CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 920

“Jumping to Conclusions”

Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.” (John 7:24)

A behavioral study was conducted where a poorly dressed man stumbled, fell and lay face down in a busy pedestrian walkway. Very few stopped to help him. Most simply walked passed averting their eyes. Later, the same man dressed in a business suit stumbled and fell in the same manner and place. Numerous people hurried to assist him. The only difference was how the man was dressed – how he appeared.

We make judgments every day. The word ‘judgment’ is defined as the ability to make considered decisions or come to sensible conclusions. When we jump to conclusions by judging by appearances only we fail to make a considered decision. We fail to judge with right judgment.

The Christian church body is as much at fault with judging by appearances as is our society as a whole. We see someone wearing a hooded sweatshirt and we think criminal. We classify people as ‘less than’ by how they dress, what they drive, and where they live. We forget that we are all equal before the throne of God. Righteousness and wickedness are matters of the heart, not outward appearances. How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? (Psalm 82:2)

One of the most often misquoted, taken out of context Scriptures is Matthew 7:1. Judge not, that you be not judged. In context of this entire passage as well as the entirety of Scripture, God’s Word instructs us to judge, and to do so rightly. The following are lessons in not jumping to conclusions.

Ask God for the gifts of the Spirit of Wisdom and Discernment. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. (James 1:5)

We need to judge in accordance with the Word of God. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness… (2 Timothy 3:16)

Avoid judging questionable matters. The Bible is silent on many societal issues and we should not make issues out of what has no bearing on eternity with God. Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. (Colossians 2:16)

Avoid profiling others on appearance and personal affinities. Partiality in judging is not good. (Proverbs 24:23)

Have all the facts at hand about a matter – not hearsay and do not let your emotions cloud the facts. Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger. (James 1:19)

May the Holy Spirit show you clearly the beam in your eye so that it may be removed before you attempt to remove the speck from someone else’s eye. May you have wisdom from God to judge rightly. May the grace, mercy and the love of Jesus flow through you in dealing with others.