Date: 08-04-2020

Title: Quick Judgment

(S) cripture:
    John 7:24 (NASB) “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”

(O) bservation:
    Jesus is addressing those who make quick judgments based on appearances rather than considering the whole of the matter. Here Jesus is being criticized for healing a man on the Sabbath. In their criticism the people failed to consider their own practice of circumcision that must be done on the eighth day even if it falls on the Sabbath. Jesus exhorts them to consider the whole and make a right judgment rather than one based solely on appearances.

(A) pplication:
    Things are not always what they appear. When I jump to a judgment based on appearances, I am likely to get the judgment wrong because I have not considered the whole and all the factors. Jesus exhorts me to consider all the facts before I make a judgment. Today I will work to look at all factors and circumstances before I make a judgment. This does not mean that I tolerate sin or law breaking but it does mean that I will give careful examination to all factors before I make a judgment. I must be careful in making a quick judgment because like those in this passage I might be judging them for something I am also doing.

(P) rayer:
    Father, you know how quick I am to assess and judge a situation. Teach me to pause and make a right judgment based on the whole and not just based on appearances. Help me to be redemptive and not condemning in my dealings with people. Let me reflect you. Amen