An Important Reason Why We Need to Speak Gently and Stop Judging
I’ve been blogging for more than 12 years, and I don’t remember ever receiving the kind of verbal attacks on my faith like I have in recent months.
Technology has put a powerful weapon into the hands of social media and those who use it. Studies show that the vast majority of “chatter” on line is negative and condemning. And Christians are even “calling out” one another.
Sadly, there is strong evidence that these platforms have been devastating to many—especially young people. Despair, depression and even suicide have tragically impacted people in increasing numbers.
Once again, as Solomon wrote. . .
History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new.
Ecclesiastes 1:9
The format may be different but the problem remains the same. Paul wrote:
So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.
Romans 14:10,12–13
Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.
Most of us don’t want to think about Paul’s reminder to use all our words carefully, wherever they appear, mindful that we each will stand personally accountable before the Lord.
Jesus made us righteous . . . but not so we can be self-righteous.
He makes us righteous to speak His truth gently with kindness and respect.
When you and I stand before God and give a personal account of our lives, we won’t be worried about what our Christian neighbor or any neighbor has done.
Yes, there are Scriptural truths on which the church should never compromise but too often our moral judgments are based on our own opinions or the current cultural climate.
So, let’s pray and ask the Lord to help us speak the truth gently with love and choose our words carefully with kindness and respect.
A Prayer to Speak Gently and Stop Judging
Father, It’s humbling and even a little terrifying to think that I will stand before Your judgment seat one day and give an account for my life. I can quickly and easily think of so many ways I have failed to fully trust and obey Your will. Were it not for Jesus . . . I would not be able to come before You at all. Yet, by Your grace, through Him, I am forgiven and redeemed.
Jesus said that I should take the “log” out of my own eye before I worry about the “speck” in my neighbor’s. (Matthew 7:3) Please forgive me and help me. It is so tempting and easy to jump on the judgment bandwagon. Sometimes it seems like judging and “condemning” others has become our national pastime. Please help us.
Please help me make it a personal goal to choose my words carefully, wherever I share them. Help me SEEK to KNOW Your truth and help me speak that Truth gently and kindly. Help me treat everyone with respect. Help me treat others the way I want them to treat me. Help me love like Jesus . . . who lived an obedient life of TRUTH, who spoke the TRUTH, and who taught us how to love. Help me live a life of goodness, peace, and joy in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Paul went on to say:
For the Kingdom of God is . . . living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too. So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.
Romans 14:17–19
The Lord wants so much more for us than the pain we cause by fighting and condemning. May we, by His grace and with His help, commit to speaking the Lord’s Truth gently that we might build each other up and live united by His love.
On today’s note write:
Lord, help me speak gently, stop judging, and love like Jesus.
May God bless you today as you pause and pray to choose your words carefully so you can speak gently.
Thank you for your posts Deb,they are such a blessing to me.
Thank you for your kindness, Melanie! You truly blessed my day! God be with you!
Witnessing what is going on in these times, especially on social media, makes me so incredibly sad and disturbed. Too many people, it seems, just can’t stop judging others. It’s one reason I quit Facebook, Deb – I found it so depressing. May we walk in love as Jesus taught us, and be slow to judge others.
Blessings!
Amen, Martha! By His grace alone can we touch others with His love. Have a wonderful day, my friend!
This was just what I needed, Deb. Thank you for your continued faithfulness to the Lord and spurring us on in honoring Him! With gratitude for you, Erin
Thank you, Erin! I am blessed by your kindness. God be with you!
Wow, seriously?????????????????
You know I told my husband this morning (before I read this) that I love Jesus Calling & that I think yours is just as good but better because you read the Bible with it & that you need to have this in a book!
From my point of view, you have ALWAYS spoken Gods word in TRUTH, with extreme HUMBLENESS , KINDNESS, & JOY!
I have been subscribed to soooo many devotionals over the years. , too many & have had to delete some because I can’t read them all. Yours for sure is my favorite! And that’s saying a lot because I have several I really love but if time is short, it’s for sure, “Counting my blessings”????
Thank you for the time & love that you put into this. Your God given gift is a gift to so so many.
So blessed to be going through the Bible this time with you., your wisdom & humble loving heart have opened my eyes to things I had missed in the past & I am forever grateful????
Keep up the great work!
“Well done good and faithful servant”
Matt. 25:23
Kathie, you absolutely made my day!! Thank you so much! What a wonderful word of encouragement. Thanks for reading with me. I pray that God generously pours over you the blessing of encouragement that you so generously pour over others. Thanks again! God be with you and bless you today and always!
Hi Deb, I think a lot of people are concerned with the responses on social media and other plat forms. I hurts me to see how my country and others are deteriorating. Yes the world has been here before almost from the beginning of time. We still haven’t learned. To my brothers and sisters in Christ never lose sight of why we are here and what our purpose is. Even if we touch 1 person on social media, or wherever we are, then we are doing God’s work. Remember Paul said even the negative things Christians say is getting the word out there. Deb, thank you for spreading the word with love and respect. We need more of this.
Thank you, Marilyn, for your encouragement. I love Rick Warren’s quote – “You were made for God’s pleasure.” We are created for the purpose of glorifying Him in all we do and say. What a difference we could make if we remembered that in all of our interactions with one another. God be with you and bless you!
Blessings Deb, I am not and never have been on any social media, but I find even watching some news programs, I can get so spiritually angry and so depressed about all that is being said. And therefore I pray, because I do feel they are enemies. It breaks my heart, for them! The ones who condemn and ridicule my faith. So many Bible verses come to mind, but I read a quote a long time ago and can’t even remember the author, to give credit to it, but something along the lines of “those that do not like to listen , become really good at judging!” All I can say to all those non believers, is that someday, they will know…the KING of the universe is coming back for His children!! We all love you Deb, and know what a heart for God you have!! I will be praying for you!
Kathy, you’re such a faithful source of encouragement to me. Thank you! I keep praying that more and more people will come to know His love and amazing grace. He truly is the KING and I can’t imagine trying to live a moment without Him. God bless you, my sweet friend!
We need to be slow to anger and quick in mercy. To walk humbly with our Lord everyday of our lives. Deb you speak God’s truth in such a gentle way and I know I’m not alone when I say this….your daily devotional speaks to all who read it. I’m truly grateful, that I came across ” Counting My Blessings”. Your words and those from scripture enrich my life. May God continue to inspire you. You are a blessing to us all. If we can be anything in this life, it’s to be ‘kind’. To love as Jesus taught us. To love our God with all our hearts and love our neighbour as ourselves. Sometimes we can be quick to judge others. That belongs to God not us…..when we fall into this way of thinking, once we realise this, we can go to Jesus and say we are sorry. He came so that we can be saved and forgives us. This gift is for all of us who are truly sorry and change our ways.
Angela – Ireland
Angela – Ireland
Amen, Angela! It’s not easy, for sure. I try to imagine what the other person might be going through at the time. I know I need much grace, especially on difficult days. With God’s help, I want to be the extender of grace for others . . . even when they’re a little cranky. God bless you!
God bless you ! You are a blessing to many of us. ❤️????????
Thank you, Gladys! Your kind encouragement is truly a blessing! God be with you!
So good and so sadly true. God help us to hold our tongues and live in love.
Thank you, Pam! God bless you!
Thank you Deb,
I love reading your posts and always find them so uplifting and pertinent. I am so grateful to have found your blog. You are truly a blessing in my life.
Thank you so very much, Lisa! Your encouragement means so much to me! God bless you!
I wish people would remember the phrase I was taught and I .tried to teach my children. “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all”. It’s a pity FaceBook and such, can’t put a code in to weed out the nasty ones.
I agree, Angela! That was a phrase I heard when growing up, too. It certainly would make a difference, wouldn’t it. God be with you and bless you!