One of the most unified and resounding indictments from unbelievers of Christianity over the ages has been that Christians are judgmental. This is both searing and, sadly, true. The effects of such an attitude of judgmental behavior as it regards the world, is that many people are instantly turned off by the messenger that they disregard the message of the Gospel without ever hearing it.
Needless to say, this should not be so. Christians should be the most gracious, kind, loving, peaceful, humble, and compassionate people because they have the Holy Spirit living within them and sanctifying them to the image of Christ. Unfortunately, sin is pervasive and affects Christians, causing them to think of their status in Christ as a license to condemn instead of a commission to love.
Jesus says it quite directly, "Judge not, that you will not be judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you (Matt. 7:1-2)." Clearly, Christians are not to judge lest we be judged as well.
The reality is that as believers grow in the knowledge of God through the power of the Holy Spirit and the Word, we will begin to see the world through God's eyes and we will see sin as we have never seen it before. However, there is great responsibility that comes with this sort of enlightenment, for although we may see the sin of others clearly, we do not always have the right to expose that sin to them directly. That is the job of the Word of God and the Holy Spirit, who convict hearts for the purposes of restoration and salvation. Additionally, when we step into the role of judge, are we not claiming a position that can only belong to God Himself? Let us then slow our tongues and strive to be gracious when we could easily fall into habits of criticism and judgment!
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