How to Stop Judging Others As a Christian
Obeying God’s Word to stop judging others is a tall order when you’re guilty. I may excuse my sin but view others from a fishbowl mentality. That means I gravitate toward evil, not righteousness. It’s easy to look around and see pride, materialism, greed, and a world full of self-centered sinners (some are holy and blameless Christians). Only recently I caught myself judging someone for stupid remarks.
Really—why must we deal with sinners everywhere we go (smirk)? It’s easy to have a cast-judgment attitude because other people’s sins seem worse than yours. Unless you and I stop judging others for being less spiritual or less anything, especially other believers and churches, we’re headed for trouble. Your thoughts stay pure and innocent when you don’t make mental notes of sin. Doing so requires humility.
Bible Verses About How to Stop Judging Others
Can we judge others according to the Bible?
Matthew 7:1-5 – 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. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
James 4:11-12 – 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?
Romans 2:1-3 – You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment?
John 7:24 – Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.
How to Stop Judging Others
The above scriptures give us key words to remember:
with the measure you use, it will be measured to you
speck of sawdust
plank in your own eye
hypocrite
do not slander
pass judgment on someone else
condemn yourself
judging by mere appearances.
The listed words point to me and what I do. Jesus presents a strong warning in Matthew that judging others shouldn’t be taken lightly. Even though we are fallen people saved by grace through Jesus, our selfish and proud natures deceive us. If you and I aren’t careful, we pronounce judgment on loved ones and people we don’t know. Maybe we don’t say the words but our thoughts speak directly to our hearts.
So, what do you do when there’s no evidence but you reach judgmental conclusions about others?
Stop Judging Others Because It’s Evil
Have you ever looked at your own sin and saw how easily you reclaim your old nature? Call it a weak moment or letting down your guard—but the bottom line of any indiscretion is that you regret your actions. For Christians, pleasing God is important. That’s because Jesus isn’t happy with an evil heart and said so in Matthew 15:19.
For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.
If we could tame our hearts, we’d have far less trouble. Everything good or evil originates there. To stop judging others, implement these strategies.
- Shut Your Mouth: People judge others because ignorance leads them, not wisdom. They may be gossipers or haven’t gained control over their tongues. It’s wiser to stay quiet when your thoughts shout untruths.
- Recognize Your Biases: Never assume anything about someone else. God knows what’s in a person’s heart. You don’t. People may wear old clothes and shoes because they’re favorites. When my daughter was little, she wore a pair of scandals even when her toes stuck out inches beyond the shoe edges. If you judge someone by their first appearance, you deem them unworthy.
- Cultivate Love: Is your heart burning with love toward everyone you meet? When you train yourself to love others purposely, your love is genuine and not put on. Love overflows even when people misunderstand you.
- Have a Charitable Heart: As an example, David (not yet king) obeyed his father and took provisions to his brothers. While there, David challenged a very tall man. One brother, Eliab, responded judgmentally to David’s charitable heart and courage. I Samuel 17:28 – Now Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spoke to the men. And Eliab’s anger was kindled against David, and he said, “Why have you come down? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your presumption and the evil of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle. Can you see how Eliab missed everything good about David?
- Major on Innocence: It’s possible to live a blameless life—Jesus did. According to Psalm 7, you can have an upright heart full of integrity. You do that by asking God to create a new heart and renew your spirit (Psalm 51). Innocence opposes evil (wickedness, immorality, sinfulness).
- Be Slow When Judging: The only time Christians can judge others is when a fellow Christian is involved in blatant sin. We are to call them to repentance lovingly but shouldn’t jump at the chance to point out their shortcomings.
Stop Judging Others and Be Closer to Accepting Them
That doesn’t mean you accept what people like Hitler, Stalin, and Bin Laden did but neither do you spend time judging them for their actions. God will avenge their deeds in due time just as He will yours. This Bible verse states why judging is wrong.
Romans 14:10-14 – Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written, As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.
It’s fruitless to judge others. God brings anything hidden in us to the light so we can deal with it. He does that for everyone who calls Him Lord. In the meantime, each of us can practice thinking the best of others. That’s because salvation proved that none of us are good enough. God decided that Jesus could take our place when we were spiritually dead to make us righteous. If you’re a Christian, you’re no longer condemned. Neither should you condemn others.