Judging? How ignoring your neighbors denies them salvation
I’ve become aware that I have been standing in the way of heaven, making judgments on who could enter and who couldn’t. I have literally been judging my neighbors, and I never realized it! Ya,ll God has been working something out within my heart, and I want to share it with you.
Conviction in my heart:
I tend to close myself off to my neighbors. “they’re not like me”, “they’ll snicker at what I have to say”, “they’re not gonna listen anyway”. Too many times in the past, I’ve made a determination that a person wasn’t living the “right kind of life” and wouldn’t be tender to the words Jesus would have me speak to them….so I didn’t.
***I want to make a note here-what I was (am) doing is much different from when the bible says not to reprove a scoffer because he will hate you for your reproof (Proverbs 9:8). I wasn’t using discernment. I made judgement before & without praying for folks. I didn’t even give them an opportunity to hear the words of the Bible or let them see what the kindness of Jesus really looks like.
Let’s consider Saul, shall we:
Jesus says to Saul “it is hard for you to kick against the goads” (Acts 9:5-KJV) What Jesus was saying here is, Hey Saul, you’ve been trying to fight it, and it’s getting too difficult isn’t it? See, God had been pricking Saul with conviction, and Saul had been trying to ignore it. God knew what was going on in Saul’s heart, and He knew how long it had been going on. He knew that there, on the road to Damascus, Saul would be ready for the conversion.
What I’ve come to understand is God was working on Saul while nobody even knew it. While Saul was deep in his work, persecuting Christians, he was also working to shake Christ from his own heart.
How can I know the dealings of another mans heart? How do I know if God’s pricking them?
Moving forward:
After studying through Saul’s conversion I had to ask, who am I to stand between hell & salvation making judgement on who’s ready and who isn’t?
I have to be willing recognize that, even if I don’t know it, God may be working in the heart of the very family member that’s been working on my nerves. Or that neighbor I’ve watched from afar, judging, and deciding if they were ready, or worthy to speak to?
Saul was the Antichrist of his day and the mere mention of his name struck fear into the hearts of Christians. Now, while we’ve all encountered difficult people, I can assure you they’re probably not half as bad as Saul!
Friends, I’m taking a stand against my old ways today. I won’t be weary in well-doing, I won’t give up on the people around me, and I won’t let Satan use me as a gatekepper. I WILL be the hands and feet!
After all, Jesus died for me while I was out sinning all over the place! (Romans 5:8) I’d hate for the same ruler I used on others, to be used against me (Matthew 7:2)
I want to share with you the versus that have pricked me
- James 4:11-12 (NIV)
11: Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor? 12: here is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?
- James 4:11-12 (Message)
11-12 Don’t bad-mouth each other, friends. It’s God’s Word, his Message, his Royal Rule, that takes a beating in that kind of talk. You’re supposed to be honoring the Message, not writing graffiti all over it. God is in charge of deciding human destiny. Who do you think you are to meddle in the destiny of others?
- Matthew 7:1 (KJV)
Judge not, that ye be not judged.
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10 Comments
Hey Jen! Great post, I really needed this. As a mom (you know how that is!) feeling backlash or judgment for things you do when you raise your kids (especially if you open your life up to be a public figure or blogger) is so tough.
We’re moving soon, which means I have to find new friends and adjust to a new normal.. normally i close myself off to people because “they won’t understand” or “they’re not like me” etc etc… what I didn’t realize was that I was judging them for fear of being judged!
Oh Justine, I’m so glad you understood this. Sometimes, I have doubts & wonder if my thoughts come out right. This really hit me when a neighbor (who I’ve been ignoring because we obviously have NOTHING in common) opened her mouth and paid me a compliment. It broke my heart in two. In that moment, I could almost hear her calling out to me. Did she see something in me, did God prick her heart? I don’t know, but I’m not willing to stand in the gap between earth and hell. Rather I’ll stand leading the way towards Jesus & heaven. Thank you so much for taking time to read this post. I pray you’re encouraged in your new move to set the tone for your new normal.
Wow, I’ve never thought of it that way – but you are right! I’m judging what my neighbors will say before I even give them the opportunity. Thanks for giving me a little push!
Alyson I never thought of it that way either. Then my neighbor spoke to me and I though “well, she seems pleasant enough” then a wave of guilt came over me. It’s really scary to go out a start speaking, but I think that’s because I need to ask the Lord to help me put aside myself, and put His kingdom first.
Great post!! It’s takes a lot of courage to speak your heart and let people know of your convictions! But your words here are so truthful! Thanks for sharing your heart!
I want to make sure I’m growing and sharing with others, and hearing what thy have to say is vital to that. Thanks for taking time to read!
This is great. I love how you talk about judgment being like a gatekeeper between heaven and hell. I’ve never thought of it that way. Your post confirms for me what God has been speaking to my heart regarding comparison. We just don’t know what is going on in people’s lives or what they need but God does and he wants us to be his hands and feet. Love looks like something. Like you I also need to put on my big girl pants and bravely be God’s vessel. You never know it may bring many to salvation. Powerful post
Ailie, when I realized that I could be the only Jesus people ever come across, I immediately felt like “Wow, I could be standing tin the way!” We’ve all heard that before, but it really hit me when my neighbor spoke to me. I had to come face to face with the thought that 1. I was judging but 2. maybe I’m scare to speak out for God because of my own embarrassment. This post is so close to my heart, and I love that you read and may learn something from it. Thank you for taking time to comment!
This is so good! We are not supposed to judge those who don’t know Jesus but to love them and let them know Him through us!
Love how God’s been working on you and am thankful for your willingness to share it.
I readily admit that talking about the hard stuff can be difficult, but also cleansing and helpful to the body of Christ. We all have struggles and I want this to be a place where we can let others in a discuss what’s hindering us. Thank you for reading.