“Don’t judge me!” Is the bold mantra that’s been the downfall of generations. It’s not just a new thing… people have been rejecting the voices of those trying to show them the Way for millennia.
In Jesus’ account of the rich man in Hell, the man asked, “please send Lazarus to warn my family of this place!” Moses’ response was piercing, “They’ve had Moses and the prophets, and haven’t listened to them. What makes you think they’d listen if someone rose from the dead to tell them?”
These prophets came with a consistent message… “Repent!” It was the drawing of attention to their sinful condition that was intended to steer them to safety.
Throughout scripture, we’re instructed to point others to repentance. “Go into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature…” “If a brother be overtaken in a fault, let you who are spiritual restore such an one…” “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ…” And on, and on.
Sure, some will come with condemnation rather than restoration, but even in the words of criticism we can surely find a sliver of truth to improve us.
The danger in “Don’t judge me” is the waning concern for our personal growth and maturity, the swelling tide of justification for our sinfulness or brokenness, and the growing cynicism toward those who care for our soul.
The spirit of, “Don’t judge me” unwittingly grows into a more heinous brand of judgmentalism… one that becomes obsessed with finding fault in perceived fault finders. Tearing down those branded as, “self-righteous”, “too good”, or, “holier than thou”.
Unbeknownst to them, “Don’t judge me”, becomes code for, “Don’t help me”, until soon the only people left near them are those who agree to their face and judge them when they leave.
Before proclaiming, “Don’t judge me”, first ask yourself:
1. Are they trying to help me?
2. Is there any truth to what they are saying?
3. How can I use what they’re saying to make myself a better person?
