Jesus, moved by compassion, healed (Matt. 14:14). I, moved by judgment, don’t heal.

What can I learn from Jesus’ teachings  about judging which can help me move from my tendency to live in judgment toward myself and others to living like Jesus and expressing compassion? Let’s explore Jesus’ words on judging so we can learnto live as Jesus did, Who was moved by compassion and healed.

Four things Jesus taught concerning judgment

  1. Jesus came to save, not to judge: God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him… the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day. (Jn. 3:17; 12:47,48)
  2. Judging hurts the judger: Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned. (Lk. 6:37; Matt. 7:1) 
  3. I overcome judgment by being a peacemaker: For while you are going with your opponent to appear before the magistrate, on your way there make an effort to settle with him, so that he may not drag you before the judge, and the judge turn you over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. (Lk. 12:57-59; Matt. 5:25)
  4. True righteous judgment comes from the Father by the Spirit: I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak … the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me.” (Jn. 12:47-50; 5:30; 8:16)

True righteous judgment is not...

  • According to outer appearance or things I can see: “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” (Jn. 7:24)
  • From the flesh: “You judge according to the flesh; I am not judging anyone. (Jn. 8:15)
  • Before hearing directly from the person: “Our Law does not judge a man unless it first hears from him and knows what he is doing, does it?” (Jn. 7:51; Ex. 23:1)

Summary

Since mankind was created to live out of communion with God (Gen. 3:9,10; Jn. 5:19,20,30), any judgment must flow from His Spirit within, as we are walking and living by the Spirit (Gal. 5:25). Any judgment which comes from my mind means I have fallen for satan’s lie that I can know - apart from God’s revelation (Gen. 3:5).

If I fall for satan’s accusative judgments against myself or others, and 1) believe them, 2) emotionally feel them (rejection/fear) and 3) confess them with my mouth, I draw these judgments to myself (Lk. 6:37; Matt. 7:1). I unleash demonic forces which promote destruction. I have birthed the kingdom of darkness out through the creative capacity of my spirit by: 

  1. Speaking: Life and death are in the power of the tongue (Prov. 18:21)
  2. Feeling: What a man thinketh in his heart, so is he (Prov. 23:7). “Heart” is “nephesh” which includes the meanings of “desire, emotion, passion.”
  3. Believing: According to your faith so be it unto you (Matt. 9:29).

God has spoken directly into my heart the following: “Minimize judging;” “Honor all people;” and “Ask for and receive My compassion, so My mercy and grace may flow through you to others.”