I’m a quick draw.
My bullets don’t come spiraling at Superman speed out of the barrel of a gun. {No, I prefer to keep them tucked in my mind and flowing from my heart.} You can’t see them, making my trigger finger itchy and fast.
My weapon of choice? Judgment. The kind that’s ugly, prideful.
How do I know?
“The Lord has already told you what is good, and this is what he requires: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” {Micah 6:8} To live this way is how God knows I truly love Him.
He whispers in my heart. “Read that short list again.”
The words hover above my bed. “To love mercy. . .” He tenderly, mercifully, replaces the word ‘mercy’ with ‘judgment,’ revealing to my soul how I live and think and feel. “I love judgment.”
I realize I’m living in judgment, instead of living for Him in mercy. Intolerant, mean, un-compassionate. {Ouch.} Those labels aren’t how I would like to think of myself.
He has told me and tells me again. This is what He requires. {I can’t keep my gun just in case.}
I hand over my weapon, gun belt, bullets and all. Thankful He is more merciful than I.
“You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. . . Don’t you realize how kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you?” {Romans 2:1-4}
Walking in gentleness, kindness, goodwill, and tender mercy, hands free of my pride, I can finally hold Jesus’s hand as I walk humbly with Him, in assurance that He knows I love Him.
by Stephanie Bryant, co-founder of (in)courage and Creative Mastermind at S. Bryant Social Marketing.
Leave a Comment
Brittnie says
Great analogy. I think this is something we all (ok well at least me!) struggle with. Judgement is one of those things that slowly creeps into our hearts without (at first) even realizing it is present or a problem. I love your line “hands free of my pride, I can finally hold Jesus’s hand as I walk humbly with Him, in assurance that He knows I love Him.” I am encouraged to talk hand in hand with Him today. Have a lovely weekend!
kendal says
you know my heart….
Jennifer says
Right on target. God has been convicting me of this very thing. I judge and condemn holding my head high only to be reminded that my sin offends our righteous God. Thanks, Stephanie. I am handing over my gun as well.
Hope Easter says
I wish I could show this article to several people I know. Maybe it would set them straight.
Thank you for this word for today. Great words to think about.
Beth Williams says
You must be talking about me also. I’m very judgemental, too quick to judge before learning about the person. My mind, the devil, says…you’re fat, stupid, ugly, lazy ..mostly about other people. I am also very harsh on myself with those same words!!
Thanks for the reminder!!
God Bless!!!
Danelle says
Judgement of others begins with pride. There is no living human who does not carry pride’s tarnish. Praying that He will search my heart and show me all the ways pride keeps me from giving and (gulp) receiving grace. I know I have much open heart surgery left.
Kristen says
Stephanie, I *love* this picture of being hands free of pride so I can hold the hand of Jesus. By His grace may I do this better!
Betty Draper says
We will be judge by how we judge others…..that has come back to bite me more then once. Pride certainly is the root of this since its the sin that so easily besets me. I can be so quick to judge but so slow to repent. I find judging others is rooted in my control issue….if they would just go it my way….how prideful of me.. so very thankful for the new mercies of God that cover a multitude of sins such as being judgmental. Convicting post but a good one to root out this sin in us frail human. I certainly appreciate the reminder….like the analogy of the quick drawn gun of judgement. Awareness brings repentance. Like Kristin by His grace I will do better.. your post makes me want to do better
Faith Confessions says
This is something I am still working on as well but one thing I started over a year ago is to turn my judgement into blessing. If I catch myself starting to judge a person I instead say out loud God Bless You. While I am not a pro at it nor has it absolved me of all the sin that is judgement it truly has helped hold me accountable and it has taught me how much I judge. I hope to continue holding the hand of Jesus.