The Set-Up:
We have an opinion about everything. You see, hear, and read about it every day - especially on social media. Someone will post an opinion and, as you would expect, you'll see positive and negative responses to the post.
We live in an exposed culture and we have strong opinions about everything. Whether it's about the pandemic, how we raise our kids, or even preferences in worship styles - the culture we're in encourages us to form strong opinions about many things. Those strong opinions cause us to be divided and not united. This is not what God desires for us.
As I read this passage, I noticed something different today. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 4:5 that God actually takes that burden of judgment off of us as we allow Him to handle it.
There is peace in knowing that God will bring to light everything that's wrong, and He will judge what other people do. With that knowledge, we can focus on our own hearts and our own motives - not on judging others. There will be days when we need to share about something that hurt or upset us, but when we start to get the urge to let our tongues loose (online or face to face), we need to recognize it, pause, and talk to God instead. It is so freeing to let go of the judgmental and critical spirit, to let go of the drama and sin - and receive peace, knowing that God will bring things to the light and He will judge so that we don't have to.
Passage to Read: 1 Corinthians 4:1-5; Psalm 139:23-24
Reflection Questions:
What is one way you judge others?
How can you protect your mind from being judgmental?
Have you ever prayed for the person or situation you judged? What happened?
Prayer Idea:
Take some time to pray for people, things, situations, etc. that you have a strong opinion against. Ask God to help you let go of the judgmental and critical heart, observe your own heart, and receive the peace He offers.
This devotional was written by Evonn Dorr.