Judge Not

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” - Psalm 51:10
 
 
Yesterday, we talked about the patriarch, Jacob, whose name means “trickster, deceiver, or one who supplants.” If you look at Genesis 25:26, it says Jacob got this name because he grasped his brother’s heel after being born.  
 
That is it! That is all he did! And just like that, his own family labeled him. And that label followed him, not only through his life, but throughout all of history. For Jacob, it was his birth that caused him to be unfairly judged. But for us, it could be a label someone assigns to us when they first meet us or because of the opinion of others. Or it could be us that judges someone from first encounter based on their appearance, demeanor, or reputation.  
 
It is important not to judge others because we do not know their situation or why they look or act the way they do. Especially when we judge people off of one encounter or situation, it may not accurately portray their personality because they may be having a bad day or be going through a situation we don’t know about.  
 
When you are tempted to judge someone, pray first that you operate with pure motives and that the Lord with bless them where they are. If you are the one being judged, pray for those who are looking down at you and imposing their feelings and beliefs on you.
 
There is only one Judge—our Lord and Savior. There is not one person who has a heaven or a hell to place you in. So, treat others how you want to be treated and pray others do the same for you. And even if their attitude or behavior doesn’t change, you will be blessed for operating in the right spirit.