I have, like most of you, judged others wrongly. Recently, I was made aware of this again. I attended a Jail Ministry Bible Study. I was a guest; so had time to observe. I didn't know any of the inmates, so had no reason to judge at all. However, we tend to quickly observe the outward appearance and jump to conclusions. One lady, with a shaved head, tattoos, gruff voice, and what appeared to be an indifferent attitude, sat through the hour of study and frankly looked like she was paying little attention. She distracted others; laughing and joking. So, naturally, my first impression wasn't favorable. I sort of wrote her off as not being one who would be reached easily. There were others there who were really into it.
At the end of the service, we sang "Amazing Grace." I felt impressed to give some detail about John Newton and his story of how God turned him around. This woman, who looked to be so hard, began to cry. Tears were pouring down her cheeks pretty well the whole song. I was ashamed. I had judged her, knowing nothing of her story. Her heart actually had some softness there. At that point, I was reminded that God is the only person who knows the heart and I purposed to try not to judge so quickly again.
I am appalled at the quick judgement expressed on social media for situations that people know nothing about. Especially based only upon information given out by media, which is always biased, or at least incomplete.
I read that judgement is defined as a decision reached after careful consideration of all the information surrounding it. Even then, pass judgement only if necessary. In most of life's affairs, it is not necessary to call a judgement. Let it ride. We probably will never know why some things happen; or why some people react the way they do. Very often, we certainly don't know enough to judge.
I am not speaking of condoning sin or being insensitive to the results of the sin that surrounds us. I am just stating, that in the insensitive, yet sensational world we live in, it's so easy to thrust out our opinion on everything, and really be very ignorant and uninformed because we know little about the situation.
This is why our world is evolving into a divided culture where few people live by the Bible principles of the simple fruits of the Spirit: love, peace, longsuffering, kindness, etc.
Consider this: " Is my opinion going to build up and encourage or create animosity and division?"
I advocate that we all be considerate in our posts as well as any public comments and brush up on good old fashioned manners.....
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