Blog Entries tagged 'judgment'

John 9 - Parenting Skills

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0100

A group that was supposed to be supportive and encouraging could easily leave someone feeling hopeless and useless.

John 9:1-41

Reference: v.2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” (NIV Bible)

Explore: I was once involved in a playgroup in our local community. Mothers with young children would all come together to play with their children as a whole group. It was a good way for mothers to get out of the house and socialise with other people in a similar stage of life. The only downside in having a group of people all with young children is they could not help but compare. One two-year-old was talking fluently yet another was still on single-word statements; one three-year old obeyed their parent's command where another was testing the boundaries; one child was sleeping straight through the night where another was still sleeping in their parent's bed. When the comparisons came out it was hard not to make a judgement on the parent. A group that was supposed to be supportive and encouraging could easily leave someone feeling hopeless and useless.

Application: When Jesus and his disciples were travelling around they noticed a man born blind. The disciples asked if the man was blind because of his sin or his parent's sin. If the question were asked today it would seem absolutely ridiculous. We know that birth defects are not caused because of someone breaking the law. However, in the time of Jesus, when science was not as advanced, it was common thought that someone was unwell or disabled due to their, or their parent's, salvation status. With today's advanced medical knowledge it seems ridiculous to think such things... and yet we still find ourselves making those kinds of judgements. How many people have thought that a young person is on drugs or breaking the law because of their parent's parenting skills? Or maybe a child throws a tantrum because their parents are not firm enough? It brings us back to the playgroup mums who could easily have made a judgement on a parent due to the development of their child. Fortunately for us it doesn't matter what our parents were like or what our medical status may be. Jesus desires to connect with all of us and nothing can get in his way.

Prayer: Lord, while we don't always understand why things take place, we thank you for being someone who looks beyond our past, our upbringing and our behaviour and looks straight to our hearts. Amen.

What are you allowing to get in the way of your relationship to Jesus?

John 8 - Perfect Driving

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0100

It's during these moments that I think of myself as perfect and everyone should lift their game to get up to my standards.

John 8:1-59

Reference: v.7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” (NIV Bible)

Explore: Sometimes I forget that I'm not perfect! This lapse of reality comes upon me particularly when I am driving my car. When I am out on the road I become super critical of other people's driving abilities. I can't stand it when people don't use their indicators; I get frustrated when people drive below the speed limit; and I can't stand drivers who don't know how to merge into roundabouts. Whenever I am driving and I come across one of these traffic offenders I sigh out loud, wave my hands across the dash board and sarcastically think, "Clearly the indicator is too far away from you... being located directly under your right hand!" It's during these moments that I think of myself as perfect and everyone should lift their game to get up to my standards. However, it doesn't take long until I show my own imperfections... this usually comes at the exact moment when I'm required to parallel park! It's at the point that I realise that I'm not perfect either. While I may always use my indicator I have some significant driving flaws of my own.

Application: Many of us would not confess that we are perfect, but whenever we judge someone else we are putting ourselves above them. If I look down on someone because of what they say, how they dress or what they do then I am automatically thinking that I am better than they are. This is not a new flaw of humanity. Jesus found that many people were judgemental of others when He walked this earth. A great example of this is the story of the woman caught in adultery who is thrown before Jesus to be stoned. We may not be out to kill someone because of their behaviour but if we judge them in our minds that is just as bad. You are more than welcome to judge other people... but only if you are perfect yourself!

Prayer: Lord, it is so easy to compare ourselves with other people. We can never fully understand where they are coming from, and yet we judge them anyway. May we see people with Your eyes and aim to build them up rather than tear them down. Amen.

Listen out for your thoughts today. How many times do you judge those around you?

John 7 - Brainstorm Session

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0100

It's not a time to make decisions but a chance to be creative and think outside the box.

John 7:1-53

Reference: v.24 "Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment.” (NIV Bible)

Explore: I start to squirm everytime I'm in a meeting and someone mentions the term 'brainstorm'. The true definition of a brainstorm is that you throw all of your ideas out to the group. It's not a time to make decisions but a chance to be creative and think outside the box. However, often to get one good idea you have to go through a lot of terrible ideas. But it all seems worth it in the end when you come out with a good idea. The challenge with brainstorming is that you open yourself up to judgment. Because you haven't had a chance to think through your idea thoroughly, it may truly be a terrible idea. But that's the price you pay in the hope that others will work together to make the final idea brilliant. I find that often people are very quiet in brainstorming sessions because they are too worried about putting their idea forward. They think that people will judge them on the ideas that they present in a brainstorming session. When this happens the brainstorming session fails, as people are not willing to throw any idea into the ring. The idea they hold back could have been the catalyst to bring out the brilliant idea in the end.

Application: We are often bound by other people's judgments. We are conscious of other people's thoughts on what we wear, what we eat, what we drive and where we work. And yet people's judgments are not always correct. People are known for making judgments on people's outward appearance rather than what is truly in their hearts. No one was more aware of this than Jesus. He was judged harshly on where He was born, who He hung out with, what He said and what He ate. And yet that did not stop Him from living the way that God desired. It is important for us to be aware of how we present ourselves to others, however we must not allow other people's judgments to stop us from living according to God's will.

Prayer: Lord, when we are looking for approval may we focus on Your thoughts, not on the thoughts of others. Amen.

Who do you look to for approval?

Beard, Bible, Bad Breath

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0100

"You were expecting a bloke - beard, bible, bad breath..."

Luke 20:20-40

Reference: v.39 Some of the teachers of the law responded, "Well said, teacher!" (NIV Bible)

Explore: When I tell people that I am a minister of religion I often get some pretty interesting responses. The most common response is that of surprise. Not only am I female but I am also fairly young. People's perception of a priest or a minister is an unfit, grey-haired, conservative gentleman. Now I know that many clergy do not fit into this category, but it always seems to take people by surprise when we don't. I love the first episode of the Vicar of Dibley when the new vicar introduces herself to the congregation for the first time. The Vicar responds to their surprised looks by saying, "You were expecting a bloke - beard, bible, bad breath... And instead you got a babe with a bob cut and a magnificent bosom." I guess we don't always fit into people's stereotypes.

Application: I must admit, often when I think of the Pharisees and the Sadducees from the Bible I lump them all into the same box. The common theme of the religious teachers and leaders throughout the gospels was that they were judgmental of Jesus and always looking for a way to trap Him. And yet, it seems that their ranks were divided. In this passage we hear of some teachers throwing difficult questions at Jesus but also some teachers appreciating his wisdom. While they all might carry the same title, they certainly had differing views from each other. It is hard not to place stereotypes on people but we must remember that we are all created differently. Our God does not lump us all in the one box but sees us for the individual that He created us to be. May we not limit other people by our own perceptions but see each person as unique creations from God.

Prayer: Lord, it is easy for us to judge other people by their career or the people they associate with. Help us to appreciate each part of Your creation and see each person being made in Your image. Amen.

Who have you judged incorrectly?

Foreign People

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0100

People are so judgmental of others, and unfortunately I have to include myself in that category.

Luke 10:1-42

Reference: v.36 "Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" (NIV Bible)

Explore: The other day I was out the front of my house when two gentlemen walked past. I am not sure of their exact nationality but they were wearing their traditional clothing with turbans. While I do live in a fairly multi-cultural part of Melbourne, usually guys in my neighbourhood just wear jeans and a t-shirt. While this traditional dress was not foreign to me, it was a little out of the norm. As the gentlemen came closer I made a concerted effort to be polite to them. I smiled and asked them how they were going and we had a brief conversation about the weather as they walked past. After our brief encounter I was rather pleased with myself. I felt quite righteous that I had not allowed myself to be prejudice against someone who looked different to me. However, a secondary thought sent me reeling. The fact that I had to tell myself to be polite to these gentlemen revealed in me that I do actually have some deeply embedded fear against people who look different to me. I should not have felt righteous for being polite but should have been disappointed in myself that I thought that being polite was an option.

Application: People are so judgmental of others, and unfortunately I have to include myself in that category. As we get older we think that being wiser is just being more sceptical of other people. We see things on the news and in the media and think that could happen to us and so we block ourselves from anyone and anything we do not recognise. And yet, when Jesus tells the all-familiar story of the Good Samaritan we are reminded that we must look beyond ourselves and do our best to reach out and help other people. We must not look at the outward appearance but be more like God and look at people's hearts.

Prayer: Lord, forgive me when I judge people for their outward appearance. May you give me the insight to see people for who You have created them to be. Amen.

Who have you misjudged from a first impression? Who do you need to give a second chance to?

Score Out Of 10

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0100

She still feels that every time she gets up to read that people are judging her and giving her a score out of 10.

Luke 7:1-50

Reference: v.33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, He has a demon.' (NIV Bible)

Explore: A friend of mine was telling me the other day how she feels so nervous getting up to do the Bible reading at church. She was always conscious of being rostered on to read in front of the church but a little conversation has kept her nerves on the edge. A member of the congregation came up to her one Sunday and said that he and his son give a score out of 10 every time someone reads. She had done really well that day and so they had given her a 10. While this was meant to be a compliment at the time, it has stuck with her for many years. She still feels that every time she gets up to read that people are judging her and giving her a score out of 10.

Application: Jesus was constantly judged by what He said and did. Anyone who was willing to stand up for what they believe is judged and criticised according to other people's perceptions. Even John the Baptist was criticised when he was diligent in keeping the laws and commandments. Sometimes we can feel like that too. It's like every day we're getting a score out of 10. And yet Jesus shows us how he responds to people who were often judged by the religious leaders. In this chapter alone we have Jesus showing compassion to a widow and a 'sinful woman'. These two women would have been judged as some of the lowliest in the community and yet Jesus changes their lives dramatically. When you are feeling judged and harshly critiqued, remind yourself how much Jesus cared for those who were hurting.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for showing us the true meaning of acceptance. Help us to recognise your never-ending love and be willing to do the same for others. Amen.

Who is your harshest critic?

The Judging Panel

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

As soon as we meet people we start making assessments on their appearance, their use of language and their reaction to situations.

1 Corinthians 4:1-21

Reference: v.3 I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. (NIV Bible)

Explore: The birth of reality television has expanded the scope of the judging panel. No longer are people chosen or rejected by a group of experts or those educated in a particular field, but people are now judged by anyone with the ability to use the telephone. It's like the average person has become a connoisseur on human behaviour, singing and performing. But let's face it, whether we have the ability to judge or not, we judge regardless. As soon as we meet people we start making assessments on their appearance, their use of language and their reaction to situations. And yet, if we put ourselves through the same sieve of assessments I don't think even we would come out clean.

Application: We can often live our lives striving to pass the judgments of others. And yet the only opinion we should really concern ourselves with is that of God's. People will judge us regardless of our actions or intentions but God is able to judge us based on our hearts. He sees who we really are. As we respond to situations and make decisions for our future we should not solely fixate our thoughts on the opinions of others but look to the thoughts of God.

Prayer: Lord, often the voices around me drown out Your thoughts. Help me to hear You. Amen.

How have other people's judgments affected you?

How Quickly We Judge

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

From the 75 seconds of watching Judge Judy I had already decided who was guilty and yet I hadn't even heard any of the real evidence.

Deuteronomy 19:1-21

Reference: v.18a The judges must make a thorough investigation

Explore: The other day I was watching the TV whilst eating lunch. When I flicked over the channel I noticed that Judge Judy was on. This is a TV show set in a court room where we witness Judy Sheindlin arbitrating over small claims cases. On this particular day Judge Judy was in the middle of a case trying to discern exactly what had happened in a fight between two women. The plaintiff kept telling the court about statements the defendant had said about her to other people, interactions between the defendant and her boyfriend, and how she suspected the defendant had damaged her car three months ago (although there were no witnesses and she had no proof of this). Judge Judy kept stopping her and saying, "I don't care about those things, tell me about this fight." The plaintiff was trying to give Judge Judy the bigger picture, however the accusation levelled at the defendant was not about gossip or back stabbing or car damage. The plaintiff was accusing the defendant of hurting her in an unprovoked fight and that is all that Judge Judy wanted to hear about. Luckily I had the power to change the channel but poor Judge Judy had to stick around to try to get to the bottom of the situation.

Application: Besides the fact that I don't have a legal degree, there is very little chance that I would become a judge. It can be rather difficult to get to the truth of a situation sometimes. We all bring our own agendas, feelings and suspicions with us so it's almost impossible not to be biased. Even from the 75 seconds of watching Judge Judy I had already decided who was guilty and yet I hadn't even heard any of the real evidence. We can be very quick to judge other people, even before we understand who they are and where they have come from. While the legal professionals base their jobs around judgments I think our everyday lives would be better off if we limited the judgments we made. We need to stop judging our neighbours by the raised voices we hear over the fence; we need to stop judging parents by how their children behave in public; we need to stop judging colleagues by how much they earn. Let's leave the judgments to the courtrooms and to our God, the only One who understands the whole story.

Prayer: Lord, I find myself judging other people so quickly and so harshly. And yet I know that we have all sinned and fall short of your glory. As You have loved me, may I extend that love to all other people. Amen.

Is there someone who you have judged harshly that needs a second chance?

Harsh Judgments

linda@dailydevotions.com.au — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0100

The funniest thing of all was that I, the most average looking Australian, was to judge the looks of all these beautiful Filipino girls.

Deuteronomy 17:1-20

Reference: v.7 The hands of the witnesses must be the first in putting him to death, and then the hands of all the people. (NIV Bible)

Explore: 'When you point your finger it's important to notice the three fingers pointing back at yourself.' During one of my visits to the Philippines I discovered that I had been nominated to be a judge at a beauty contest. I had no idea what I was doing or how I was to judge each category of fashion wear and there were few people around me who could explain it all in English! The funniest thing of all was that I, the most average looking Australian, was to judge the looks of all these beautiful Filipino girls. Who was I to sit there and judge others on their beauty and fashion?!

Application: I felt so out of place judging all these beautiful young girls in the beauty pageant because I knew that I was no beauty myself. Who was I to judge these girls? And yet in my every day life I am actually quite a critical person. I judge people's actions, their speech, their integrity and their outward appearance. And when I do it's like I turn a blind eye to all my own failings. In this passage in Deuteronomy we hear of the fairly severe punishment that was delivered to the Israelites if they were found to be worshipping other gods. While death was a harsh punishment I thought that it was interesting that those who accused the person had to be there to throw the first stone. It wasn't just an easy accusation to make and then walk away from all responsibility, but the person accusing the other of such a sin had to be seen by all others that they had the right to throw such a harsh judgment on someone else. When we judge others we often throw criticism out before really critiquing our own lives. We point the finger and ignore the three fingers pointing back at us. The laws that God gave the Israelites were not to be used lightly but to allow everyone to strive to evaluate their own lives.

Prayer: Lord, I am often so quick to judge others. Help me to see other people with love and not forget my own sinfulness. Amen.

Is there someone who you have judged harshly or unfairly?