Today is election day. I personally don’t enjoy getting campaign emails/texts/calls and answering political questions. I’m always a little cautious about supporting any candidate, as I don’t trust people I don’t know. However, I do take time to vote every election; as I feel it is my civic duty to learn about anyone running for a public office, because I want someone who I respect representing me. And most importantly… I cannot ignore the fact that people literally gave their life in order to give me the opportunity to vote.
For some reason I woke up early this morning. I don’t know why. It could have been because my body is still adjusting to Daylight Savings Time, or possibly because my energy is still high from playing basketball last night, or maybe God put something in my spirit that I needed to embrace. I don’t know. Nevertheless, I immediately opened my Bible to the book of James.
After reading a few chapters of James, I feel like I need to write about judging others. I personally deal with judging and criticizing others… especially on social media.
The last few weeks I have been tussling back and forth in my spirit whether to make comments on various controversial social media posts that are shared by Christian leaders/influencers. Here are a few things I’ve been wanting to rant about.
- Celebrity Gospel artist Kirk Franklin collaborations – Kirk recently has been going on various podcasts talking about his BET award and his gospel song with GloRilla (who is a secular artist that promotes an immoral lifestyle and perverse language). I personally feel Kirk and his music label Gospel Centric Records do not model the true Christian faith and they intentionally promote secularism to spiritually weak Christians.
You [are like] unfaithful wives [having illicit love affairs with the world and breaking your marriage vow to God]! Do you not know that being the world’s friend is being God’s enemy? So whoever chooses to be a friend of the world takes his stand as an enemy of God.
James 4:4 AMPC
- Black Pastors criticizing each others cultural and political opinions – Almost every week I see another clip on social media about a church pastor saying something controversial. Since President Trump took office in 2025, Pastor Jamal Bryant and Bishop Patrick Wooden Sr. have been critiquing and voicing opinions about each other’s political, theological, social, and cultural stances on various issues. I personally respect both of these men, even though I align more with Bishop Wooden Sr.
But avoid stupid and foolish controversies and genealogies and dissensions and wrangling about the Law, for they are unprofitable and futile.
Titus 3:9 AMPC
- Child sexual abuse in the Catholic church – I recently saw news about the Catholic Archdiocese of New York sexual abuse $800 million settlement given to approximately 1,300 survivors. Then I learned that over the last few years there were three other Catholic Archdioceses in American cities settled sexual abuse lawsuits which totaled over $1 billion dollars. This story is so crazy to me. I can’t imagine being sexually abused by a spiritual leader or Catholic priest. As a father it is so hard for me to have grace for anyone who sexually abuses children.
But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in and acknowledge and cleave to Me to stumble and sin [that is, who entices him or hinders him in right conduct or thought], it would be better (more expedient and profitable or advantageous) for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be sunk in the depth of the sea.
Matthew 18:6 AMPC
Internally I have a natural desire to correct people… especially other Christians when I feel they are saying or doing something that is scripturally wrong. I know that may seem weird… but, it’s true. When you have studied the Bible as much as I have, you know what the Bible says and doesn’t say about so many things. I can be like the student in the front of the class who is quick to raise their hand to answer every question because they studied and did their homework.
Oftentimes I have to suppress my natural desire to correct people or even discuss certain topics. Why? Because of a few reasons. I do not want to be judgmental or condemn other Christians… as I myself am not perfect. Plus, I also want to use godly wisdom when expressing my feelings… so my words are received well and can achieve their intended purpose.
If anyone thinks himself to be religious (piously observant of the external duties of his faith) and does not bridle his tongue but deludes his own heart, this person’s religious service is worthless (futile, barren).
James 1:26 AMPC
[My] brethren, do not speak evil about or accuse one another. He that maligns a brother or judges his brother is maligning and criticizing the Law and judging the Law. But if you judge the Law, you are not a practicer of the Law but a censor and judge [of it]. One only is the Lawgiver and Judge who is able to save and to destroy [the One who has the absolute power of life and death]. [But you] who are you that [you presume to] pass judgment on your neighbor?
James 4:11-12 AMPC
What does it mean to judge someone?
When someone judges another person, they are essentially forming an opinion or conclusion about another person’s character, behavior, motives, or worth. When I say someone is good or bad, I am actually passing judgment on them.
A lot of times people are so quick to say, “Don’t judge me! Only God can judge me.” As a young adult I remember a famous rapper singing a song called Only God Can Judge Me. But, what does the Bible say about that?
Do not judge and criticize and condemn others, so that you may not be judged and criticized and condemned yourselves. For just as you judge and criticize and condemn others, you will be judged and criticized and condemned, and in accordance with the measure you [use to] deal out to others, it will be dealt out again to you.
Matthew 7:1-2 AMPC
Are all judgments bad?
No. The Bible does not say that all judgments are bad. The Bible generally talks about two types of judgments: Condemning/Superficial judgments – these are the type that Jesus is instructing people not to do. They are condemning, degrading, diminishing, and made based upon a superficial analysis without any careful discernment. Fair/Righteous judgments – these judgments are done with love, gentleness, humility and discernment. Also the motivation and intention of the judgment is to establish what is just, fair, right, and true.
Be honest in your judgment and do not decide at a glance (superficially and by appearances); but judge fairly and righteously.
John 7:24 AMPC
It can be confusing to truly understand when it is right to judge someone, and how to actually go about it. Especially when you have strong feelings/opinions towards someone or something.
Judging people is not wrong… if it is done with love. As a Christian, I believe God alone is judge over everything. Judging others is wrong when your heart is not in the right place. I personally feel God tells us to love one another, have grace and mercy towards one another, and to forgive each other… because we are called to live in community and everyone in the Christian community has a different life experiences and communication styles.
