April 22
From Judging
to Forgiving
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
Luke 6:37, NIrV
Matt leaned back in his chair, staring at the computer screen. His fingers hovered over the keyboard as he scrolled through the latest trending topic. Another celebrity scandal, another chance to voice his “honest opinion.”
He began typing furiously, crafting a biting comment that mocked not just the person’s actions but their appearance and character. Within moments, he hit "Post," feeling a rush of satisfaction as the likes and replies started pouring in. “At least I’m not like that,” he thought, justifying his harsh words.
But later that night, as he scrolled through his phone in bed, Matt came across a verse someone had shared: “Do not judge, and you will not be judged.” It caught him off guard. He knew the words well, but tonight, they felt different. For the first time, he felt a twinge of guilt.
The next morning, Matt woke up restless. He sat with his coffee and opened his laptop, intending to join another online debate. But instead, his mind replayed the verse. A nagging thought lingered: “Why do I feel so quick to judge others?”
That evening, he attended a church service with a friend. The sermon was about forgiveness and grace. The pastor spoke about how Jesus sees the heart, offering compassion instead of condemnation. Matt squirmed in his seat, realizing how far his actions had been from grace.
When the service ended, he lingered in the pews, bowed his head, and prayed. “Lord, I’ve been so harsh. I’ve been quick to judge and slow to forgive. Change my heart. Help me to see others the way You see them.”
The next time Matt opened his laptop, he saw one of his previous comments pop up in his notifications. But instead of pride, he felt shame. He deleted the comment, deciding to replace criticism with kindness. Over time, his posts shifted from mocking to encouraging. Matt’s online presence became a reflection of the grace he’d found—extending forgiveness instead of judgment.
Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Thank You for teaching me the power of grace and forgiveness.
Like Matt, I often find it easier to judge than to love.
Help me to reflect Your heart in how I see and treat others.
Change my words and actions so that they bring life, not harm.
When I am tempted to criticize, remind me of Your mercy toward me.
May I be quick to forgive, slow to judge, and always reflect Your love in all I do.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
