Sunday Devotional With Mr. E: Judge/Critique

Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of saw dust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?  How can you say to your brother, "Let me take the speck out of your eye," when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?  You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.  

Matthew 7: 1-5 (NIV)

I remember the first time I "participated" in a critique.  It was a very vulnerable & raw experience. It shouldn't have been though.  A critique is designed to be a detailed analysis/assessment.  Basically...just the facts.  There is no emotion or opinion to a true critique.  They are meant to inform.  That information can then be used to improve upon the original work, or be used for future endeavors. Unfortunately, critiques are often judgement filled sessions of destruction. Opinions are used to assert superiority/dominance of the given subject matter/medium/technique.  What should be used as a tool for growth....often is misused & ineffective.

In Matthew 7:1-5 we are warned about judging others.  Too often those that are the quickest to judge have the same issue...or one "greater" than the person they are judging.  Why?  If they are able to point out the problems in others, then they can feel better about their own ("At least I'm not as bad as ____").  We also must be careful not to hold "the world" to the same standards Christians. You can not expect someone to behave like Christ if they do not know Him!  Christ came to Earth, lived as an example to us all, died to take away the sins of all who believe, and rose again to give us new life in Him. I don't remember Him telling me to go around being hateful, unkind, and judgmental to those who don't know Him. My life goal is to know God & make Him known.  I have no time for judgement if that is truly my goal!!  

A Time To Critique

.  If we want to grow in our relationship with Christ, we must have people that can "critique" our lives.  Having that person who can say, "I see this area in your life that doesn't reflect the Lord like it should."....will help us to mature in our faith.  It isn't always easy to hear the truth, but if it is coming from someone we love & respect...than we can trust that they are saying it for our good.  Make sure you have permission to speak into that person's life.  If they aren't willing to hear it from you...maybe God has someone else He wants to use in their life.  

I saw a great art critique poster from educationcloset.com 

This might be a great way to go about approaching people!  

" How do you feel things are going?   You are such a hard worker, and I love how you jump in behind the scenes to get the job done!  However, I've noticed that you are a little gruff with people that don't seem to know what they are doing.  A more Christ like response would be to show compassion & grace.  Maybe ask them if they need some help, and you can model for them what they should be doing."  

PRAYER

Lord, let us be people that are quicker to love & share grace than judge.

Thank you Jesus for loving me...and forgiving me of my sin.  

I pray that I have your heart for the lost.

I pray I have your eyes to see the need.

May my life reflect the Truth of You & what You have done for me.

In Christ Jesus,

AMEN