“Don’t judge me!” can be called out jokingly as we reach for that second piece of cake or eighth piece of pizza. Paul talks about not judging others outside of the church (1 Cor. 5:12). Is this because we can be a stumbling block to them? What if we don’t know where they are in their walk toward the cross?
Within the church we are each already in the process of sanctification- of becoming more like Him; He already has our ear. This is not the case for those who have not surrendered their lives to Him. Historically, too much damage has been done to pre-believers by Christians and this happens when we expect the same behaviors out of them as we do to those in Christ.
The important note here is to watch the content of our hearts. Our faces and our body language grant instant access to what is in there. And when we have something in there that does not belong, such as judgment, it is exposed all over us. The hurt that we cause from this is often unknown to us but be sure that it does not go unnoticed by the sensitive one who is watching you to see what this God you say you live by is like. That can either be a great service, or disservice to Him, and the one who is watching.
“It is not my business to judge those who are not part of the church.”
1 Corinthians 5:12 (NCV)
Encourage us (1 Thessalonians 5:11): What is your heart telling unbelievers about God through your actions?
