message5b

THE WHY

We are also creatures of excuse and reason. In every one of our judgements, there is always a good explanation of why we did right. We judge based on our experiences and backgrounds, be it educational, cultural or religious. We tend to see things based on our own value systems that were shaped by those things that had impressed us in life. As each has their own variation of a value system, though to a large extent fairly common, we tend to focus on the extremes. And that brings us always into conflicts. Judgement is passed ever so easily and people, including ourselves, get hurt in the process.

When we complain, we are judgemental. When we don't like something, we are judgemental. When we say that something is wrong, we are judgemental. And this happens naturally. Remember the effects of the original sin? We are sinful creatures in God's eyes and we are always showing it.

In many instances, when we are stressed, when we are troubled, when we are oppressed, when we are angry, we tend to judge even more and think less of what we judge. We will always see that we are right and that everybody else is wrong. Don't you see yourself like that sometimes? Or is it all the time?

Whatever the reason may be, it is always because the other person did it. The reason is never ourselves because we are proud creatures, another effect of sin. Do you know that whenever we judge another to be wrong, we are automatically saying that we are right? That we are good? That we are better? And if the effects of the judgement are passed on, we feel good about it? Did you realise that this is the effect of sin?

Being judgemental shows that we are being selfish, that we only think of ourselves albeit during that time of passing the judgement. Selfishness permeates all mankind. It is in us, in you, in me. And that is sin.

So why are we judgemental? Because of selfishness, pride, self righteousness, etc., everything to do with sin but we tend not to call by that name.

It is a good thing that God does not judge us like we judge others. Let us take a moment to thank God that He is faithful and righteous and loving and gracious, giving us the chance to live right before Him and to do good to others.

SO WHAT

What can we do about it? Do you want to do something about that temper of yours? Do you feel that your anger is justified? Do you want to make others happy? Do you want to pass less judgement? As long as you want to do better, God is willing.

Many people attend motivational seminars, life enhancement workshops and other similar events to improve their lives, to live better. We try but we will always fail. We cannot change nature. Our natural self is always judgemental and that very essence always cause friction and distrust amongst people, amongst friends, amongst family. No matter what we attend to learn, we will never be better.

Let's face it. We have heard that a leopard cannot change its spots. We cannot change our nature by ourselves either. A sinner cannot help another sinner become sinless. That is something we must first face up to.

Second and most important. Only God can change us. When you believe in Jesus Christ, you have become "a new creation, old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." (2 Cor 5:17) Only when we are newly created can we shake this judgemental nature of ours away. God, through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross, did just that for us. Remember, when you believe in Jesus Christ, you have been "crucified with Christ, it is no longer I (you) who live, but Christ lives in me (you); and the life which I (you) now live in the flesh I (you) live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me (you) and gave Himself for me (you)." (Gal 2:20)

Continued ...