“Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one
who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?”

James 4:11-12

WHY WE JUMP TO JUDGING

1. Guilt

(We want to excuse our own failures)

“When you, a mere human, pass judgment on others, do you think that by pointing your finger at others you will distract God from seeing all your misdoings and keep him from judging you?” Romans 2:3

2. Pride

We want to feel superior to other people.

WHY NOT FIND FAULT WITH OTHERS?

1. BECAUSE JUDGING OTHERS IS UNLOVING

“The Royal Law found in the Scripture is ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself!’ If you obey this law, you do the right thing.”
James 2:8

“Anytime you speak against fellow believers, or you judge or bad-mouth them, you judge and condemn God’s Law!” James 4:11

2. BECAUSE JUDGING OTHERS IS GOD’S JOB, NOT MINE!

“Remember, God is the only true Lawgiver and Judge! He alone has the authority to save or to destroy. So then, who are you? And what gives you the right to pass judgment on others?” James 4:12

3. BECAUSE JUDGING OTHERS IS UNCHRISTIAN

“God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world guilty, but to save the world through him!” John 3:17 (NCV)

BUILDING A FAITH THAT FINDS LESS FAULTS

1. KEEP IN MIND: I’M NOT THE STANDARD!

“We should never dare to classify or compare ourselves like those who rate themselves so highly. How foolish they
are! They make up their own standards to measure themselves by, and then judge themselves by their own standards!” 2 Corinthians 10:12

2. KEEP IN MIND: I DON’T KNOW THE WHOLE STORY

“It is shameful and stupid to decide before knowing the facts!” Proverbs 18:13

Jesus: “Stop judging by appearances.” John 7:24

3. KEEP IN MIND: I NEVER KNOW ANYONE’S MOTIVATION

“No one can really know what anyone else is thinking or what he is really like except that person himself.” 1 Corinthians 2:11

4. KEEP IN MIND: I HAVE BLINDSPOTS I CAN’T SEE

“Why are you so concerned about a speck of sawdust in someone else’s eye when you have a huge log in your own
eye? How dare you say, ‘Let me get that speck out of your eye!’. . . Instead, judge yourself and first remove the log in your own eye so you can see clearly to help others.” Matthew 7:3-5

5. KEEP IN MIND: TO LISTEN FIRST

“Let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” James 1:19

6. KEEP IN MIND: I’LL BE JUDGED BY THE STANDARD I USE

“Do not judge others, or YOU too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged! And with the same measure you use, YOU will be measured!” Matthew 7:1-2

“You have no right to criticize your brother or look down on him. Remember, each of us will stand personally before the Judgment Seat of God… Yes, each of us will have to give an account of himself to God. So then, don’t criticize each other anymore!” Romans 14:10, 12-13

7. KEEP IN MIND: HOW GOD HAS SHOWN ME GRACE

“ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—!” Ephesians 2:8