Elize About Faith

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Luke 6:37 (NIV)

A few years ago, God revealed something about me that I had never really paid attention to. Although I’ve always considered myself humble in my own way, I carried a strong tendency to judge others for their choices. Quietly, in my thoughts, I would criticize them—shaking my head in disapproval, believing that my judgment was harmless.

But one day, I was confronted by the realization that what I had long overlooked was something Jesus had clearly warned against. I had crossed a boundary He set for us.

It made me wonder how often we judge others without even noticing it. You only need to open the news or scroll through tabloids to see judgment on full display. You can only look at celebrities, politicians, strangers passing by—people we feel disconnected from. Criticism is everywhere—so common that it begins to feel normal. But I was reminded of a simple and humbling truth: they are all God’s children too.

And then it hit me.

I have stood at the center of judgment many times in my life, and yet I spent so much time judging others.

The ultimate test came for me when people close to me were hurt by the actions of others, I had to make a conscious decision to step back—to release my need to judge and condemn. Instead, something shifted. I felt a growing desire to pray for those people instead, people whom God will judge in His own time. Judging others was never my role and isn’t anyone’s role.

Rather than condemning them, I began to plead for them in prayer. Instead of allowing hatred to take root, I chose love—praying that they would repent, seek God’s forgiveness and experience His mercy and salvation. It doesn’t make me approve of their actions but I could not bring myself to judge them.

As I continued to let go of judgment, God brought to my attention a judgment I had carried for a long time.

While reading the story about Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt, I realized how harshly I had judged the Israelites. I questioned how they could turn their backs on God so quickly—worshiping Egyptian gods after witnessing God’s miracles. How could they doubt Him after everything He had done? How could they lose patience with His timing and believe slavery in Egypt was better than freedom in the wilderness?

Yet God had already passed judgment on their rebellion. In His time, He allowed them to wander the desert for forty years.
“So, as the Holy Spirit says: ‘Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the wilderness, where your ancestors tested and tried Me, though for forty years they saw what I did.’” Hebrews 3:7–9 (NIV)

This realization humbled me deeply. God had already dealt with their disobedience. My judgment added nothing. What remained for me was to listen, to learn, and to soften my own heart—so that I would not repeat the same mistakes in my own wilderness. Judgment belongs to God alone.

If you are finding yourself stuck in the grips of judging others, use this prayer to ask God to help and guide you.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Holy is your name. You are the Lord of all things and the Judge of all Judges!

Thank you for gently opening my eyes to the ways judgment has lived quietly in my heart. Thank you for Your patience with me as You teach me to see others through Your eyes and not my own.

Lord, help me to lay down every desire to judge, condemn, or elevate myself above others. Remind me daily that I, too, am in need of Your grace and mercy. Soften my heart when it grows hard, and humble me when pride tries to take root.

Teach me to respond with prayer instead of criticism, with love instead of anger, and with compassion instead of condemnation. When I am tempted to judge, lead me back to the cross—where mercy triumphed over judgment.

Help me to listen when You speak, to trust Your timing, and to walk in obedience even when the path feels uncertain. May my life reflect Your love, and may my words and thoughts bring You glory.
I place my heart in Your hands, Lord.

Amen.

Bible references:
Read the books of Exodus and Leviticus
Also read Hebrews 3 and Luke 6:37-42

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Scripture on Judging Others

Jesus consistently reminded His followers that judgment belongs to God alone. He warned that the standard we use on others will be the same one applied to us:
“For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
— Matthew 7:2 (NIV)

The apostle Paul echoed this truth, reminding believers that we are not qualified to sit in God’s place:
“You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.”
— Romans 14:10 (NIV)

James, too, offers a sobering reminder that mercy—not judgment—is the mark of a heart transformed by God:
“There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?”
— James 4:12 (NIV)

These verses reaffirm a humbling truth: judgment is not our assignment. Love, mercy, prayer, and obedience are.