Judge and Jury
“Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment.”
John 7:24 (NIV)
It would be dreadful to be a judge in a court of law and sentence the guilty to time in prison, even though much time is taken before a verdict is given. Yet, in our day-to-day pursuits, we seem to always be ready to act as judge and jury on those we believe are guilty of some offense.
We may act this way because it’s easier to judge others hastily instead of taking time to to find out their side of the story. It’s also because we’re probably weighed down with preconceived notions and biases (which make matters worse).
What is it that makes us engage in such actions? Is it because it’s easier to come to a negative decision about someone rather than seeing the best in them?
The context of today’s verse is in regards to the religious leaders accusing Jesus of healing a man on the Sabbath. His “crime” was that He broke one of their man-made rules. According to them, He should have at least waited until the next day to heal the man. Jesus turned the tables on them and accused them of judging by appearances rather than by testing the person’s heart.
As Christians, we can sometimes reject other believers simply because they don’t follow our rules. Looking down on someone who isn’t “properly“ dressed for church is a prime example. We then judge them by “mere appearances”, exactly what Jesus said not to do.
“And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.“ (Matthew 7:3-5 NLT)
“We are often too ready to be deceived by an appearance of GOOD. We are in danger of rating some men as very good Christians, because of a little outward profession of religion, and a decent Sunday formality. We are too ready, on the other hand, to be deceived by the appearance of EVIL. We are in danger of setting down some men as not true Christians, because of a few faults or inconsistencies. In any case let us take care that we pass fair judgment on OURSELVES. Whatever we think of others, let us beware of making mistakes about our own character. There, at any rate, let us be just, honest, and fair. Let us not flatter ourselves that all is right, because all is apparently right before men. “The Lord,” we must remember, “looks on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7.) Then let us judge ourselves with righteous judgment, and condemn ourselves while we live, lest we be judged of the Lord and condemned forever at the last day. (1 Corinthians 11:31.)“ J.C. Ryle