Friday Fight 81 - The Unjust Justification

Every Friday, when I wake and pray, God places something on my heart to help me fight darkness beginning in our minds. Today is FF81.

How often do we judge others without fully understanding their situation? We are all guilty at some point or another. Yes, we sometimes catch ourselves and can change our thoughts, but what about when we aren't aware of our judgment? Let's look at some areas we may need to bring awareness to.

The Unjust Justification:

Driving to Church, I often travel along a road where many Amish live. It's five curvy miles of farms and shops, along with road sharing of other travel methods; walking or a horse and buggy. One day, while in prayer, the Holy Spirit placed this lesson on my heart. So many people walk a different journey to reach the kingdom of heaven, yet we judge the method and speed with which they walk. I did not feel God placed this on my heart because Christians harshly criticize other Christians, although true in many cases. Instead, a lesson about judgment in general because, as Christians, we should show more grace and not use an unjust justification for our actions.

Think about this narrow, road-sharing trip for a moment. We're attempting to pass multiple buggies with caution while avoiding oncoming traffic. Frustration emerges while desperately trying to arrive on time. Would our frustration lead to the judgment of others in their journey to God traveled in another manner? They look, talk, dress, and present differently due to their beliefs. Yet, they are on a spiritual journey to assemble with their church family, just as we are.

The application of this lesson can spread along any spectrum, even something much closer to us, like our family. We may consider the judgment of those close to us differently than a traveling buggy. However, it may be people quite similar to us that we quickly judge or dismiss. If you are a parent of multiple children, ever wonder why one child brings frustration faster than another? Our judgment is towards the child who resembles us most.

It may be easier to ignore our criticism when it is a person we dislike, but it is still unfair judgment. Perhaps it's the person we have already forgiven or the one we see at the coffee shop but have never met. These all spread along a critiquing spectrum, perhaps less apparent than the buggy. We walk in unjust justification of our actions while condemning the actions of others. For some, judging others in words or actions makes them feel better about themselves. Our judgment is habitual and can begin with an opinion, implication, or less-than-wholesome comment. Then finally, our every sentence sows seeds of judgment. But unlike serving, being kind, or complementing, all of which bring life to the giver and receiver, judging gives no fulfillment.

Darkness loves when we position ourselves in judgmentalism. Those inherently angry or think little of themselves will never be satisfied by the emptiness of their judgmental comments. Being critical does not fill desolate areas of nothingness; it only separates us further from those we love.

This lesson lends itself to possible areas where we have moved beyond our heart of grace. Let's take some time to pray about these needed application areas and try to see others as Christ sees them, from the buggy to our own family.

Pastor Shannon

New Life Calvert