Dear COA family,
Have you ever felt unfairly judged by others? How did it make you feel?
My son often feels this way. Whenever we happen to see him, he is usually on his personal learning device watching one of his favourite YouTube videos. Naturally, as parents, we sometimes conclude that he is spending too much time on entertainment and not enough on his studies. He, however, protests quite strongly and insists that he has only been watching for a short while. It just so happens that whenever we walk past, we catch him at that particular moment.
When we feel unfairly judged by the standards of others, it can be deeply upsetting.
Jesus himself experienced this. In Luke 6, he healed a man whose hand had been withered since birth. Before the eyes of many people, Jesus restored the man’s hand completely.
Yet there was a problem—at least in the eyes of the religious leaders. The miracle took place on the Sabbath, a day on which the Jews were commanded to rest. Instead of rejoicing that a man had been healed, they criticised Jesus for “working” on the Sabbath.
Jesus responded by asking them whether it was right to do good and save life on the Sabbath. Surely God, whose nature is perfectly good, would delight in acts of mercy and compassion. The religious leaders had become so focused on their interpretation of the law that they failed to see God’s heart behind them.
What then should we do in situations of unfair judgments?
First, be confident about the reasons for your actions. If you know that you have acted with integrity and in obedience to God, do not be shaken too easily by criticism. Trust in God’s power and ability both to vindicate you and sustain you in your actions.
Second, be careful not to judge others too quickly. We often evaluate people based on what we see in a brief moment, but we may not know the circumstances they are facing, the pressures they are carrying, or the emotions they are struggling with. Extending grace and seeking to understand before reaching conclusions can make a world of difference.
The apostle James reminds us: “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” (James 1:19)
As we learn to practise judging with God’s standard and wisdom instead of our own, we will be far better equipped to understand others, show grace, and build healthy relationships.
God bless,
Revd Ian