Fight WeekSample

One of the most difficult things that gets in the way of amazing relationships is the judgment we pass on the people around us. When we feel judged, we shut down, we retreat, and we become apathetic to the idea of having authentic community. When we pass judgement on people, we get ensnared with pride, self-righteousness, and we build a wall around our own lives, isolating ourselves from the life-giving relationships Jesus so desperately wants us to live in. 

It is so difficult to separate our lives from judgement, when we see it all around us every day. American Idol, America’s Got Talent, Dancing with Stars, The Bachelor and The Bachelorette are all shows where you get judged for every move you make. Even Judge Judy has made a mockery of the judicial system. But what would it look like in your life if you could walk into an environment, having 100% confidence that you could say anything and act anyway, and you wouldn’t be judged by it? Wouldn’t that be life-giving? 

Paul urged the Christians at Thessalonica to trust in Jesus to increase and overflow their hearts with love for each other. Maybe we need to lean in a little bit as well, and ask Jesus to change our heart as well.

Questions:

Has there ever been a time in your life where you felt judged? How did that impact you?

Do you struggle with passing judgement on other people? Why do you think you struggle with passing judgment?