SCRIPTURE:
“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you - unless, of course, you fail the test? And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test.”
2 Corinthians 13:5-6
OBSERVATION:
As Paul was being questioned by some people as to his authority as an apostle. Instead of going into defense mode, he turns it around and flips the script by asking the people to evaluate their own faith. What a brilliant move. As they were judging him, he asked that they look at themselves first, and to do it inwardly being honest to judge themselves first. By asking them if they realized that Jesus was in them, he was asking them to self-reflect if their actions represented Jesus in their lives. It’s like when you point your index finger at someone, you realize that there are three fingers pointing back at you. Don’t judge less you be judged.
APPLICATION:
The process to self-reflect as to our faith, our Word, our actions, our hearts, prompts us to be careful to judge others, less we be judged. It’s so easy to see someone doing something or hear that someone said something and we pass judgment, especially if we are prompted and influenced by others. I’ve caught myself in those scenarios and the Holy Spirit will often bring my own situation(s) to mind, waking and wising me up. Sometimes, I act before I think, not good.
PRAYER:
Dear Lord, thank you for guiding me to check my heart, my spirit, my words, and actions before I look on at and judge others. May I view others with a perspective of giving forth with the “benefit of doubt,” and giving situations that need correction over to you in prayer, rather than act as judge and jury.
