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Matthew -
The Kingdom of Jesus

A Devotional Study in Matthew

Judging, Evaluating and Criticizing

Matthew 7:1-2

It is not always easy to discern the differences between judging, evaluating and criticizing. Judging is a word often used as a subsitute for the other two, but are they really the same?

No, I would submit that being critical of someone is judging in a negative sense, on the other hand, looking some work - or a person - over carefully to note the good and the bad fairly, is evaluation, which is the positive side of judging.

Once I sat in on an adult Sunday School class that was new to me, and found them discussing these verses in Matthew 7:1-2, but with the understanding that judging always meant passing sentence, or speaking very negatively about anyone. Something in my spirit was troubled for I understood judging to have several different meanings and these other meanings were ignored.

If a teacher grades your essay, Isn't that a subjective evaluation, a form of judging?

There are other verses (1 Cor.11:31, Col. 2:16, John 7:24), where we are to judge or evaluate ourselves, so that others will not need to do it.

Another verse, (Matt. 7:16) says that "by their fruits you shall know them," To know what kinds of fruit other people are bearing we do need to look objectively at their lives for evidence that they are in union with Christ.

Here in Matthew we find Jesus saying we need to be very careful in our judging, evaluating and criticizing of others, for we are going to be measured with the same scale we use on others.

Isn't that true? Have you ever noticed how a certain woman in church who is a perfectionist and who tells everyone each little fault she observes in others is generally graded in the same detailed way by the others? At the same time, the woman who cheerfully sees the positive in everyone and smooths over mistakes, is talked about in a similar positive way? Observe people and you'll discover that most people get back the same attitudes they dish out.

Hint-hint! Choose your attitude carefully, whether you are going to be judging, evaluating, or criiticizing those around you.

No doubt Jesus was aware of this reflection principle, but I believe He was talking in terms of our accountability to God too. If we measure others with sharp and high standards, God will apply higher standards to us. If we are easier on others, He will be lighter on us. All, of course, within God's pure and holy standards.


PRAYER: Lord, You are the ultimate perfectionist, but You judge in love. I'd rather be judged by You than some of the people I know on earth! Help me not to be critical in my evaluation of others; rather to offer encouragement and help when I see they fall short somewhere. Then I'll be judging, evaluating, criticizing even when truly necessary, more like You!


Jesus is my King!!

Blessings on you Today!
Ruth Marlene Friesen


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Ruth Marlene Friesen
Ruth Marlene Friesen
The Responsible One

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