🕊️PRAY HERE Devotion🕊️ “Dear Perfect People”

Scripture: Matthew 7:1–5 (NIV)

“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…”

Devotion: When I look at the world around me: social media, YouTube, church, and even everyday life ; all I see is a bunch of judges. I see the black robe, the proud stare, and the gavel in hand. For so many different reasons, people judge others quickly, harshly, and ignorantly.

How did so many novices to life suddenly become experts in everybody else’s business? They will judge situations they’ve never lived through, struggles they’ve never survived, and decisions they have zero context for.

God taught me a long time ago not to become what I just described. He taught me through a lesson followed by an experience. And trust me, that experience humbled me. I learned that you don’t really know what you would do until you’re placed in certain circumstances. So give grace to others ; because you need it just as much.

I’ve seen people with no kids judge people who are trying their best to raise kids alone.

People living in beautiful, safe neighborhoods judge the actions of people who grew up in poor, dangerous ones.

I’ve seen people who’ve never been abused judge the behavior of someone who has survived trauma or molestation.

In situations like these, these “self-proclaimed judges” only know what they see. They have no clue how what they see was produced or provoked. That is exactly why God is the only One qualified to judge us ; because He knows ALL the details.

Growing up, I would hear the old folks say, “Talk what you know.” Let me give you an example. There was a guy who used to come to school wrinkled and smelling a little unpleasant. People talked about him terribly. They said he was nasty, lazy, and didn’t care about himself. But what they didn’t know is that his family was struggling. Sometimes they didn’t have power or running water. He wasn’t nasty : he simply could not do any better.

There is always a “why” behind what people blindly judge.

Now let’s look at today’s scripture. It starts off clear: “DO NOT JUDGE!”

Then it tells us why:“Or YOU TOO will be judged.”

Since we know through God’s Word that nobody is perfect except God, we also know that we all have things that can be judged. Right now, you can think of a few things you’re glad people don’t know about you ; because they would judge you with the same measure you’re judging others.

Let’s pause and thank God for grace that has covered us! (Hallelujah!)

Verses 3–5 explain that while you’re looking at a tiny speck in someone else’s eye, you’ve got a whole plank in yours. A plank is much bigger than a speck. Let me say this plainly and southern:

KEEP YOUR MOUTH OFF PEOPLE.

Stop judging people and start praying. If ALL your skeletons and flaws were exposed, you would not be able to handle the judgment that would come your way. So even though their struggle may not be yours ; you do HAVE struggles. If you were perfect, you wouldn’t be here. I assume you’d be sitting in Heaven with the Perfect One.

If you have been a victim of harsh judgment from these “perfect judges,” I pray this devotion helps you stand a little taller today. Their judgment does not define you. They don’t know your story, they don’t know your battles, and they certainly can’t fix your problems ; but God can.

Whether you are the judge or the one being judged, turn to Jesus today. He is the only Judge who judges righteously, and the only One who can help any of us.

Prayer: Father, thank You for this reminder today. Help me to give grace the same way I want to receive it. Remove any spirit of judgment in me and replace it with compassion. Heal my heart from the words of those who have judged me unfairly. Remind me daily that You alone are the righteous Judge. I surrender my thoughts, my opinions, and my heart to You.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.