Judge Righteously and Walk Humbly

Judge Righteously, Walk Humbly
Devotion by Pastor Alexander Redd
January 9, 2024

"Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment." (John 7:24 NIV).

Jesus teaches us a valuable lesson about judgment. But to truly understand the meaning and importance of His words, we need to know the context in which He spoke.

At that time, Jesus was teaching and performing miracles, which attracted large crowds and stirred up controversy with the religious leaders. In the previous verses of John 7:24, we see these leaders criticizing Jesus for healing on the Sabbath, accusing Him of breaking the law. They judged Him based on appearances and their own ideas of how a righteous person should behave.

But Jesus, being wise and divine, challenges their shallow judgment and reveals a deeper truth. He tells His followers not to judge based on appearances but to judge with fairness. This means using discernment and making righteous judgments in our lives.

The essence of Jesus' words is that we should not be quick to judge based on superficial things. We shouldn't judge solely on how someone looks, our personal biases, or what society expects. Instead, Jesus encourages us to use discernment based on truth, righteousness, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Believers are called to emulate Christ daily, including his teachings on judgment. We should approach others with humility, compassion, and a desire to understand before passing judgment. We should seek to understand people's motives, circumstances, and struggles, knowing that only God truly knows someone's heart.

Jesus' teaching is also about making us aware of our tendency to judge without taking the time to know a person. If we are careful, we can avoid falling into the trap of making quick judgments and being critical. Instead, we should examine our own hearts, acknowledging our flaws and the need for God's grace and mercy in our lives.

Applying Jesus' teaching means having a heart of compassion, empathy, and understanding. It means building bridges instead of walls, showing grace instead of condemnation, and seeing others through the lens of Christ's love. It means being slow to judge, quick to listen, and open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit in every situation.

Remember that God is the ultimate Judge. As believers, our role is not to condemn but to guide others towards the truth and grace found in Jesus Christ. Make an effort to make fair judgments, walk humbly, and reflect the love of Christ to a world that desperately needs his divine wisdom.

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