that the people who believed on Jesus were cursed of God for not knowing the law, and that they were turned over to be deceived by him. The Pharisees judged, or condemned those who believed on Jesus, and that judgment returned into their own bosom, even as Jesus stated in our text passage. You see, it was in fact the Pharisees who were deceived because THEY “knew not the law.” Jesus let them know in no uncertain terms that they did not know, or love, or keep the law (Mat. 23:18-33). Those who trusted that they knew the law, and condemned others for not knowing it, ended up exactly where they THOUGHT that those whom they condemned were at. Those who they condemned for not knowing the law, actually knew the law very well because they recognized the walking embodiment OF the law, and believed (Jn. 1:14). So those whom the Pharisees condemned ended up where the Pharisees THOUGHT that they themselves were at. So it is evident that it would have done the Pharisees a lot of good to have heeded the words of Jesus when he said to not judge, or condemn anyone. Because indeed their condemning judgment of others was measured back to them in the same measure that they meted it out, even as Jesus said it would be.

It is sometimes easy to see that someone is in a wrong, and sometimes it may only appear that they are in a wrong. In either case it is the attitude of HOW you see what you see, or what you think you see that counts. Jesus went on to explain further in Matthew 7:3-5 that having a condemning spirit about someone is a much bigger evil than what someone else may or may not be doing wrong. The apostle Paul also gave us due admonition about how to deal with someone who is failing in some way: “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted” (Gal. 6:1). You may note that his instruction was exactly the same as that given by Jesus. It is also noteworthy that the same warning was issued by Paul for having a condemning spirit about someone else’s fault. The truth is, if we have that judgmental attitude we are merely digging a pit for our own self to fall into because it is certain that our judgment will be meted back to us again (Prov. 26:27; Eccl. 10:8,9). John also gave us some very sound instruction on how to deal with someone that is falling short: “If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death” (I Jn. 5:16). So it is the evident truth that we should never have a judgmental attitude toward anyone, and that if we do, it will turn on us. The good thing about it is, if we HAVE condemned anyone in some way, we will reap that condemnation to ourselves SO THAT we learn to NOT DO SO! God chastens those whom he loves, but if we do NOT gain the benefit of being chastened, and we continue to be judgmental in our thoughts and words, then we run the risk of eventually being regarded by God as “bastard” children (Heb. 12:7,8; Rev. 3:19). And I can tell you by long experience and knowledge that the earmark of being involved with erroneous doctrine is an unmerciful spirit, whereas the chief characteristic of following after truth is having a merciful spirit and attitude toward others, especially those who are overcome by sins of weakness. Reason being we all COME FROM utter weakness, and if we are staying pure before God, we are staying aware of the reality that the only strength we have to live free from sin is through his mercy upon us to do so. On the other hand, if we fail to “keep [our] hearts with all diligence,” and we continue deceitfully in a religious form, then we will have no choice but to measure our righteousness by what we deem to be the UNRIGHTEOUSNESS of others. And therein lies the trap of judging with harsh judgment and reaping that harsh judgment against ourselves. I personally have to say that I love the benefit of being merciful and of reaping much needed mercy from the Lord to myself (Mat. 5:7). Not to mention that it just FEELS so much better! Amen.