Casting Stones

For many years I didn’t fully understand the verse in Matthew 7:1, Judge not that you be not judged. It was a bit confusing to me. I thought it was saying to pretend one didn’t notice the sin in another because no one is without sin. Of course, that’s not what it means at all. We are never to ignore sin, but to recognize it, and reach out to help and encourage each other, for all God’s children are at inner war between the carnal and the holy natures within us. Judge not that you be not judged goes deeper. It reveals our prejudices, opening our hearts and minds to examination by the Holy Spirit. Then we may repent of those prejudices and move on, loving each other as Christ loves us.

I came to a deeper understanding of, Judge not that you be not judged, years ago, all through a person with red hair. You see, when I was much younger I had an unpleasant confrontation with a red headed person. I remember thinking that I had heard that red headed people had fiery tempers. This confrontation was proof enough for me. It was from that moment that I began judging people with red hair. I would meet someone or see them from afar; my first thoughts? Beware that person! Avoid if at all possible! It sounds silly now, and it is silly, but I had listened, and taken to heart, the demonic lie that people with red hair were best left alone. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit led me into truth so I could repent of my prejudice. Since then I’ve had lovely friendships with red headed people.

I was reminded of the above in my own life when, I too, became the subject of someone else’s prejudice. Earlier this week i was told about another American who had exhibited very bad behavior. Therefore, the person told me, I am “complicit” to this person’s sin because I’m an American, too. There was a time in my life that such a comment would have angered me, but I thank the Lord, not so this time. You see, I already know how easy it is to slip into unjust judging. It’s one of Satan’s most common tactics. I have been unwittingly tricked. So have you. No one is beyond the demonic deception of prejudice.

I had a friend who was prejudiced against construction workers. On her way to work she had to walk past a construction site. She had to endure rude comments shouted at her from jeering and sneering construction workers. Like me with red heads, for years when she knew someone worked in construction, she inwardly bristled. She judged them as unkind, without scruples, to be avoided at all costs. Even in church, knowing of a Christian who worked construction, she sought the nearest exit rather than engage in any conversation. In time, the Holy Spirit led her to seeing and repenting of the prejudice in her heart.

The person who judged me this week because I’m an American is someone who loves the Lord. Of this there is no doubt. The Holy Spirit will lead, and open their eyes to truth. I feel certain about this. We are all susceptible to judging the innocent to be guilty because of their skin color, nationality, color of their hair, occupation, education, location of living, etc. Jesus knew how easy for us to judge unfavorably. That is why He warned His followers, judge not that you be not judged. In others words, don’t judge the innocent to be guilty, lest we be judged guilty for doing so.

God does not hold one person accountable for another person’s sins. Let us hold the same attitude. Instead, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God (I John 4:7 NLT). Prejudice is never from God. Let us beware at all times, lest the innocent fall prey to our unjust judging, receiving unwarranted stones of mistrust thrown by our guilty hand.