“Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment.”
~ Matthew 7:1, MSG
“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged.”
~ Matthew 7:1, NLT
See the good in others! That’s the happier healthier way to build relationships that prosper.
Uplifting mid-week message, thank you
Thank you very much, Evan, so so needed this reminder to see the good in others, because that is the way, we help him/her and also us to be happy and healthy friends!
What a relief to know that God is responsible for all of us. We only have to look for God’s expression in all those we know or meet and not be fooled or distracted by personal traits. It is actually a relief to know that we’re not responsible, God is. He expresses good in us and all.
A person who is good, always sees the good in others. It comes very naturally for him/her to see the good in every individual and in every situation. Such people are also very loving and good natured. They can pull crowds and build lasting relationships.
Very often we tend to Judge and criticise people unknowingly. But we need to be very cautious of these negative traits and overcome them. Nothing is difficult if we seek Gods help. Do we feel good when someone judges or criticises us? NO…Not at all. So we all need to do unto others as we would have them do unto us. We need to be merciful, just and pure.
Our true efforts in the right direction, will be blessed by our divine Father.
Thanks Evan for the reminder to be good.
Sometimes its the ones closest to us that we need to have the most generosity, the most patience for. I recently, — prayerfully– let the Bible fall open and 1 Peter 3 is what greeted me. I looked it up in other translations and found this tender instruction in the Amplified Bible. Submissive??? Yes. To unselfishness, kindness, to Truth, to divine Love. It makes for sweet partnering. “Not returning railing for railing” is a Bible passage about spouses! “Be all of one Mind” is the bottom line.
“Wives be submissive [acknowledging and participating in one’s assigned position] to your own husbands [subordinate, not as inferior, but out of respect for the responsibilities entrusted to husbands and their accountability to God, and so partnering with them] so that even if some do not obey the word [of God], they may be won over [to Christ] without discussion by the godly lives of their wives, when they see your modest and respectful behavior [together with your devotion and appreciation—love your husband, encourage him, and enjoy him as a blessing from God]. 3 Your adornment must be [the inner beauty of] the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, [one that is calm and self-controlled, not overanxious, but serene and spiritually mature] which is very precious in the sight of God.
The rest is well worth reading!
7 In the same way, you husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way [with great gentleness and tact, and with an intelligent regard for the marriage relationship], as with [c]someone physically weaker, since she is a woman. Show her honor and respect as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered or ineffective.
Thanks Evan! I am going to plant this seed this morning and watch it grow! (As per yesterday’s post!) And thank you for each comment here too! All so fitting! I esp. Like Diane’s : lots to think about for any relationship…friends, family, co-workers… Including marriage! Always new things to think about and help us! Thank you all!
It is the gentle way to live. Judging others makes it hard to live with oneself.
Evan, thank you for these uplifting and treasured reminders.
Letting go of Critisim is like dropping the weights off your shoulders! Our job is to love as Jesus loved. Love enough to see the perfect man. Imperfections are not part of us or anyone else. So we can hold everyone up to the light . The more I practice this , the more free I feel! Thank you, Evan for your inspiring council!
It occurred to me that when we are judging others, we are playing god. God judges with total Love, but my judging is way off the mark, as I am judging according “to the outward appearance” (Jesus). Thankful for these ideas every day, Evan. They get me started in the right track!
Thanks, Evan! I’ve found that the person I’m most critical of is MYSELF…..I have been observing my “inner critic” and Boy, is she Good at what she does! Whew! Often when I find myself being negative, judging and criticizing others, it’s because I’m not Happy with Myself…… I’m not giving Myself what I need and want. Loving and appreciating Myself first, doing things that bring me Happiness and Joy, can change my outlook on Life and on Other People!
Bevi excellent point I really needed to hear this today. My inner critic was working overtime this morning.
We are God’s reflection. Can we criticize that? NO! Then how can we judge, for a God is our only judge. Simple, YES?
That actually works in coaching young athletes as well. If I concentrate on their faults they get a wrong sense of their ability, but if I express what they are doing correctly and suggest what they might do better, then the whole atmosphere changes to who they really are as expressions of Spirit. What do we see, how do we help lead others to see in themselves the true image is very important for both the young athletes and myself to be free from the wrong image.
Do not judge a book by it’s cover.
Just what I needed today. Thanks so everyone!
Wow! What a great variety of thoughts.
Thank you all. I really love reading and rereading the posts. I always say: i see myself as God’s own child as perfect in HIS sight. I see my fellow man as well a person of LIGHT. Then to complete my prayer i see him seeing me seeing him a perfect son of LIGHT.
Thank you so much for these daily treasures. They and the comments have been very helpful. I am glad you are providing this for us. It’s been a great learning experience.
I did not read this Wednesday when it was posted, but my thought was along exactly this line. I especially agree with Bevi on self-criticism as the basis of the problem, leading to criticizing others. I even gave a testimony about this! Having grown up with a critical parent, I find it difficult to get that voice out of my head. It frequently tries to tell me I’m NOT God’s perfect child! There is also an issue which is a perversion of Christian Science, which tries to tell us that since we are God’s perfect child, we have to be humanly perfect – which is impossible because matter can never be perfect!
Others judging us can make this worse. And, even when that is not their intent, I’ve found I often react defensively, as though they are, because that’s what I expect.
I’ve been working to rid myself of that lying voice, and to know myself as the perfect child of God I am, regardless of what others say or do. I may not be able to change how others act head-on, but I can refuse to let it affect me. I can continue to work, pray, and study to know myself as perfect, and them as well, all reflecting God harmoniously.